[Incidence of disability in Iceland before and after introduction of a new method of disability evaluation.]

To assess changes in disability evaluation, since the introduction on September 1st 1999 of a new assessment method based on the British functional capacity evaluation, "All work test". Previously, the disability assessment was based on the applicant's medical, social and financial circumstances.

The study includes all those having their disability assessed for the first time at the State Social Security Institute of Iceland in 1997, 1998 and 2000. Information was obtained from the disability register on degree of disability, gender, age and primary diagnoses.

After the introduction of the new assessment method, there has been a significant increase in the number of women who have disability more then 75% (p<0.0001). This increase occurs amongst women older than 30 years, having musculoskeletal disorders (mainly soft tissue disorders). There has also been a slight (statistically insignificant) increase in more than 75% disability amongst men (p=0.25). The number of people who have had their disability evaluated as 50-65% has decreased (p<0.0001). No significant change in the total number of new disability pensioners (having their disability assessed as being more than 75% or 50-65%) was observed.

The new method of disability assessment has resulted in a significant rise in the number of women who have had their disability assessed as being more than 75%, but there has not been a rise in the total number of new disability pensioners, as the increased number of women with the higher degree of disability has been balanced by a significant fall in the number of new disability pensioners with the lower degree of disability.