Causes and Rates of Labour Force Loss due to Nephrological Diseases in Mersin Province: A Single Center Experience

OBJECTIVE: Permanent anatomic and functional medical disorders affect activities of daily living and cause loss of labour force. Disability rates are determined according to the severity of these problems. In this study, we aimed to the investigate frequency and types of nephrological disorders and distribution of patients according to nephrological disability rates among patients who applied for disability evaluation.

MATERIAL and METHODS: 3481 patients who presented to our hospital’s board of health between 2009 and 2013 for evaluation of disability were examined retrospectively. Disability rates were evaluated according to the “Guidelines for Disability Measurement, Classification and Health Committee Reports for Disabled Patients” (Date: 30.3.2013, number: 28603).

RESULTS: 205 patients (5.9%) with identified nephrological disorders were present among a total of 3481 patients who were evaluated for disability between 2009 and 2013. End-stage renal disease requiring dialysis was determined as the most frequent nephrological disorder (37%).

CONCLUSION: Nephrological problems take an important place among disability reasons. End-stage renal disease requiring dialysis is especially important because of its frequency and associated high rate of labour force loss. Prevention, early diagnosis and delaying progression of nephrological disorders could be among strategies to reduce labour force loss.