[Mortality registries as a source for detecting health disorders probably of occupational etiology]

Study aim was to assess Andalucian death certificate records to find potential occupational disease problems. Methodology proposed by Rutstein (1983) has been adapted. We had checked Seville City Council Mortality Registry (1987-89) and Andalucian Mortality Registry (1975-85). In the former 8.1% of diagnoses and in the latter 8.6% of diagnoses have one included in the Sentinel Health Event (occupational) List. Accurate occupation data in the Seville City Council Mortality provides appropRiate information about occupational diseases. Limitations of the occupational data in the Andalucian Mortality Registries make it impossible to find the majority of potential occupational diseases, and occupation data were even worse during the second period of study (1980-85).