[What diseases do women have? Reflections in work disability and hospital statistics of occupational health insurance].

: The analysis of general morbidity referring to sex is only partially developed in the Federal Republic of Germany, although it would provide substantial evidence to systematic health monitoring. The routine data of the general sickness insurance system installed in the FRG represent an important empirical basis to tackle this problem. The following description concerns the members of the companies' sickness funds and includes the information on work incapacity due to illness as well as data on in-patient treatment. On the whole we find for all the women fewer cases and shorter terms of absence due to illness in comparison to men. Women older than 50 years, however, show a significant upward trend while the rates of men decrease at that age. In comparison to men we find a specific distribution of illnesses in women. Pointers and questions for further epidemiological research are given.