STODS: the Swedish Twin project Of Disability pension and Sickness absence

STODS was started in 2008, aiming to investigate risk factors and consequences of sickness absence and disability pensions. Special focus is on musculoskeletal and mental diagnoses, which accounts for approximately 70% of all sickness absence. By combining twin methodology and sickness insurance research methods, a unique possibility is given to adjust for and examine genetic and environmental factors of importance for sickness absence and disability pension. Several studies have been conducted, others are in progress. The project are collaborating with researchers in Helsinki and Olso where similar work on disability pension is carried out. A network including also Denmark and Norway was established during 2012 (NorTwinDiSA), focusing on sickness absence research using Nordic twin settings. Purpose: The overall objective of the STODS (Swedish Twin project of Disability pension and Sickness absence) is to investigate the importance of genetic and environmental/psychosocial factors for sickness absence and for disability pension in a nationwide, population-based twin sample.