Chronic Airway Obstruction, Respiratory Insufficiency, and Gainful Employment

Abstract

A study was made of background factors of employed vs nonemployed patients with chronic airway obstruction (CAO) participating in a comprehensive rehabilitation program. Employed patients had slightly better ventilatory function tests than unemployed individuals. When corrected for age, differences were negligible. Employed patients were younger and had slightly better exercise tolerance. Although only three individuals were able to return to work by virtue of the program, many with severe ventilatory impairment could adjust to their vocational pursuits and maintain an important level of gainful employment. It is likely that factors beyond the patient's level of measurable physiological impairment determine the ability to maintain employment.