RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Physically demanding situations as predictors of disability pensioning with soft tissue rheumatism among persons 30-39 years old in Norway, 1981-90. JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP 1760 OP 1766 VO 29 IS 8 A1 Hilde H Holte A1 Kristian Tambs A1 Tor Bjerkedal YR 2002 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/29/8/1760.abstract AB OBJECTIVE: Physically demanding work is a predictor of disability pensioning with musculoskeletal diseases. Being a parent is probably also physically demanding. Having manual work and being a parent will be analyzed as possible predictors of becoming a disability pensioner with soft tissue rheumatism (DPSTR) after controlling for level of education, employment, number of hours worked, income, age, sex, and marital status. METHODS: In this prospective study based on census data of persons 30-39 years old in 1980, predictors of becoming DPSTR during the followup period 1981-90 were identified by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Manual work was a predictor for becoming DPSTR for both men and women, while being a parent was neither a risk factor nor a protective factor for becoming DPSTR. Being employed was a predictor of becoming DPSTR for married women, but a protective factor for unmarried women and all men. Low level of education and being married or divorced were predictors of becoming DPSTR for both men and women. Working part time and having low income were predictors of becoming DPSTR among men. CONCLUSION: Physically demanding employment, but not a physically demanding private life, predicts becoming DPSTR. This may reflect that factors concerning a patient's private life are not taken into account when evaluating whether or not a disability pension should be granted, at least not for patients with uncertain medical conditions.