[Epidemiological examinations of peptic ulcer in coal miners. III. The course of peptic ulcer and its effect on work efficiency].

These examinations are based on an individual questionnaire and medicinal documentation of 8302 miners employed in 3-coal mines. In the previous parts an influence of occupational factors and socio-living conditions upon the occurrence of peptic ulcer in miners was presented. At present, on the ground of an analysis of 657 cases of peptic ulcer found among the examined population, considerable differences in the course of the disease in individual employed groups were found. In underground miners the cases with frequent recurrences were more frequent, compared with the staff employed on the surface. The amount of sick leaves caused by peptic ulcer was five times greater; the rate of absenteeism was the greatest. Recent cases (lasting no longer than 5 years), prevailed. Among the surface workers, as opposed to the under-round staff, almost all the cases of peptic ulcer called for hospital treatment. The percentage of chronic cases was much greater, the amount of complications and operations was twice as great. Sickness absenteeism caused both by peptic ulcer and other diseases was incresed. Hence it is evident that the work underground is too strenuous for those suffering from gastric ulcer and the miners with a heavy course of the disease most probably change the work i.e. they are transferred to the surface.