Lost income and work limitations in persons with chronic respiratory disorders.

Chronic respiratory diseases are prevalent, disabling, and rank fifth in terms of cost of illness among major disease groups; however, the degree of work loss and lost income is largely unknown. Lost wages in adults with chronic respiratory conditions were calculated from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) was used to estimate work loss and limitations in specific chronic respiratory conditions, including allergic rhinitis, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. The SIPP indicated that adults with chronic respiratory conditions average $3,143 annual earnings loss ($5,272 for those between the ages of 25 and 64 and $1,267 for those over age 65). The NHIS indicated that 19.9% of persons with chronic respiratory conditions report being unable to work. Comparisons across respiratory diseases are made.