title: LOW-BACK PAIN DISORDERS AS OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND 22 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES: COMPARISON OF NATIONAL SYSTEMS, RELATED DIAGNOSES AND EVALUATION CRITERIA.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Low-back pain diseases (LBPD) belong to the most frequent diagnoses determined by general practitioners, and constitute one of the most common reasons for sick leave and permanent disability pension in the Czech Republic and other European countries. Epidemiological studies have shown a statistically significant association between LBPD and certain types of occupational burden. However, in the Czech Republic, LBPD caused by overload and/or whole-body vibrations have not yet been included in the list of occupational diseases. The aim of this study was to collect and compare the systems, criteria and diagnoses used to recognize LBPD as occupational diseases in other European countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire focused on LBPD was distributed and answered by specialists in occupational diseases in European countries. It included items concerning LBPD in the national list of occupational diseases, and work-related and diagnostic criteria that need to be fulfilled for recognizing LBPD as occupational diseases and possible awarding compensations to the patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 13 countries out of the 23 countries studied, LBPD caused by overload can be recognized as occupational, providing that the diagnosis is sufficiently proven and exposure criteria and/or listed occupation are met and duration of exposure is confirmed (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Macedonia, Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, and Switzerland). LBPD due to vibrations can be also recognized as occupational in 14 countries. In 8 countries LBPD are not accepted as occupational unless they are caused by an injury at work. Specific criteria to evaluate occupational exposure of patients with LBPD were set in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Lithuania, Macedonia, Netherlands, and Slovakia. In other countries, the evaluation is done at an individual basis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In practice, the assessment of occupational overload and its contribution to the development of LBPD as well as its inclusion in the compensation system are important for several reasons. Firstly, it may be considered essentially preventable. Secondly, cases with a significant contribution of occupational aetiology may be viewed as occupational diseases for which compensation may be claimed, as it is the case in many European countries. Importantly, inclusion of LBPD in the list of occupational diseases or another system of compensation may be viewed as a preventive measure as it increases the visibility of this problem not only for the workers, but especially for the employers.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laštovková
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakládalová
authors.forename: Zdenka
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fenclová
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Urban
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gad'ourek
authors.forename: Tomáš
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lebeda
authors.forename: Edvard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ehler
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ridzoň
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hlávková
authors.forename: Alena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boriková
authors.forename: P Paul F M
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Kuijer
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bátora
authors.forename: Stefan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Scholz-Odermatt
authors.forename: Horatiu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Moldovan
authors.forename: Lode
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Godderis
authors.forename: Ola
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Leijon
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Campo
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vaněčková
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bonneterre
authors.forename: Elisaveta Jasna
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Stikova
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pelclová
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D018153:Czech Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D017770:Lifting; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009790:Occupations; D011159:Population Surveillance; D018582:Sick Leave; D014732:Vibration