Interpersonal sensitivity associated with return to work status following sick leave: A cross-sectional study among Japanese workers with major depressive disorder

AimWe examined the relationship between return to work (RTW) from sick leave (SL) and personality traits in workers with major depressive disorder (MDD).MethodsEighty-eight Japanese individuals with ≥2 weeks of SL episode and with ≥2 months of pharmacotherapy history were assessed. Measurements included Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), Neuroticism, and Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM). Multivariate analyses were conducted to clarify the association between personality traits and RTW status. In order to minimize the state effect of depressive symptoms to personality traits, we performed an additional analysis among a subgroup of subjects in remission (HAM-D ≤7).ResultsThirty-seven subjects (42.0%) had returned to work. Among whole subjects, factors associated with RTW status were: shorter SL duration in the past 5 years, longer treatment duration of the recent major depressive episode, HAM-D ≤7, and IPSM ≤94. In the subgroup of remission subjects (n = 53), factors associated with RTW status were: IPSM ≤94, no comorbid current anxiety disorder, and shorter SL duration in the past 5 years.ConclusionsLow interpersonal sensitivity, along with depression remission, was associated with post-SL RTW status among workers with MDD.

► This study recruited 88 depressed workers who had returned to work following sick leaves. ► The relationships between their depression severity, interpersonal sensitivity, and return to work status were analyzed. ► Those that maintained return to work status (n = 37; 42%) had lower interpersonal sensitivity and lower depression severity. ► Among the remitted subgroup (n = 53), return to work status was associated with their lower interpersonal sensitivity.