Introduction Human heavy costs of Occupational Diseases (OD) are associated with significant economic ones estimated, in some countries at 2 or even 3% of the gross domestic product.

Objective This study aims to identify epidemiological profile of Tunisian patients concerned by OD and their associated professional factors.

Methodology A retrospective study was carried out in one of the seven Tunisian occupational medicine university departments, with data collected between 2005 and 2017, based on the medical files and declaration forms.

Results In total, 351 patients had been declared victims of at least one OD. The sex ratio was 0.21 and the average age was 40.51 ± 8.36 years. The average professional seniority was 18.2 ± 7.8 years. Among concerned workers, 69.23% were actives in clothes-textile sector; 7.97% in hotel-catering sector and 6.84% of them in the health sector. Machine operator (63.53%), followed by cleaning worker (6.55%), were most concerned work situations. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represented 86.61% of declared OD, followed by respiratory pathologies, and occupational dermatitis in 7.41% and 2.56% of cases respectively. The average files’ processing time by compensation commission was 15.15 ± 8.8 months (3 - 36 months). Demands of compensation were refused in 6.3% of cases. The average permanent partial disability (PPD) rate was 22.54 ± 10.13% (6 to 50%). Statistical analysis concluded that MSDs, the most reported OD, were more common among female patients (p = 10^-3); those active in the clothing-textile sector (p = 0.005); machine operators (p = 0.003) and those who received a compensation pension (PPD > 5%) (p = 0.02).

Conclusion Occupational diseases are a real issue of health and safety at work, particularly in some sectors characterized by multiple risks exposition and needs specific preventive actions.