Occupational diseases in Poland — An overview of current trends

Abstract

Introduction: The number of occupational diseases (OD) recorded in Poland in the 1990's rapidly increased, and the number of recognized cases has steadily decreased until now. Hence, it was decided to demonstrate the trends of selected pathologies which in Poland are "underestimated" in comparison to other countries. The presented data may constitute a basis for further research into the dependence of OD on socio-economic factors. Materials and Methods: Occupational Disease Reporting Forms, completed and sent obligatorily by the state health inspectors to the Central Register of Occupational Diseases were used as source documents for analysis. This work analyzes changes in the incidence of chronic poisonings, asbestosis, voice organ diseases, cancers, viral hepatitis, asthma and the musculoskeletal disorders over the years 1998-2011. Results: In 1998, the total number of registered diseases reached the maximum -12,017 cases, which fell in the subsequent years to 2,562 cases in 2011. During that period, the incidence rate decreased by 6 cases per year per 100,000 employees. A considerable decrease, exceeding 90% of cases, was observed in voice organ disorders, hearing loss, chronic poisonings and viral hepatitis. The abovementioned changes, as well as improved detection of asbestos-related diseases through implementing a medical examination program of former asbestos processing plant workers, are advantages of the current situation in the epidemiology of OD. However, the disadvantages include underestimation, in comparison to other countries, of asthma, cancer and pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Conclusion: The reported data indicates the need to assess the occupational fraction of the underestimated pathologies present in the work environment in Poland, as well as the need for studies aimed at clarifying the effect of systemic factors on identifying their occupational background.

Worldwide trends in incidence in occupational allergy and asthma

“…In Poland, recognized claims for occupational asthma have significantly declined by around 20 cases per year from 1998 to 2011 (reducing from 2.7 to 0.5 cases per 100 000 employees) [23]. German compensation data show a declining trend in recognized allergic respiratory disease from 1995 to 2014 [24,25] and an increase in notifications for extrinsic allergic alveolitis over the same time period, but few were recognized [24].…”

Risk of occupational exposure to the HBV infection in non-clinical healthcare personnel

“…The introduction of the hepatitis B vaccination in the late 1980s contributed to a significant decline in the HBV infection rates in the case of the healthcare personnel. However, hepatitis B remains one of the most commonly reported occupational diseases among the HCWs [1]. In 2012 it accounted for 15.7% of all cases of hepatitis recognized as an occupational disease in Poland [2].…”

Changes in occupational asthma during four decades in Slovakia, Central Europe

“…Baker's asthma belongs to the most common forms of OA; therefore, there is relatively more knowledge about it also among non-occupational medical doctors. Several types of flour and additives could induce OA in the food industry with flour commonly described as the most frequent/common etiological factor responsible for OA [24][25][26][27]. However, in the last few years, fewer cases of flour-induced OA have been recorded, compared to the situation in the past [7,9].…”

“…In Poland, which borders with Slovakia, betweeen 1998-2011, a significant decline was observed. This could have been caused by the lack of strategies for identification of potential allergenic factors, and the lack of standardized diagnostic methods and surveillance systems [27].…”