[Is the ICIDH (International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps) suitible for geriatric...

The International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (ICIDH), a manual of disease consequences issued by WHO, at present exists in two versions. ICIDH-1, issued in 1980, has been under revision since 1993. This revision process will result in a more sophisticated and more comprehensive ICIDH-2 in 2001. The ICIDH, based on the biopsychosocial disease model, describes disease consequences in three dimensions: Structural and functional body impairments. Disabilities (ICIDH-1) or restrictions of activities (ICIDH-2) in activities of daily living. Handicaps (ICIDH-1) or participation limitations (ICIDH-2) in social integration. In the field of geriatrics ICIDH is also helpful as a coherent conceptual framework and reference manual to determine and code the disabilities and handicaps with regard to daily living competence. Geriatric assessment instruments are no alternative, but complementary to the ICIDH. In view of the high frequency of geriatric patients with multimorbidity, i.e. multiple impairments, disabilities, and handicaps, the utility of the ICIDH in geriatric care is highly dependent on the flexible application of this classification system.