Classifying and Coding Causes of Sickness Absence -
Full Level 1 and Level 2 coding lists
This page presents the complete current sickness absence cause classification scheme as devised for the SART project.
The background to the derivation and development of the SART sickness absence coding scheme, and its general use and applicability are described here.
There are two levels of coding within the scheme:
- At Level 1, 23 categories specify the main body system affected by the illness or ailment.
- At Level 2, secondary coding is used to specify one or more specific or detailed causes for each Level 1 illness.
In the SART it is mandatory to choose a level one category; the selection of a level two category is strongly recommended, but optional.
The first table below presents the Level 1 cause codes, and their descriptive meanings. The second table provides the Level 2 codes and descriptions. The Level 2 information for each can be accessed by clicking on the linked level 1 description.
Level 1 Code |
Level 1 description (click on the link to go to the relevant level 2 code and description) |
10 |
Anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses |
11 |
Back Problems |
12 |
Other musculoskeletal problems - (exclude back problems- include neck problems) |
13 |
Cold, Cough, Flu - Influenza |
14 |
Asthma |
15 |
Chest & respiratory problems - (exclude nose & throat problems, asthma, cold, cough, flu) |
16 |
Headache / migraine |
17 |
Benign and malignant tumours, cancers |
18 |
Blood disorders (e.g. anaemia) |
19 |
Heart, cardiac & circulatory problems |
20 |
Burns, poisoning, frostbite, hypothermia |
21 |
Ear, nose, throat (ENT) |
22 |
Dental and oral problems |
23 |
Eye problems |
24 |
Endocrine / glandular problems (e.g. diabetes, thyroid, metabolic problems) |
25 |
Gastrointestinal problems (e.g. abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, vomiting, diarrhoea) - exclude dental and oral problems |
26 |
Genitourinary & gynaecological disorders - exclude pregnancy related disorders |
27 |
Infectious diseases |
28 |
Injury, fracture |
29 |
Nervous system disorders - exclude headache/migraine |
30 |
Pregnancy related disorders |
31 |
Skin disorders |
32 |
Substance abuse - incl alcoholism & drug dependence |
98 |
Other known causes (nec) - not elsewhere classified in SA scheme |
99 |
Unknown causes / Not specified |
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Level 1 Code |
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
10 |
Anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses |
10001 |
Anxiety |
10002 |
Behavioural disorder |
10003 |
Bipolar disorder |
10004 |
Delusion disorder |
10005 |
Depression |
10006 |
Eating disorder |
10007 |
Insomnia |
10008 |
Manic disorder |
10009 |
Obsessive compulsive disorder |
10010 |
Panic attacks |
10011 |
Personality disorder |
10012 |
Phobic disorders |
10013 |
Psychosis |
10014 |
Schizoaffective disorder |
10015 |
Schizophrenia |
10016 |
Self harm |
10017 |
Stress |
10998 |
Other psychiatric illnesses |
10999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code |
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
11 |
Back problems |
11001 |
Back ache/pain |
11002 |
Disc problems |
11003 |
Lumbago |
11004 |
Sciatica |
11005 |
Scoliosis |
11006 |
Spinal stenosis |
11007 |
Spondylitis |
11008 |
Spondylosis |
11998 |
Other back problems |
11999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code |
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
12 |
Other musculoskeletal problems - exclude back problems- include neck problems |
12001 |
Arthritis |
12002 |
Carpal tunnel syndrome |
12003 |
Cartlilage disorder |
12004 |
Frozen shoulder |
12005 |
Ganglion |
12006 |
Hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) |
12007 |
Ligament disorder |
12008 |
Neck ache/pain |
12009 |
Osteoarthritis |
12010 |
Osteoporosis |
12011 |
Pinched/trapped nerve |
