A recent study by the University of Eastern Finland, the Finnish Social Insurance Institution (Kela), and Monash University in Australia reveals that depression and other mental health disorders result in a greater loss of productivity-adjusted life years (PALYs) than musculoskeletal and cardiovascular diseases. This research marks the first time chronic condition-related PALY loss has been examined at the population level in Finland. The findings were published in Value in Health, a prominent journal in health economics.
PALY is a new measure developed at Monash University that evaluates the impact of diseases on work and daily life. It represents a year of full work and functional capacity, considering both work and home life demands.
The study indicates that mental health issues lead to an annual loss of 99,570 PALYs in the workplace and 256,086 PALYs in home and volunteer activities among Finns aged 18-79. The effect is especially pronounced among women aged 18-34.
In comparison, musculoskeletal diseases cause an annual loss of 67,945 PALYs at work and 198,544 PALYs during leisure time. Cardiovascular diseases result in losses of 55,329 PALYs at work and 143,453 PALYs in leisure.
The study also examined other health conditions, including asthma, diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, migraines, and thyroid disorders. According to Kela, mental health disorders have been the leading cause of sick leave for individuals aged 16-34 for many years. Since 2017, they have also become the primary reason for sick leave among those aged 35-49. An increase in sick leave due to mental health issues has also been noted among those aged 50-67, although musculoskeletal diseases remain the most common cause for this age group.
The research involved 2,187 respondents in 2022, reflecting the Finnish adult population and stratified by age, gender, and hospital district. Participants reported their illnesses and perceived work and functional capacity. The data were extrapolated to represent the entire Finnish adult population using Statistics Finland’s population data. PALYs were estimated based on gender, age group, the prevalence of chronic conditions, and the work and functional capacity impairments caused by these conditions.
Professor Janne Martikainen from the University of Eastern Finland, who led the study, stated, “The productivity-adjusted life year, PALY, offers a new way to analyze the burden of different diseases, especially regarding work and functional capacity. This metric will also enhance our ability to assess the societal benefits of preventive measures and treatments in the future.”
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