Individuals Diagnosed with Occupational Diseases in the Last Three Years at the Occupational and Industrial Diseases Outpatient Clinic of a Training and Research Hospital, Problems Encountered in the Diagnosis of Occupational Diseases

Objective: Reporting data on occupational diseases is important for developing prevention strategies. In our country, the number of occupational disease reports remains lower than expected due to the compensation-based system. The number of occupational diseases in our country is higher than reported. Unreported job related diseases also negatively affect an individual’s health and work. We evaluated occupational diseases and job related illnesses based on information from patients who applied to our occupational diseases clinic over the past three years.Methods: This research is a descriptive study. Information from patients who visited the Occupational and Industrial Diseases Polyclinic of Sakarya Training and Research Hospital between April 1, 2023, and February 28, 2026, was analyzed. The study was conducted retrospectively using information obtained from patient files. The files of 396 individuals have been examined.Results: Of the 396 individuals, 314 were male and 82 were female. The average age of the 396 individuals was 40.57. Occupational diseases were considered in 146 individuals who applied with a referral from the Social Security Institution (SGK) and in 51 individuals who did not receive a referral. In 15 individuals considered to have an occupational disease, a job related illness was also suspected. In 37 individuals who did not have an occupational disease, a job related illness was suspected. Among individuals with occupational diseases, 19.7% had lumbar disc pathology, 19% had cervical disc pathology, 10.6% had shoulder lesions, and 23% had other musculoskeletal disorders.Conclusions: Preventing job related diseases health problems and occupational diseases, promoting health in the workplace, and protecting working capacity are based on data regarding health problems and risks. Therefore, reporting occupational diseases and job related diseases is crucial. By developing a reporting system based on international examples, the reporting of occupational diseases and job related diseases can be increased.