12012 |
Pulled muscle |
12013 |
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) |
12014 |
Rheumatism |
12015 |
Rheumatoid arthritis |
12016 |
Shoulder ache/pain |
12017 |
Tendon problem |
12018 |
Tennis elbow |
12019 |
Vibration white finger |
12020 |
Whole body vibration |
12998 |
Other musculoskeletal problems |
12999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code |
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
13 |
Cold, Cough, Flu - Influenza |
13001 |
Cold |
13002 |
Cough |
13003 |
Flu Influenza |
13998 |
Other cough cold flu |
13999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code |
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
14 |
Asthma |
14001 |
Non-allergic (intrinsic) asthma |
14002 |
Allergic (extrinsic) asthma |
14003 |
Exercise-induced asthma |
14004 |
Seasonal asthma |
14005 |
Nocturnal asthma |
14006 |
Combination of two or more of the above types of asthma |
14998 |
Other asthma |
14999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code |
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
15 |
Chest & respiratory problems - exclude nose & throat problems, asthma, cold, cough, flu) |
15001 |
Breathing problems |
15002 |
Bronchitis |
15003 |
Chronic bronchitis |
15004 |
Chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD) |
15005 |
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) |
15006 |
Emphysema |
15007 |
Lower respiratory tract infection |
15008 |
Pleurisy |
15009 |
Pneumoconiosis |
15010 |
Pneumonia |
15011 |
Tracheitis |
15012 |
Upper respiratory tract infection |
15998 |
Other chest and respiratory problems |
15999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code |
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
16 |
Headache / migraine |
16001 |
Headache |
16002 |
Migraine |
16999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code |
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
17 |
Benign and malignant tumours, cancers |
17001 |
Benign tumour |
17002 |
Bladder cancer |
17003 |
Bowel cancer |
17004 |
Brain cancer |
17005 |
Breast cancer |
17006 |
Cervical cancer |
17007 |
Colon cancer |
17008 |
Colorectal cancer |
17009 |
Leukaemia |
17010 |
Lung cancer |
17011 |
Melanoma |
17012 |
Mesothelioma |
17013 |
Non-Hodgkinís lymphoma |
17014 |
Oesophageal cancer |
17015 |
Ovarian cancer |
17016 |
Pancreatic cancer |
17017 |
Prostate cancer |
17018 |
Stomach cancer |
17019 |
Testicular cancer |
17020 |
Throat cancer |
17998 |
Other types of cancer |
17999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code |
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
18 |
Blood disorders (e.g. anaemia) |
18001 |
Anaemia |
18002 |
Sickle-cell disorders |
18998 |
Other blood disorders |
18999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code |
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
19 |
Heart, cardiac & circulatory problems |
19001 |
Angina |
19002 |
Cardiovascular disease |
19003 |
Cardiomyopathy |
19004 |
Cerebrovascular disease |
19005 |
Deep vein thrombosis (dvt) |
19006 |
Disease of the arteries |
19007 |
Endocarditis |
19008 |
Heart failure |
19009 |
Hypercholesterolemia |
19010 |
Hyperlipiaemia |
19011 |
Hypertensive disease |
19012 |
Hypotension |
19013 |
Mitral valve disorder |
19014 |
Myocardial infarction |
19015 |
Mycocarditis |
19016 |
Pericarditis |
19017 |
Pulmonary heart disease |
19018 |
Renal disease |
19019 |
Rheumatic fever |
19020 |
Stroke |
19021 |
Thrombosis |
19998 |
Other heart or circulatory problems |
19999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code
|
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
|
20 |
Burns, poisoning, frostbite, hypothermia |
20001 |
Burns from air and hot gases |
20002 |
Burns from hot objects |
20003 |
Chemical burns |
20004 |
Chilblains |
20005 |
Electrical burns |
20006 |
Frostbite |
20007 |
Hypothermia |
20008 |
Poisoning by wrong medication |
