Occupational and work-related disease underestimated and linked to temporary disability through Primary Health Care Services.

AIM: To estimate the occupational disease linked to temporary incapacity (not work-related illness).

BACKGROUND: The under-reporting of occupational disease is a recognized problem in Europe.

METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in Spanish adult population using periods of temporary incapacity recorded in primary care during 2015. Rates of occupational disease were estimated using the García & Gadea study.

RESULTS: A total of 130,771 episodes of temporary incapacity were studied from 91,448 people, and 56,092 were women (61.3%). The overall prevalence rate was 2,096 and was higher in women (2,504) than in men (1,665) (p < 0.001). It was estimated that 6,580 (7.2%) could be suffering from an occupational disease. Musculoskeletal complaints were the commonest, affecting 75,165 people (82.2%). For the binary logistic regression, the dependent variable was the existence or lack of incapacity due to a musculoskeletal pathology. Age acts as a protective factor (adjusted OR = 0.978). The periods off work due to musculoskeletal complaints are lower in the first quarter of the year [OR > 1; p < 0.001].

CONCLUSIONS: 7.2% of the population was estimated to be off work due to an occupational disease. This estimate reflects the well-known under-reporting of occupational diseases which are dealt with by the Public Health System instead of specialized clinics.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The interdisciplinary role of the occupational health nurse makes it an adequate professional to detect the cases of occupational diseases in primary care settings. Occupational Health Nursing has been recognized by the managers as the most suitable professionals to carry out the screening of occupational diseases in Primary Care.