Emplyment status of patients with diagnosed occupational diesase: preliminary data

Sa？etak SUMMARY: The aim of this study was to analyze the cases of diagnosed occupational disease (OD) in the Occupational Medicine of the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health Ltd. for a period 2010 to 2014. A review of archived data and voluntary telephone survey for collecting data about the employment status of patients after diagnosed OD were performed. In the period 2010 to 2014, OD was diagnosed in 55 patients. The most often diagnosed were skin OD (N=19), arm overuse syndromes (N=17), asthma and rhinitis (N=10). The most common skin OD was allergic contact dermatitis (N=15), most frequently found in hairdressers (N=5). Carpal tunnel sindrome was the most common overuse syndrome (N=15), most frequently found in textile workers (N=5). Respiratory disorders were most common in health care workers (N=3). Telephone survey was answered by 46 patients. After the diagnosed OD, 21 (46%) patients were employed by the same or another employer: the change of workplace occurred in 14 (30%) patients, in 1 case after retraining, while 7 (15%) patients are still working at the same workplace. Twelve (26%) patients were retired after diagnosed OD: 11 with disability pension or early retirement. Thirteen (28%) patients are unemployed: 11 got fired after diagnosed OD, and the retraining was done in 3 cases. The results indicate an inadequate rehabilitation of workers with diagnosed OD. The change of workplace occurred in only 30% of patients, and retraining in only 4 (9%) cases. The majority of patients are unemployed, retired early or employed at the same workplace that caused OD