@article{ref1,
title="Alcohol consumption, problem drinking, abstention and disability pension award. The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT)",
journal="Addiction",
year="2012",
author="Skogen, Jens Christoffer and Knudsen, Ann Kristin and Mykletun, Arnstein and Nesvåg, Sverre and Overland, Simon",
volume="107",
number="1",
pages="98-108",
abstract="Aims:  To examine associations of abstention, alcohol consumption and problem drinking with subsequent disability pensioning (DP), and whether previous excessive consumption (&quot;sick-quitting&quot;) could explain some of the increased risk for DP among abstainers. Design:  Prospective population-based study. Setting and participants:  Data were from two waves of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) linked with the national insurance database. The two main analyses included 37,729 (alcohol consumption) and 34,666 (problem drinking) participants. Measurements:  Alcohol consumption was measured by self-reported consumption, while problem drinking was assessed by the CAGE-questionnaire. Information on subsequent DP, including diagnosis for which the DP was awarded, was gathered from the national insurance database. Covariates included somatic illness and symptoms, mental health, health-related behaviour, socioeconomic status and social activity. Findings:  Those reporting the highest level of alcohol consumption were not at increased risk for DP (HR1.12, CI95% 0.92-1.38), whereas problem drinking was a strong predictor (HR2.79, CI95% 2.08-3.75) compared to their corresponding reference groups. Alcohol abstainers were also at increased risk for DP, but among them, the previous consumers (HR1.95, CI95% 1.48-2.57) and previous excessive consumers (HR1.67, CI95% 1.01-2.74) were at higher risk for DP than constant abstainers. Conclusions:  Problem drinking is linked to subsequent requirement for a disability pension but mere alcohol consumption is not. This is partly explained by &quot;sick-quitting&quot;.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0965-2140",
doi="10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03551.x",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03551.x"
}