Can diabetes be treated as an indirectly work-related disease?

Abstract

In this article the authors attempted to analyze the arguments for considering diabetes as a work-related disease. An overview of literature has been done out of articles published in the years 1980-2016, with the use of combination of key words referring to employment, workplace, and diabetes. The PubMed database was the source of data. The authors indicate that the following arguments are in favor of diabetes being recognized as a work-related disease: diabetes is not an occupational disease, it is not directly related to the work environment or the way the work is performed, but there are observed adverse effects of occupational work-related nuisances, such as night shift work, long work hours, job strain or workplace standing time, which influence its development and course. The number of publications on diabetes, including the problem of occupational work is comparable to the number of analogous publications concerning work-related diseases such as hypertension or ischemic heart disease. Moreover, some aspects of professional activity and diabetes were also included in clinical recommendations for the workplace, which is uncommon in the case of other diseases, even those generally recognized as work-related. Data from medical references, indicating the effectiveness of workplace interventions aimed at preventing diabetes development and/or worsening of its course should be considered as an argument for the inclusion of diabetes into the group of work-related diseases. This should also support the need for further research and practical actions aimed at preventing diabetes at the workplace. Med Pr 2017;68(5):667-675.

The level of knowledge of diabetic prevention in Poland – is there a phenomenon of pluralistic ignorance?

“…The analyses indicated that the risk of a lack of knowledge about how to prevent diabetes was higher in men, as well as in people with a low level of education, not married, without obesity, non-diabetic and without diag-betes do not admit their illness, do not use their benefits in the workplace (shorter daily working hours and longer holidays), and accept working conditions that can negatively affect the process of the disease [23]. Meanwhile, both international and Polish recommendations suggest that diabetes cannot be the cause of discrimination or unequal treatment in the workplace, and that occupational restrictions should be considered on a case-by-case basis [24]. Occupational activity of people suffering from diabetes not only guarantees them and their families financial stability, but also affects their mental health, gives a sense of value and independence, as well as helps to maintain social relationships.…”

“…People working at night, often taking overtime, having sedentary work or exposed to permanent stress in the workplace are at a higher risk of developing diabetes. It, therefore, underlines the need for diabetes screening among people at risk of occupational nuisance, as well as the need for education aimed at modifying the lifestyles of office workers, including greater physical activity and weight reduction, reduction of stressors, improved psychosocial conditions, as well as access to healthy food and opportunities for walking breaks in the workplace [24]. Given the social, economic and health-related costs of diabetes, the low level of knowledge about how to prevent diabetes and its consequences in the Polish society may be a concern.…”