OBJECTIVES

Many individuals may retire early due to health issues resulting from a chronic condition. This study’s objective is to determine if there is an association between airflow limitation, measured by peak expiratory flow (PEF), and early retirement.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the Health Retirement Survey (HRS) waves 2006 to 2014. Included individuals were age 55 to 64 years, working in survey years 2006-2010, with a completed PEF test and information on gender, race, height, age, education status and planned retirement age. Individuals responding “yes” to having a diagnosis of stroke were excluded. Individuals were followed for 4 years after providing planned retirement age, and individuals retiring earlier than planned were considered as “retired early”. Presence of airflow limitation was determined using an individual’s PEF measurement as a proportion of predicted lung function (PPLF). Airflow limitation was defined as a PPLF of <75%. Statistical analyses included Chi-square test, t-test, simple linear regression and multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

A total of 1346 individuals were included, 203 (15.1%) with airflow limitation. Overall, 134 individuals retired early (9.9%). Among individuals with airflow limitation, a significantly greater proportion retired early versus those without airflow limitation (14.3% vs 9.2%, p=0.025); adjusted odds ratio 1.77 (95% CI 1.11, 2.84). Significantly greater proportions of individuals with these conditions also retired early compared to individuals without: depression (14.7% vs 9.4%, p=.04), cancer (16.4% vs 9.4%, p<0.01), arthritis (13.2% vs 7.4%, p<0.01) and hypertension (11.8% vs 8.0%, p=.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Airflow limitation measured by PEF is significantly associated with early retirement. Airflow limitation may indicate the presence of obstructive lung disease, a chronic disabling condition. This information may be useful in designing early detection screening programs for obstructive lung disease, potentially delaying disease progression and reducing the effect of airflow limitation on early retirement.