Long term disability and mental disorders: a prospective cohort study with 1-year follow-up (PREDIS)

Summary:

The research design is a prospective cohort study among 1150 persons claiming disability benefit after 2-year sickness absence at the Dutch Implementing Institute Employee Insurances (UWV) in Groningen, a northern province of the Netherlands, with a follow-up period of one year. Procedures have been pilot tested. Inclusion and data collection start in October 2008. The functioning, disability, return to work, car utilization, coping strategies and social support are measured at two moments, at baseline (t0) and after one year (t1). Participants with a good prognosis of recovery of health and functioning are measured at a variable moment (tvar) between t0 and t1. Mental disorders specified at t0 will be evaluated with a structured psychiatric interview at t1 (and at tvar, depending on prognosis). Mental disorders developing during follow-up will be detected after screening at t1 (and at tvar, depending on prognosis). The validity, reliability and optimal cut-off value of screening instruments will be determined by ROC-analysis at t0 against the structured psychiatric diagnostic interview as external criterion.