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"Invalidity" due to chronic bronchitis and emphysema: how real is it?
Thorax
|November 1, 1985
Summary
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema disability claims remain constant despite falling hospitalizations. Many recipients had other diagnoses or normal lung function, indicating potential issues with disability benefit assessment.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Disability Assessment
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Hospitalizations for chronic bronchitis and emphysema are decreasing.
- Invalidity benefit claims for these respiratory conditions remain stable.
- A review of disability factors and rehabilitation potential was conducted.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics of individuals receiving invalidity benefits for chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
- To assess the degree of respiratory impairment and contributing factors to disability.
- To evaluate the potential for rehabilitation in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- 100 subjects receiving invalidity benefits for chronic bronchitis and emphysema participated.
- Diagnosis, respiratory impairment (including FEV1), and contributing factors were reviewed.
- Data from 32 non-participants was also analyzed from hospital records.
Main Results:
- Only 67 subjects had chronic bronchitis and emphysema as their primary diagnosis.
- A bimodal distribution of functional impairment was observed, with some having normal FEV1.
- Psychological and economic factors significantly contributed to disability, particularly in those with normal FEV1.
- Poor motivation limited rehabilitation scope; less than half had seen a chest physician.
Conclusions:
- The assessment for invalidity benefits may need refinement, considering diverse diagnoses and contributing factors beyond respiratory function.
- Specialist assessment prior to benefit application could improve accuracy.
- Rehabilitation potential is often limited by factors other than severe respiratory impairment.
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