Correspondence: Olafur O. Gudmundsson,
olafur.gudmundsson@tr.is

 

Key words: medical certificate, diagnosis, rehabilitation, disability, development

 

Introduction: The proportion of individuals receiving disability or rehabilitation pensions in Iceland has increased significantly since the year 2000. The aim of this study was to analyze the development of medical diagnoses leading to disability or rehabilitation pensions, with a focus on the diagnoses that increased the most, and to assess trends by gender, age, and origin.

Materials and Methods: The study was based on the primary medical diagnoses recorded in disability and rehabilitation pension certificates at the Social Insurance Administration (Tryggingastofnun) in the years 2000, 2012, and 2024. The diagnoses that showed the greatest increase—anxiety and depression, soft tissue disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, obesity, pain, malaise and fatigue, stress and burnout, post-viral fatigue syndrome, and post-Covid conditions (study group)—were compared with all other diagnoses (comparison group). Data were analyzed by age group, gender, and origin according to the National Registry.

Results: The proportion of individuals receiving disability or rehabilitation pensions in Iceland, relative to the population aged 18–66, increased from 6.3% to 9.4% between January 1, 2000, and January 1, 2024. The relative increase in diagnoses within the study group was 179%, compared to a 26% increase in the comparison group. Anxiety, depression, pain disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders were the most common. The largest relative increase in neurodevelopmental disorders occurred in the younger age group, while obesity rose significantly during the last period, particularly among women. Women were the majority in most categories. Proportionally more pension recipients were of Icelandic origin in the younger group but those from outside Europe in the older group.

Conclusion: The steadily increasing proportion of disability and rehabilitation pension recipients calls for greater emphasis on early intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation measures that address health issues leading to reduced work capacity, particularly among younger individuals with mental health problems, pain syndromes, and obesity. Additionally, the rise in diagnoses related to post-viral infections, stress, and burnout highlights the need for specialized interventions.