Increased overall and cause‐specific mortality associated with disability among workers’ compensation claimants with low back injuries

Background Mortality tends to be higher among people who do not work than among workers, but the impact of work‐related disability on mortality has not been well studied. Methods The vital status through 2015 was ascertained for 14 219 workers with an accepted workers’ compensation claim in West Virginia for a low back injury in 1998 or 1999. Mortality among the cohort compared with the West Virginia general population was assessed using standard life table techniques. Associations of mortality and disability‐related factors within the cohort were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results Compared to the general population, mortality from accidental poisoning was significantly elevated among the overall cohort and lost‐time claimants. Most deaths from accidental poisoning in the cohort were due to drug overdoses involving opioids. Mortality from intentional self‐harm was also significantly elevated among lost‐time claimants. In internal analyses, overall mortality and mortality from cancer, heart disease, intentional self‐harm, and drug overdoses involving opioids was significantly associated with lost time. Overall mortality and mortality from drug overdoses involving opioids were also significantly associated with amount of lost time, permanent partial disability, and percent permanent disability. Heart disease mortality was also significantly associated with the amount of lost time. Conclusions The results suggest that disability itself may impact mortality risks. If confirmed, these results reinforce the importance of return to work and other efforts to reduce disability.