English summary: DRINKING HABITS AND SICKNESS ABSENCE

Background

The aim of this study was to examine the associations of average alcohol consumption and binge drinking with sickness absence. A further aim was to analyze whether these associations could be explained by socioeconomic status, physical and mental strain at work and health status.

Methods

Data on drinking habits, socioeconomic status, working conditions and health status were obtained from the Helsinki Health Study baseline questionnaire survey conducted in 2000-2002. These data were linked to the employer's registers on sickness absence. The study included 5328 women and 1442 men whose short and long spells of sickness absence were analyzed from the day of returning the questionnaire until the end of 2004. The mean follow-up time was 2,9 years. Poisson regression analysis was used as a method of analysis.

Results

High average consumption was associated with both short and long sickness absence spells. Both non-drinkers and heavy drinkers had more long sickness absence spells than moderate drinkers. Binge drinking was associated with short spells among women and men as well as long spells among women. Mental problems explained part of the excess sickness absence among heavy and binge drinkers. Socioeconomic status among women and men and mental problems among men explained part of excess sickness absence among non-drinkers.

Conclusions

Heavy drinking and binge drinking increased the risk of sickness absence independently of socioeconomic status and working conditions. Mental problems were able to partly explain associations between drinking habits and sickness absence.