Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the associations of the Risk Index Disability Pension (RI-DP), which was calculated from administrative data, with intended disability pension claims and other health- and work-related characteristics.
Material and methods: Insured persons of the Federal German Pension Insurance were surveyed by questionnaire in 2013. Questionnaire data were additionally linked to administrative data. The gross sample was restricted to persons, who received sick leave benefits in the previous year while not claiming or utilizing any rehabilitation services for the previous 4 years.
Results: 1,261 men and 1,495 women were included in the analyses. The odds of an intended disability pension claim were 4.8-times higher in men and 3.4-times higher in women if RI-DP scores were high. Furthermore, high RI-DP scores were also associated with frequent disability days, poor self-rated work ability and frequent visits to physicians.
Discussion: The associations of the RI-DP with the examined characteristics imply that administrative data could support early identification of rehabilitation needs.
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