ABSTRACT

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the rate of disability in patients, who applied to Medical Commission due to neurological disorders, and to explore the relationship between the disability rate and the neurological diagnosis. Due to the rarity of such studies in our country, this study might illuminate the current status of the disabled population in Turkey.

Material and Methods:

The neurological status of 2082 cases, who applied to Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Research and Training Hospital Medical Commision in order to obtain a disability report between January 2nd 2009 and December 16th 2010, were evaluated, and their disability rates were determined using Council of Ministers’ “Regulation on disability criteria, classification and medical commission reports given to disabled people”, which was published on 16.07.2006 in Official Gazette of Republic of Turkey issue no 26230.

Results:

Of the 2082 cases evaluated, 1170 (56.2%) were male and 912 (43.8%) were female. Cerebrovascular disease (n: 628; 30.2%), dementia (n: 314; 15.1%), epilepsy (n: 230; 11%) and cerebral palsy (n: 216; 10.4%) ranked among the most frequent pathologies. While the nervous system disability rates were determined to be 73% for motor neuron disease, 65% for myopathy, 59% for dementia and 58% for cerebrovascular disease, mean nervous system disability rate was 51% and general disability rate was 67%. The nervous system disability rate was significantly lower than the general disability rate calculated in the final report (p=0.0001).

Conclusion:

Disability is a major problem in our country as well as throughout the world. Very few studies have yet been published in this field. This study is useful for revealing the status of people with neurological disabilities in Turkey, and would also shed light over the other disabilities.