Assessment of impairments in body functions and body structures among individuals with work capacity loss due to occupational diseases

Abstract

Background: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a comprehensive framework for assessing body functions, body structures, activity limitations, participation restrictions, and environmental factors. The combined use of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the ICF can contribute to more comprehensive and person-centered approaches to rehabilitation planning, disability assessment, and compensation systems for work capacity loss. Aim: To assess individuals with occupational diseases and work capacity loss using the ICF framework and to evaluate impairments in body functions and impairments of body structures. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among individuals with work capacity loss due to occupational diseases. Data were collected using two sections of the ICF Checklist Version 2.1a, Clinician Form, focusing on body functions (b) and body structures (s). Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS-26.0. Results: A total of 180 participants were included in the study, of whom 80.6% (n=145) were male and 19.4% (n=35) were female, with a mean age of 60.5±10.7 years. The mean duration of employment under hazardous occupational conditions was 19.5±5.2 years. Respiratory system disorders were 57.2% (n=103), and nervous system disorders were 20.0% (n=36). The internal consistency of the ICF assessment was high for the body functions impairment domain (Cronbach’s α=0.904) and acceptable for the body structures impairment domain (α=0.788). Sensory functions and pain impairments (b2) differed significantly across all occupational disease groups (p<0.001), while impairments of the structures of the nervous system (s1) also showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.015). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that an increase in the percentage of work capacity loss was significantly associated with body function impairment (OR=1.065; 95% CI: 1.003–1.131; p=0.030), while increasing age was significantly associated with impairments of body structures (OR=1.112; 95% CI: 1.013–1.234; p=0.042). Conclusions: 1. The body functions and body structures domains of the ICF Checklist Version 2.1a, Clinician Form, demonstrated adequate internal consistency, indicating that the ICF may be applicable for assessing individuals with occupational diseases. 2. Sensory function and pain impairments were common among individuals with occupational diseases. Furthermore, a higher percentage of work capacity loss was associated with greater body function impairment, while increasing age was associated with a higher risk of body structure impairment.