Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and early exit from paid employment in Europe; the impact of work-related factors

•CVD or diabetes was associated with early exit from paid employment.•Early exit occurred mainly by disability benefits and early retirement.•Unfavorable work-related factors further increased the probability of early exit.•Optimizing psychosocial work-factors could help to maintain the ability to work.

Background/objectives: The aims of the study were to examine (i) the association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) or diabetes and exit from paid employment via disability benefits, unemployment, early retirement or other exit routes; and (ii) the impact of work-related factors on exit from paid employment among individuals with CVD or diabetes.Methods: Respondents of the longitudinal Survey of Health and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) were included if they were aged > 50 years, had paid employment at baseline, and a known employment status after 2 or 6 years (n = 5182). A baseline-interview provided information on the presence of diagnosed CVD and diabetes, and physical and psychosocial work-related factors. During follow-up interviews information on work status was collected. Multinomial regression analyses were used to investigate the association between CVD, diabetes and exit from paid employment, and the impact of work-related factors.Results: Workers with CVD or diabetes had significantly increased probabilities of disability benefits (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.69-3.70) and early retirement (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.05-1.74), but a comparable probability of unemployment (OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.71-1.71). Regarding disability benefits, individuals who had a stroke had the highest probability (OR 3.48, 95% CI 1.31-9.23). Perceived high job demands with low rewards or with low control at work further increased the probability of early exit among individuals with CVD or diabetes.Conclusions: Our study shows a prominent role of CVD and diabetes in premature losses to the workforce, and it shows that optimizing psychosocial work-related factors could be beneficial in people with CVD or diabetes.