20009 |
Poisoning by wrong substance |
20010 |
Poisoning by venomous animals |
20011 |
Scalds |
20012 |
Sunburn |
20998 |
Other burns/poisoning |
20999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code
|
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
21 |
Ear, nose, throat (ENT) |
21001 |
Allergic rhinitis |
21002 |
Blocked eustachian tubes |
21003 |
Blocked nose |
21004 |
Hay fever (seasonal rhinitis) |
21005 |
Hearing loss |
21006 |
Laryngitis |
21007 |
Meniereís disease |
21008 |
Nose bleed |
21009 |
Otitis externia |
21010 |
Otitis media (glue ear) |
21011 |
Perforated ear drum |
21012 |
Pharyngitis |
21013 |
Septic throat |
21014 |
Sinusitis |
21015 |
Sore throat |
21016 |
Throat infection |
21017 |
Tinnitus |
21018 |
Tonsillitis |
21019 |
Vertigo |
21998 |
Other ear/nose/throat problems |
21999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code
|
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
|
22 |
Dental and oral problems |
22001 |
Dental problems |
22002 |
Broken/chipped tooth |
22003 |
Dental abscess |
22004 |
Mouth infection |
22005 |
Mouth ulcer |
22006 |
Tooth ache |
22007 |
Tooth extraction |
22998 |
Other dental and oral problems |
22999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code
|
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
|
23 |
Eye problems |
23001 |
Blurred vision |
23002 |
Cataract |
23003 |
Conjunctivitis |
23004 |
Detached retina |
23005 |
Double vision |
23006 |
Eye strain |
23007 |
Glaucoma |
23008 |
Keratitis |
23009 |
Tunnel vision |
23998 |
Other eye problems |
23999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code
|
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
|
24 |
Endocrine / glandular problems (e.g. diabetes, thyroid, metabolic problems) |
24001 |
Adrenal disorders |
24002 |
Cystic fibrosis |
24003 |
Diabetes - Insulin dependent |
24004 |
Diabetes - non-insulin dependent |
24005 |
Parathyroid disorders |
24006 |
Pituitary gland disorders |
24007 |
Thyroid disorders |
24998 |
Other endocrine disorders |
24999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code
|
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
|
25 |
Gastrointestinal problems (e.g. abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, vomiting, diarrhoea) - exclude dental and oral problems |
|
|
25001 |
Abdominal pain |
25002 |
Appendicitis |
25003 |
Cirrhosis of the liver |
25004 |
Coeliac disease |
25005 |
Colitis |
25006 |
Constipation |
25007 |
Crohnís disease |
25008 |
Diarrhoea |
25009 |
Diverticulitis |
25010 |
Duodenal ulcer |
25011 |
Food allergy |
25012 |
Gall bladder disease |
25013 |
Gastric ulcer |
25014 |
Gastro-intestinal disorder |
25015 |
Gastroenteritis |
25016 |
Hiatus hernia |
25017 |
Irritable bowel syndrome |
25018 |
Inflammatory bowel syndrome |
25019 |
Lactose intolerance |
25020 |
Liver disease |
25021 |
Malnutrition |
25022 |
Oesophagitis |
25023 |
Pancreatitis |
25024 |
Peptic ulcer |
25025 |
Stomach ache |
25026 |
Ulcerative colitis |
25027 |
Upset stomach |
25028 |
Vomiting |
25998 |
Other gastrointestinal problems |
25999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code
|
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
|
26 |
Genitourinary & gynaecological disorders - exclude pregnancy related disorders |
26001 |
Epididymitis (M only) |
26002 |
Orchitis (M only) |
26003 |
Prostatic (prostrate) problems (M only) |
26004 |
Testicular problems (M only) |
26005 |
Cervical problems (F only) |
26006 |
Endometriosis (F only) |
26007 |
Fibroids (F only) |
26008 |
Hysterectomy (F only) |
26009 |
Uterine problems (F only) |
26010 |
Vaginal problems (F only) |
26011 |
Menstrual problems (F only) |
26012 |
Pelvic inflammatory disease (F only) |
26013 |
Problems with fallopian tubes (F only) |
26014 |
Ovarian problems (F only) |
26015 |
Bladder infection |
26016 |
Cystitis |
26017 |
Kidney stones |
26018 |
Kidney failure |
26019 |
