IPUMS NHIS: descr: FLBACKC

IPUMS NHIS

NHIS
MEPS

NATIONAL HEALTH INTERVIEW SURVEY

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FLBACKC

Chronic status of functionally limiting back/neck problem

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An 'X' indicates the category is available for that sample

Code	Label	18	17	16	15	14	13	12	11	10	09	08	07	06	05	04	03	02	01	00	99	98
0	NIU	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
1	Not chronic	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
2	Chronic	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
9	Unknown if chronic	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X

Description

For sample adults who, without using special equipment, have at least a little difficulty with one or more functional activity (FLANY), and for whom a back or neck problem was reported as a condition causing any activity limitation (FLBACK), FLBACKC reports whether the condition status was chronic. A back or neck problem was coded as chronic by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) if it had lasted at least 3 months.

Definition of chronic condition
For the most part, conditions that have lasted 3 months or longer (or were diagnosed at least 3 months prior to the interview) are classified as "chronic" in the National Health Interview Survey. Those conditions that have lasted less than three months are generally considered "not chronic" (or acute). However, some conditions are considered "chronic" by definition, regardless of the length of time since diagnosis.

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As the NHIS Survey Descriptions for 2002 forward explain:

Conditions that are generally not cured, once acquired ... such as heart disease, diabetes, and birth defects ... are considered chronic, while ... other conditions must have been present for three months or longer to be considered chronic.

Correspondence with the NCHS staff provided the further information that the following conditions were considered chronic regardless of the amount of time the person had the condition: arthritis/rheumatism; birth defect; cancer; diabetes; heart problem; hypertension; missing limb or finger; old age; mental retardation; senility; stroke; and other developmental problem. These "instant chronic" conditions might be treated and may not cause problems, but they do not actually disappear with time, as might be the case for other conditions, such as a bone fracture.

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