[The assessment of invalidity in chronic bronchitis (author's transl)]

There are no fixed rules for the assessment of invalidity in chronic bronchitis and its complications. The methods of examination and the interpretation of the results are very different. The main cause of invalidity is diminished cardiopulmonary function. Therefore, lung function tests are of great importance. But some other important aspects have to be considered too, f.e. concomitant diseases, age and profession, possibilities to arrange a suitable place of employment, results of treatment. In this paper are discussed proposals for a complex assessment of invalidity including social and psychological aspects.