Trajectories of CVD medication after statutory retirement: contributions of pre-retirement sociodemographic, work and health-related factors: a register study in Finland

Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are prevalent in older people, but few studies focus on developmental patterns in CVD medication directly after transition to statutory retirement. We thus aimed to identify trajectories of CVD medication after retirement, and their sociodemographic, work and health-related determinants. Methods We used complete register data of former employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland. All who reached their statutory retirement in 2000–2013, with five-year follow-up data ( n = 6,505, 73% women), were included. Trajectories of CVD medication were identified with group-based trajectory modelling using data from Finnish Social Insurance Institution’s reimbursement register. Sociodemographic, work and health-related determinants of trajectory group membership were analysed using multinomial logistic regression. Results Six trajectories of CVD medication were distinguished: "constant low" (35%), “late increase” (6%), “early increase” (5%), "constant high" (39%), "high and decreasing " (8%), and "low and decreasing” (7%). The majority (74%) of the retirees fell into the "constant low" and "constant high" categories. Lower occupational class and increased pre-retirement sickness absence were associated with the "constant high" trajectory. Further, those with lower educational attainment were more prone to be in the “early increase” trajectory. Conclusions Individuals in lower socioeconomic positions or with a higher number of pre-retirement sickness absence may be considered at higher risk and might benefit from early interventions, e.g. lifestyle interventions and interventions targeting working conditions, or more frequent monitoring.