[Absence from work as an indicator of health: significance, measures and conditions for use]

This paper discusses the use of absence from work for health reasons and particularly absence of long duration as a non specific morbidity indicator in studies of occupational health. Until now, absence has been neglected by occupational health researchers because of methodological problems. The aim of this paper is to show when and how this indicator may be appropriately used. First, absence is discussed in the context of non specific morbidity. Secondly, different conceptions of and approaches to absence are reviewed with a special accent on absence for health reasons. Finally, methodological precautions for the use of the indicator in epidemiological studies are emphasized.