Comparison of standard procedures of medico-legal evaluation in occupational skin (BK 5101) and occupational airways diseases (BK 4301) in Germany / Is there a need for a new entry in the occupational diseases registry for type I hypersensitivities with multi-organ manifestation? [Vergleich von begutachtungsempfehlungen fur die BK-ziffern 4301 und 5101: Brauchen wir eine neue BK-ziffer fur berufsbedingte typ-I-allergien mit multiorgan-manifestation?]

Abstract

To date, in Germany an immediate type I hypersensitivity to occupational proteins (e.g. natural rubber latex) may lead to legal recognition as an occupational skin disease (BK 5101) and also as an occupational airways disease (BK 4301). This includes sometimes doubled compensation claims for different symptoms of the same disease. Similarities and differences in the officially recommended standard procedures of medico-legal evaluation of type I hypersensitivities within the public German occupational illness and accident insurance system are lined out. The jurisdictional separation of occupational skin and airways diseases has not proven helpful in type I hypersensitivities with multi-organ manifestations. Therefore, it is recommended in the future to have only one common legal and medical evaluation process for occupational multi-organ type I hypersensitivities. This, in fact, would require a new entry in the national Occupational Illness Registry (Berufskrankheitenliste).