P-002 All-Cause Disability Pension Is Independently Associated With Physical Workload and Low Job Control

Introduction We investigated job control and physical workload as determinants for labour market exit in a series of studies. Methods A cohort of 1.8 million men and women aged 44-63 years living in Sweden in 2005 were followed regarding all-cause disability pension (DP) 2006-2016. Physical workload and job control were estimated through gender-specific job-exposure matrices (JEMs), linked to the occupational titles in 2005. Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression models estimated hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results DP was incrementally associated with physical workload. For the 5th quintile the HRs (CIs) were for men 2.11 (2.03–2.19) and for women 1.71 (1.66–1.76). Adjustment for job control attenuated the risk (5th quintile: men 1.56 (1.48 -- 1.64), women 1.31 (1.26 -- 1.36), but the increment remained significantly increased risks from the 3rd quintile. Similarly, all quintiles measuring lower job control showed an increased risk for DP as compared with high job control (lowest quintile: men 1.66 (1.60-1.73), women 1.36 (1.32-1.40), with adjustment for physical workload. Workers with high physical workload (N=372 219) shifting to lower load, experienced a decremental risk of DP (shift high to low: men 0.50 (0.36 -- 0.69), women 0.53 (0.38 -- 0.70). Discussion While study strengths are registry-based data, cohort size and completeness of follow-up, the effects are likely underestimated by not considering the full occupational history and variation in exposure within occupational groups. Conclusion Measures to increase job control and reduce physical workload, as well as opportunities to shift from high to lower physical workload, are likely to reduce exit due to disability among mid-/old-age workers.