Sickness absence in the working age population: a retrospective cohort study using primary care health record data
BMC Public Health We use primary care records for 10 million adults aged 18–65 in England to measure sickness absence from the fit notes issued in primary care. Age-standardised fit note rates were 23.5 per 100 person-years in 2017–19 and 24.0 in the late pandemic period (March 2022 to February 2023), with depression and anxiety the leading diagnoses associated with fit note provision. The estimated annual cost of sickness absence rose from around £13.3bn to £15.9bn.