[Utilization of national insurance in connection with functional somatic disorders].

BACKGROUND

Functional somatic disorders are often seen in medical practice. This study describes their financial consequences for the national insurance scheme.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

National Insurance Administration data for the year 2000 were collected on sickness leave and disability pensions for fibromyalgia, whiplash injuries, chronic fatigue syndrome, dissociative and somatoform disorders, functional gastrointestinal disorders, chronic pelvic pain, and non-cardiac chest pain.

RESULTS

Functional somatic disorders caused 2.9% of all sick leave among employees. Most of these were caused by fatigue/exhaustion or fibromyalgia. 6.3% of all new disability pensioners had a functional disorder, two thirds of them fibromyalgia. Functional disorders were more frequent in women, and in the 25-59 age group.

INTERPRETATION

Functional disorders, fibromyalgia especially, are a great concern for the national insurance system. More focus on individual functioning rather than the disorder might contribute to better follow-up for these patients.