A retrospective analysis of disability and its related costs among employees with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine the frequency and cost of disability among actively employed individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).


METHODS
The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of disability and claims data. Employees 40 to 63 years old with a diagnosis of COPD between January 1, 2001, and March 31, 2004, were identified, and controls were matched 2:1 to these subjects. Likelihood and cost of disability were compared between cohorts.


RESULTS
A total of 2696 controls were matched to 1349 COPD subjects. Mean age was 52 years, and cohorts were approximately 50% male. A significantly (P < 0.0001) greater proportion of COPD subjects used short-term (21.8% vs 7.0%), long-term (2.4% vs 0.4%), or any disability (22.8% vs 7.3%). Associated costs were also higher among COPD subjects (8559 dollars vs 5443 dollars; P = 0.07).


CONCLUSIONS
Within a population of actively employed individuals 40 to 63 years old, COPD was found to have a substantial impact on the frequency and cost of disability.
Darkow
Theodore
T
Health Economics & Outcomes, i3 Innovus, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA. theodore.darkow@i3nnovus.com
Kadlubek
Pamela J
PJ
Shah
Hemal
H
Phillips
Amy L
AL
Marton
Jenö P
JP
D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004651:Employment / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States