Abstract:
Background. Observed occupational diseases vary over the years, due to changes in technological cycles, tasks and related risks. Objective of the study. To define the current characteristics of work-caused diseases in Italy. Material and methods. Case record analysis of occupational diseases diagnosed at our clinic from 2019 to 2023. Results. The record includes 119 cases: 82 males and 37 females; age: 30-84 years (average: 59.5). From 1982 to 2023, various body systems showed differing case numbers across seven periods. The respiratory system had the highest cases initially (589 in 1982-1988), dropping to 19 by 2019-2023. Hearing issues peaked (735 in 1989-1995), then declined to 7. The locomotor system saw a significant rise, reaching 96 cases by 2011-2018. Cardiovascular cases were notable
early (240 in 1989-1995) but nearly vanished by 2001. Digestive and hematopoietic issues remained consistently low. Overall, total cases decreased from 1801 in 1982-1988 to 119 in 2019-2023, reflecting changes in health trends and medical advancements. Compared to the past, the number of diagnoses is lower. We observed a decrease in the diseases affecting the respiratory, musculoskeletal, auditory, and central nervous systems. Conclusion. Trend towards a progressive reduction in the number of occupational diseases diagnosed in Italian hospitals, likely expression of the improvement in hygienic conditions of working environments.