[How frequent are cardiovascular diseases a cause of work absenteeism and of disability in Switzerland?].

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries, and also in Switzerland. In 2004/2005, CVD were in first line of all medical diagnosis by primary care physicians (12.4%) and of all causes of hospitalisation (9.6%). However, statistical data of work incapacity and disability related to CVD remain still insufficient. Based on medical publications and official Swiss statistics, CVD accountedfor only 2.3% among all medical causes of sickness certification for > 6 days established by primary care physicians in patients aged 15 to 64 years. Furthermore in 2006, CVD were involved only in 2.5% of women and 5.5% of men receiving a pension of Swiss disability insurance. Between 1987 and 2006, the proportion of diagnosis of CVD at medical office decreased from 14.6 to 12.4% (-15%), while during the same period, the reduction of the proportion of disability pension was more pronounced, from 9.6 to 4.1% (-57%). The magnitude of these changes reinforce the need for more detailed statistical data in order to evaluate the appropriateness between the expenditures devoted to the prevention and the therapy of CVD, and the economical consequences on work absenteeism and disability.