[Compensation for occupational diseases after tomodensitometry screening for benign pleuro-pulmonary disease in a multiregional post-occupational medical surveillance program of asbestos-exposed retired workers].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Underreporting of occupational diseases related to asbestos exposure remains a matter of concern in France. The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of claims for compensation for asbestos-related non-malignant pulmonary or pleural occupational disease in subjects having undergone a chest CT-scan in a multiregional screening programme.

METHODS:

Among the 5444 voluntary retired asbestos-exposed subjects recruited in four regions between 2003 and 2005 who had undergone a chest CT-scan, the number of claims for compensation for an asbestos-related pulmonary or pleural benign disease was analysed in 2006 and 2010.

RESULTS:

Following CT-scan screening, 17.2% of participants were acknowledged as presenting with an asbestos-related non-malignant occupational disease, essentially pleural plaques, by the French National Health Insurance fund. Underreporting decreased as duration of follow-up after CT-scan increased. Nevertheless, 4 years after CT-scan, underreporting was still as high as 36% for subjects identified as presenting with pleural plaques. Mean duration between the date of CT-scan and the date of recognition as occupational disease was 7.4 months, shorter in cases where screening was coordinated by specialized centres.

CONCLUSION:

A plan of action for an easier claiming process for compensation of asbestos-related diseases is desired. This could probably be obtained through improved sensitization of physicians engaged in the follow-up of asbestos-exposed subjects, and by standardization of the interpretation and reporting of asbestos-related abnormalities observed on chest CT-scans.

• Authors: A Gislard, E Schorle, M Letourneux, J Ameille, P Brochard, B Clin, F Conso, F Laurent, A Luc, C Paris, J-C Pairon
• Journal: Revue d'epidemiologie et de sante publique (Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique) Vol. 61 Issue 1 Pg. 11-20 (Feb 2013) ISSN: 0398-7620 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Déclaration et reconnaissance en maladie professionnelle après dépistage tomodensitométrique de maladies pleuropulmonaires bénignes dans le programme multirégional de surveillance postprofessionnelle de personnes exposées à l'amiante.
• PMID: 23332691 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Asbestos

Topics

• Aged
• Asbestos (adverse effects)
• Asbestosis (diagnostic imaging, economics, epidemiology, etiology)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• France (epidemiology)
• Humans
• Lung Diseases (diagnostic imaging, economics, epidemiology, etiology)
• Male
• Mass Chest X-Ray
• Middle Aged
• Occupational Exposure (adverse effects)
• Pleural Diseases (diagnostic imaging, economics, epidemiology, etiology)
• Population Surveillance (methods)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Workers' Compensation (statistics & numerical data)