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Disability pension for major depression in Finland
E T Isometsä1, H Katila, T Aro
1Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. erkki.isometsa@ktl.fi
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|November 4, 2000
Summary
Most patients receiving disability pensions for major depression in Finland had comorbid conditions. While many received antidepressants, few accessed established non-pharmacological treatments like psychotherapy or ECT.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Social Insurance
Background:
- Disability pensions are granted for major depression.
- Understanding pre-pension treatment is crucial for patient care and policy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate treatments received by patients before obtaining a disability pension for major depression.
Main Methods:
- Examined medical statements of 277 individuals granted disability pensions for major depression in Finland (1993-1994).
- Sample drawn from the Social Insurance Institution's Disability Pension Register.
Main Results:
- Pension eligibility statements were primarily written by psychiatrists (92%).
- Comorbid mental or somatic disorders contributed to disability in two-thirds of cases.
- Antidepressant medication was prescribed to 87% of subjects, but weekly psychotherapy (9%) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) (4%) were rarely utilized.
Conclusions:
- Major depression disability pensions in Finland are often associated with comorbid conditions.
- While pharmacotherapy was common, established non-pharmacological treatments were underutilized before pension receipt.