According to a comprehensive study conducted by the University of Eastern Finland, the Finnish Social Insurance Institution (Kela), and Monash University in Australia, depression and other mental health conditions significantly reduce productivity-adjusted life years (PALYs) more than musculoskeletal and cardiovascular diseases. This groundbreaking research marks the first time the loss of PALYs due to chronic conditions has been assessed at the population level in Finland. The findings were reported in the prestigious journal Value in Health, known for its contributions to the field of health economics.
PALYs, an innovative metric devised at Monash University, measures the impact of diseases on work and functional ability, accounting for the requirements of both professional and domestic life. The metric reflects a year lived in complete working and functional health.
The recent findings reveal that annually, depression and other mental health disorders account for a loss of 99,570 PALYs in the workplace and 256,086 in domestic and volunteer activities among Finnish individuals aged 18–79. This significant toll is particularly pronounced in women aged 18–34. In comparison, musculoskeletal conditions lead to 67,945 PALYs lost annually in professional settings and 198,544 in leisure activities. Cardiovascular diseases cause a loss 55,329 in the workplace and 143,453 in leisure activities yearly. The study also looked at other chronic conditions, including asthma, diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, migraines, and thyroid disorders.
In Finland, mental health issues have historically been the leading cause of sick leave among individuals aged 16–34, as reported by Kela. Since 2017, these conditions have also topped the list for those aged 35–49. Although an increase in mental health-related sick leave is observed in those aged 50–67, musculoskeletal diseases remain predominant in this older age bracket.
Senior Researcher Piia Lavikainen from the University of Eastern Finland highlights that the rising number of PALYs lost due to depression and mental health concerns among young adults could reflect better disease diagnosis and decreasing stigma. However, it may also signify the escalating work pressures and social media’s influence.
The study utilised a representative sample of 2,187 individuals from the Finnish adult population in 2022, stratified by age, gender, and hospital district. Participants were surveyed about their health conditions and their perceived work and functional capacity. Using Statistics Finland’s demographic data, these responses were extrapolated to estimate PALYs across the adult population, considering the prevalence of chronic conditions and their impact on work and life functionalities.
Professor Janne Martikainen from the University of Eastern Finland, who led the study, emphasised that the PALY metric not only illuminates the burden of various diseases but also aids in evaluating the societal advantages of preventive strategies and treatments. This approach promises to enhance future healthcare policies by focusing on the practical capacities affected by illnesses.
More information: Piia Lavikainen et al, The Impact of Chronic Conditions on Productivity-Adjusted Life-Years in Both the Workplace and Household Settings in the General Adult Population in Finland, Value in Health. DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2024.09.017
Journal information: Value in Health Provided by University of Eastern Finland
