Changes in the prevalence of disability pension in Iceland 1976-1996

AIMS: The objectives were to determine changes in the prevalence of disability pension in Iceland and its distribution according to gender, age, and main diagnoses. METHODS: The study includes all persons receiving either full or partial disability pension in 1976 and 1996. The age-standardized risk ratio between the years 1976 and 1996 was calculated for all disability pensions and for full disability pension only. RESULTS: The prevalence of all disability pensions decreased significantly among both men and women in 1996 as compared with 1976. When the figures were disaggregated, however, theyrevealed an increased risk of full disability pension and a decreased risk of partial disability pension. Th e prevalence of full disability pension had increased in most disease categories. CONCLUSION: The decreased prevalence of disability pension in 1996 as compared with 1976 is noteworthy, as unemployment was increasing during the years immediately preceding 1996. It seems likely, however, that the decrease of partial disability pension and increase of full disability pension is a reflection of increased competition for work in the labour market as well as increased attractiveness of full disability pension due to new supplementary sickness insurance benefits linked to full disability pension.