[Limitations in using international occupational disease statistics for comparative analysis].

Abstract

The comparability of international statistical data on the incidence of occupational disease is discussed. The examples of some countries served to present the reasons why the relevant data available in publications cannot be often used as a frame of reference to comparative studies. The problem results mainly from different definitions of the term "occupational disease" as they frequently include in their context also these pathologies which are numbered among work-related diseases. In addition, the authors highlighted the steps undertaken by international organizations (World Health Organization, International Labour Organization, and European Union) to unify both the diagnostic procedures and the system of collecting and publishing of statistical data on occupational diseases.