Mastitis |
26020 |
Sexually transmitted (venereal) disease (STD) |
26021 |
Urinary obstruction |
26022 |
Urinary tract infection |
26998 |
Other genitourinary or gynaecological problems |
26999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code
|
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
|
27 |
Infectious diseases |
27001 |
Anthrax |
27002 |
Chickenpox |
27003 |
Cholera |
27004 |
Diphtheria |
27005 |
E coli infection |
27006 |
Glandular fever |
27007 |
Hepatitis A |
27008 |
Hepatitis B |
27009 |
Hepatitis C |
27010 |
Hepatitis E |
27011 |
HIV |
27012 |
Listeria |
27013 |
Malaria |
27014 |
Measles |
27015 |
Meningitis |
27016 |
Mumps |
27017 |
Rubella (German measles) |
27018 |
Salmonella |
27019 |
Scarlet fever |
27020 |
Shingles |
27021 |
Tetanus |
27022 |
Trachoma |
27023 |
Tuberculosis |
27024 |
Typhoid fever |
27025 |
Typhus fever |
27026 |
Whooping cough |
27027 |
Yellow fever |
27998 |
Other infectious disease |
27999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code
|
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
|
28 |
Injury, fracture |
28001 |
Animal bite |
28002 |
Broken arm |
28003 |
Broken back |
28004 |
Broken finger |
28005 |
Broken foot |
28006 |
Broken leg |
28007 |
Broken toe |
28008 |
Complications of surgery |
28009 |
Cut |
28010 |
Dislocation |
28011 |
Electric shock |
28012 |
Fractured ankle |
28013 |
Fractured hip |
28014 |
Fractured knee |
28015 |
Fractured nose |
28016 |
Fractured pelvis |
28017 |
Fractured rib |
28018 |
Fractured shoulder |
28019 |
Fractured skull |
28020 |
Fractured wrist |
28021 |
Injury to elbow or fore arm |
28022 |
Injury to foot or ankle |
28023 |
Injury to hip or thigh |
28024 |
Injury to knee or lower leg |
28025 |
Injury to shoulder or upper arm |
28026 |
Injury to wrist or hand |
28027 |
Insect bite |
28028 |
Laceration |
28029 |
Sprain |
28030 |
Strain |
28031 |
Whiplash |
28998 |
Other injury/fracture |
28999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code |
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
29 |
Nervous system disorders - exclude headache/migraine |
29001 |
Alzheimerís disease |
29002 |
Dementia |
29003 |
Epilepsy |
29004 |
Huntingtonís disease |
29005 |
Motor Neuron Disease |
29006 |
Multiple Sclerosis |
29007 |
Muscular dystrophy |
29008 |
Parkinsonís disease |
29009 |
Sleep disorders |
29998 |
Other disorders of the nervous system |
29999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code |
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
30 |
Pregnancy related disorders |
30001 |
Amniotic fluid disorders |
30002 |
Bladder infection |
30003 |
Ectopic pregnancy |
30004 |
Gestational diabetes |
30005 |
Infection of urethra |
30006 |
Infection of urinary tract |
30007 |
Gestational diabetes |
30008 |
Haemorrhaging |
30009 |
Kidney infection |
30010 |
Miscarriage |
30011 |
Morning sickness |
30012 |
Placental disorders |
30013 |
Pre-eclampsia |
30998 |
Other pregnancy related conditions |
30999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code
|
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
|
31 |
Skin disorders |
31001 |
Cellulitis |
31002 |
Contact dermatitis |
31003 |
Eczema |
31004 |
Hives |
31005 |
Impetigo |
31006 |
Pruritis |
31007 |
Psoriasis |
31008 |
Ring worm |
31009 |
Seborrhoea |
31010 |
Skin allergy |
31011 |
Urticaria |
31998 |
Other skin disorders |
31999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code |
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
32 |
Substance abuse - incl alcoholism & drug dependence |
32001 |
Alcoholism |
32002 |
Drug dependence |
32998 |
Other substance abuse |
32999 |
Not specified |
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Level 1 Code
|
Level 1 description |
Level 2 Code |
Level 2 description |
|
98 |
Other known causes (nec) - not elsewhere classified |
Not applicable |
|
99 |
Unknown causes / Not specified |
Not applicable |
|