Disability from occupational diseases in Greece.

Background: Occupational diseases (ODs) are often under-reported. OD Medical Committees of the Greek Social Security Institute (Idryma Kinonikon Asfaliseon-IKA) are believed to be the only reliable source of data on ODs in Greece.

Aims: To analyse the results of OD Medical Committees of IKA on the claims for OD Disablement Benefit (ODDB) during a 5 year period.

Methods: Two hundred and ninety-nine claims for ODDB were submitted to IKA from 2003 to 2007. These claims were examined on a monthly basis.

Results: One hundred and seventy-one cases of ODs (153 men and 18 women, mean age = 57 +/- 8 years) were recorded (recognition rate = 61%); 125 of these qualified for ODDB (pension rate = 42%). The main diagnosis was allergic contact dermatitis (40% of total cases of ODs), followed by lead toxicity (12%) and asthma (11%). Of the six main diagnoses, the most serious was lead toxicity (mean disability percentage = 59 +/- 19%, n = 21).

Conclusions: This study reveals flaws in the existing system of recognition of ODs in Greece, illustrated mainly by the small number of claims for ODDB. Possible explanations are delays in establishing a new widened list of ODs, lack of a unified recording and notification system, lack of motivation on behalf of the patients and the small number of occupational physicians.