[Prevalence of symptoms in selected diagnostic groups in teachers]

In the context of occupational medical screening, teachers in the age groups up to, and older than, 45, were examined under a standardized medical programme in 1987 (22,240) and in 1988 (25,934). The relative risk within these groups for various illnesses was compared with data from investigations with other workers also examined in the former German Democratic Republic (over 400,000 yearly). As was the case for other occupational groups, the most frequently occurring symptoms were related to the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. Teachers in both age categories showed a higher risk for illnesses of the nervous system, especially psychic disturbances and neurosis, and kidney and bladder diseases; male teachers showed a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases, and female teachers for diseases of the respiratory system. Elevated relative risks were already apparent in the group up to 45 years; for diseases of the nervous system the risk increased even further in subjects in the older age category. The proportion of persons overweight was, among female teachers, markedly smaller than in other groups.