[Disability pensions in Nordreisa in 1980-87]

During the years 1980-87 a total of 287 persons received disability pensions in the municipality of Nordreisa in northern Norway. The incidence rate among men increased to 2.1% of all economically active men aged 16-66 years in 1984 with a subsequent decrease to 0.8% in 1987. The incidence rate among women increased slowly during the whole period. In the males a strong correlation was found between incidence of disability pension and unemployment the year before. Inter-observer validation of the diagnoses showed considerable discrepancies between the evaluations of two independent doctors and between the local doctor and the official statistics.