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Phlebologie 2019; 48(02): 103-111
DOI: 10.1055/a-0852-0088
Originalartikel
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Age- and occupation-dependent differences in sick leave due to varicose veins in the lower extremities

Article in several languages: deutsch | English
Claudia Brendler
1   Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin, Berlin
2   Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health
,
Falk Liebers
1   Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin, Berlin
,
Jacqueline Müller-Nordhorn
2   Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health
3   Bayerisches Krebsregister, Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit
,
Ute Latza
1   Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin, Berlin
2   Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

08 May 2018

02 August 2018

Publication Date:
10 April 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Aim/Background Sick leave caused by venous diseases occurs frequently. The occurrence of such sick leave events depends on occupational requirements. The aim is to clarify whether occupation specific differences in the incidence of sick leave events due to the ICD-diagnosis “varicose veins of lower extremities” vary depending on age.

Methods The study is based on secondary analysis of sick leave data from almost all German statutory health insurance providers in 2008. The database consists of sex-stratified aggregated data of 26.2 million compulsorily insured. The number of sick leave events stratified by sex and age were calculated. Indirectly standardized morbidity ratios for the events of sick leave stratified by age and occupational group were estimated.

Results Employees in manufacturing occupations with lower and medium skill level are especially often on sick leave because of varicose veins. In both genders, we found in all age groups at least one and a half as many sickness absences cases of varicose veins as in qualified sales and administrative occupations (reference group). In the age group of 33–44 year olds, employees in the lower qualified administrative occupations were one and a half time on sick leave as in the reference group. Variations of effects due to age were found.

Discussion/Conclusion As more elderly employees are to be expected in the future (postponement of retirement, improved medical care, increases in the share of older people among gainfully employed persons prevention in the workplace should be strengthened (also in the context of preventive health care). A specific emphasis should be laid on production occupations and low skilled occupations.

Key words

varicosse veins - occupation - sick leave - age