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:

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

Level 1 Code Level 1 description Level 2 Code Level 2 description
16 Headache / migraine 16001 Headache
16002 Migraine
16999 Not specified

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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

To Top

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