Disqualified for disability pension – a case/referent study

OBJECTIVES: To analyse medical and other determinants for decisions about rejection or acceptance of applications for disability pension. METHODS: A register-based retrospective case-control study was carried out in the area of a county in mid-Sweden. Cases were all individuals rejected a full disability pension 1999-2000, in all 99 cases. Controls were every tenth person granted a full disability pension during the same period, 198 individuals. Determinants were recorded from the protocols at the Social Insurance Office. RESULTS: Unemployment (OR=7.1, CI=3.1 - 16.4), living in the main municipality, (OR=2.8, CI=1.4 - 5.8) and age below 50 years (OR=0.4, CI=0.2 - 0.8) were determinants for rejection of disability pension. Medical status, as described in the Social Insurance act, had no association with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: There appear to be variations in praxis of rejection of applicants between Social Insurance boards in different geographical areas due to reasons other than medical. Socio-economic situation of the applicant may have an influence. Established criteria for determining work ability are needed.