Article

OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency of reported sleeping, depression and pain
problems, the severity of these problems and the degree of self-estimated
difficulties in mental functions and activities in relation to the sleep
disturbance and pain category group in patients on long-term sick-leave. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PATIENTS: A total of 1206 patients experiencing difficulty
in resuming work. METHODS: Patient examinations by specialists in psychiatry,
orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation medicine. Validated questionnaires,
including status regarding depression, sleep, pain and functioning were used.
RESULTS: The prevalence of sleep disturbance was 83%; 74% of the patients with
moderate/severe sleep disturbance also had moderate/severe pain problems and 26%
had no/mild pain problems. Fifty-seven percent of the patients with no/mild sleep
disturbance and 83% of the patients with moderate/ severe sleep disturbance also
had depression. The degree of difficulty in performing the 6 selected
International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health activities and
mental functions was higher for the category with moderate/severe sleep problems,
compared with those with no/mild sleep problems. CONCLUSION: To optimize
rehabilitation for patients on long-term sick-leave experiencing difficulties in
returning to work, the results indicate a need also to focus attention on sleep
problems and not only on pain and depression. This may entail the planning of
measures to improve decision-making and concentration and alleviate lassitude,
fatigability, sadness and pessimistic thoughts.

Langue : ANGLAIS