AMA Guides® Newsletter - Issue Archive

Articles

1. Determining Impairment and Disability for Mental and Behavioral Disorders

   Norma J. Leclair, Steven W. Leclair, Christopher R. Brigham

   Pages 1–11

   DOI: 10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2003.JulAug01

   Abstract

   The AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides), Chapter 14, Mental and Behavioral Disorders, focuses on the particularly challenging process of evaluating a person with a mental or behavioral disorder. This chapter is unique: It does not include numeric impairment ratings because no precise methods exist for assessing impairment in mental disorders. This article focuses on the process of gathering qualitative data and relevant information to substantiate the behavioral impairment assessment, for which the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition–Text Revised (DSM-IV-TR) is used. Impairment ratings in the AMA Guides reflect “consensus-derived estimates that reflect the severity of the impairment and the degree to which the impairment decreases an individual's ability to perform common activities of daily living [ADL]” and designates four relevant areas to consider: ADL; social functioning; concentration, persistence, and pacing; and deterioration or decompensation in complex or work-like settings. The validity of an impairment classification depends on the process used to collect and analyze the data, including clinical treatment records, hospital discharge summaries, community mental health program activity reports, patient and family interviews, reports from work evaluation or rehabilitation centers, supported employment records, and workplace evaluations. Defining maximum medical improvement in patients with mental and behavioral disorders is difficult and, in some instances, may be impossible.
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2. Clinical Update: Assessing Maximum Medical Improvement in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

   Christopher R. Brigham, James B. Talmage

   Pages 4–5

   DOI: 10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2003.JulAug02

   Abstract

   Permanent impairment cannot be assessed until the patient is at maximum medical improvement (MMI), but the proper time to test following carpal tunnel release often is not clear. The AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides) states: “Factors affecting nerve recovery in compression lesions include nerve fiber pathology, level of injury, duration of injury, and status of end organs,” but age is not prognostic. The AMA Guides clarifies: “High axonotmesis lesions may take 1 to 2 years for maximum recovery, whereas even lesions at the wrist may take 6 to 9 months for maximal recovery of nerve function.” The authors review 3 studies that followed patients’ long-term recovery of hand function after open carpal tunnel release surgery and found that estimates of MMI ranged from 25 weeks to 24 months (for “significant improvement”) to 18 to 24 months. The authors suggest that if the early results of surgery suggest a patient's improvement in the activities of daily living (ADL) and an examination shows few or no symptoms, the result can be assessed early. If major symptoms and ADL problems persist, the examiner should wait at least 6 to 12 months, until symptoms appear to stop improving. A patient with carpal tunnel syndrome who declines a release can be rated for impairment, and, as appropriate, the physician may wish to make a written note of this in the medical evaluation report.
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3. Legal Update: Social Security Disability Insurance

   Glenn Pransky, Radoslaw Wasiak, Jay Himmelstein

   Pages 5–12

   DOI: 10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2003.JulAug03

   Abstract

   The US Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) system does not use the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, but examinees who are evaluated for permanent impairment frequently also are receiving SSDI benefits. The latter are restricted to workers who have long-term impairments that are so severe they preclude any type of gainful compensable activity, and the impairment must be medically determinable and expected to last at least a year or result in death. Both SSDI and the Supplemental Security Income plan (primarily for workers who have insufficient past work contributions) require the examining physician to provide specific medical information such as the medical history, physical examination, laboratory findings, and impairment, often using standardized forms. Examiners should know that the observations of the treating physician have legal significance, especially in areas of controversy. Social Security may approve additional diagnostic testing in order to conclusively establish the extent and severity of an illness. Based on the patient's history and observations during the examination, physicians also are asked to report any impairments in daily functioning, but examiners are advised not to address work-relatedness and are discouraged from discussing ability to work, which is determined by the state disability agency. Infrequent follow-up reports may be requested because most accepted claims are reviewed on a periodic (yearly) basis.
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4. Impairment Tutorial: Rating Spondylolisthesis

   Christopher R. Brigham, Robert H. Haralson

   Pages 8–9

   DOI: 10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2003.JulAug04

   Abstract

   Spondylolisthesis generally is defined as an anterior or posterior slipping or displacement of one vertebra on another. A unilateral or bilateral defect of the pars interarticularis without displacement of the vertebra is known as spondylolysis or, less frequently, spondyloschisis. The AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides) notes that the two common types of spondylolisthesis are isthmic (related to the presence of spondylolysis and occurring in the immature spine) and degenerative spondylolisthesis (usually found in older individuals with degenerative changes, usually at the fourth or fifth lumbar vertebra). The AMA Guides classifies spondylolisthesis based on the etiology of the slip: congenital, isthmic, degenerative, traumatic, pathologic, and iatrogenic/postsurgical. In addition, grades ranging from I to V are assessed based on the severity of the displacement of the vertebra above on the vertebra below. Some of the confusion concerning terminology used in the AMA Guides regarding alteration of motion segment integrity arises because multiple different but similar terms exist, eg, those from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons vs the AMA Guides. The AMA Guides specifies that an x-ray finding of spondylolisthesis alone does not equal alteration of motion segment integrity, and a Diagnosis-related estimate (DRE) is the appropriate method for assessing spondylolisthesis (except in rare occurrences of multilevel spinal involvement, when the range-of-motion method is recommended).
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5. Literature Review

   Pages 11–11

   DOI: 10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2003.JulAug05