Labor market effects of rehabilitation for patients diagnosed with dizziness - a Danish nationwide register-based cohort study.

PURPOSE

Both vestibular neuronitis (VN) and Meniere's disease (MD) have great impact on quality of life and are associated with a significant number of sick leave days absent from work. The aim was to assess labor market participation rate one year after hospital diagnosis of VN and MD and the use of rehabilitation measures.

STUDY DESIGN

Nationwide register-based cohort study including patients with VN (n = 1,341) and MD (n = 843) and control persons matched in 1:5 with a VN cohort control (n = 6,683) and MD cohort control (n = 4,209).

RESULTS

Compared to control persons, VN patients were more likely to be single, have higher income, and a higher Charlson comorbidity index score. MD patients had a higher level of education and a higher Charlson index compared to control persons. One year after patients were diagnosed with VN, no significant difference in labor market participation was observed (p = 0.88). However, MD patients had a 10.4% reduced probability of possessing a full-time job one year after diagnosis compared to matched control persons (58.1 ± 0.5% vs. 68.5 ± 0.5%, p < 0.001). Both VN and MD patients consulted otorhinolaryngologists, general practitioners, and physiotherapists more than control persons both before and after the initial diagnosis (p < 0.01). In addition, MD patients also consulted psychologists more frequently before and after diagnosis of the disease (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Intrahospital diagnosed MD increases the risk of leaving the labor market in opposition to VN. Both MD and VN are associated with significant expenses to the Danish health care system from the use of public rehabilitation measures and medical consultations.