[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.