[Long-term sick-leave patients in Oslo. A follow-up study]

A follow up study of 395 patients in Oslo with long-term sickness certificate (certificate II) in September 1989, and having been absent from work for more than eight weeks, showed that 52% were on sick leave six months after the doctor's initial certification. At the end of 1990 (the end of the observation period) 43% were still considered unfit for work due to impaired health. A majority of these patients were in receipt of a permanent or semipermanent pension. The most common medical conditions causing long-term sick leave were musculo-skeletal complaints and mental disorders, usually anxiety states or depression. The health authorities introduced the long-term sickness certificate with the intention of deciding plans for treatment, and for social and vocational rehabilitation as early as possible during the period of sickness. Our findings indicate that these certificates are of limited value as regards the intention to reduce permanent vocational disability.