Diabetes sickness
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Diabetes and Sickness Absence: Analyzing the Impact
Introduction to Diabetes and Its Complications
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycemia due to defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. This condition leads to long-term damage and dysfunction of various organs, including the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels . The two primary types of diabetes are Type 1, which involves autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells, and Type 2, which is characterized by insulin resistance and inadequate insulin secretion .
Sickness Absence in Diabetic Employees
General Trends in Sickness Absence
Research indicates that diabetic employees experience higher rates of sickness absence compared to their non-diabetic counterparts. A study conducted in Ljubljana found that diabetic employees had a mean frequency of sickness absence of 0.89 times per year, compared to 0.56 times for non-diabetic employees. Additionally, the mean total duration of sickness absence for diabetic employees was significantly longer, averaging 31.71 days compared to 16.57 days for non-diabetic employees.
Insulin-Treated Diabetic Employees
Further analysis of insulin-treated diabetic employees reveals similar trends. A case-control study showed that while the frequency of sickness absence episodes was comparable between diabetic and non-diabetic employees, the total number of working days lost was significantly higher for diabetic employees (13.3 days per year compared to 5.7 days for non-diabetic employees). The average length of each absence episode was also longer for diabetic employees (5.6 days compared to 2.5 days).
Factors Influencing Sickness Absence
Several factors contribute to the increased sickness absence among diabetic employees. These include the severity of diabetes, the presence of complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy, and the overall management of the disease . Additionally, demographic factors such as age, sex, and occupation also play a role, with males, manual workers, and younger employees under 40 years of age showing higher rates of absence.
Conclusion
Diabetes significantly impacts the ability of employees to maintain consistent attendance at work. Diabetic employees, particularly those requiring insulin treatment, experience more frequent and prolonged sickness absences compared to their non-diabetic peers. Effective management of diabetes and appropriate workplace accommodations are crucial to mitigate these impacts and support diabetic employees in maintaining their productivity and health.
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