The influence of chronic respiratory conditions on health status and work disability.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the impact of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on health status and work disability.


METHODS
We used data from a population-based sample of 3805 California adults.


RESULTS
Compared with adults with no chronic health conditions, adults with COPD or asthma had a greater risk of self-reported diminished general health (odds ratio [OR] = 10.95; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.31, 19.0 and OR = 3.92; 95% CI = 2.31, 6.65, respectively). Respondents with COPD or asthma also had worse mental health status, as indicated by a greater risk of depressive symptoms (OR = 10.05; 95% CI = 5.29, 19.08 and OR = 2.59; 95% CI = 1.33, 5.04). COPD was associated with reduced current employment (OR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.24, 0.71).


CONCLUSIONS
Asthma and COPD are associated with poor health status and greater work disability.
Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA. eisner@itsa.ucsf.edu
Mark D
MD
Eisner
Edward H
EH
Yelin
Laura
L
Trupin
Paul D
PD
Blanc
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation