Refereed review article in scientific journal (A2)
A systematic review and meta-analysis uncovering the relationship between alcohol consumption and sickness absence. When type of design, data, and sickness absence make a difference
List of Authors: Hashemi Neda S., Skogen Jens Christoffer, Sevic Alexandra, Thørrisen Mikkel Magnus, Rimstad Silje Lill, Sagvaag Hildegunn, Riper Heleen, Aas Randi Wågø
Publisher: Public Library of Science
Publication year: 2022
Journal: PLoS ONE
Journal name in source: PLoS ONE
Volume number: 17
Issue number: 1
eISSN: 1932-6203
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262458
URL: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262458
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/174851421
Aim
Earlier research has revealed a strong relationship between alcohol use and sickness absence. The aim of this review was to explore and uncover this relationship by looking at differences in type of design (cross-sectional vs. longitudinal), type of data (self-reported vs. registered data), and type of sickness absence (long-term vs. short term).
Method
Six databases were searched through June 2020. Observational and experimental studies from 1980 to 2020, in English or Scandinavian languages reporting the results of the association between alcohol consumption and sickness absence among working population were included. Quality assessment, and statistical analysis focusing on differences in the likelihood of sickness absence on subgroup levels were performed on each association, not on each study. Differences in the likelihood of sickness absence were analyzed by means of meta-analysis. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42018112078.
Results
Fifty-nine studies (58% longitudinal) including 439,209 employees (min. 43, max. 77,746) from 15 countries were included. Most associations indicating positive and statistically significant results were based on longitudinal data (70%) and confirmed the strong/causal relationship between alcohol use and sickness absence. The meta-analysis included eight studies (ten samples). The increased risk for sickness absence was likely to be found in cross-sectional studies (OR: 8.28, 95% CI: 6.33–10.81), studies using self-reported absence data (OR: 5.16, 95% CI: 3.16–8.45), and those reporting short-term sickness absence (OR: 4.84, 95% CI: 2.73–8.60).
Conclusion
This review supports, but also challenges earlier evidence on the association between alcohol use and sickness absence. Certain types of design, data, and types of sickness absence may produce large effects. Hence, to investigate the actual association between alcohol and sickness absence, research should produce and review longitudinal designed studies using registry data and do subgroup analyses that cover and explain variability of this association.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |  |
