This metadata item contributes to the definition of the concept 'Disability' and gives an indication of the experience of disability for a person.
Impairments of body structure are problems in body structure such as a loss or significant departure from population standards or averages.
CODE 0 No change in structure
Used when the structure of the body part is within the range of the population standard.
CODE 1 Total absence
Used when the body structure is not present. For example total absence of the structures of the lower leg following a thorough knee amputation.
CODE 2 Partial absence
Used when only part of a body structure is present. For example partial absence of the bones of the lower leg following below knee amputation.
CODE 3 Additional part
Used when a structure, not usually present in the population is present, for example a sixth lumbar vertebra or an sixth digit on one hand.
CODE 4 Aberrant dimensions
Used when the shape and size of a body structure is significantly different from the population standard. For example radial aplasia where the shape and size of the radial bone does not develop.
CODE 5 Discontinuity
Used when parts of a body structure are separated, for example cleft palate or fracture.
CODE 6 Deviating position
Used when the location of a structure is not according to population standard; for example, transposition of the great vessels, where the aorta arises from the right ventricle and the pulmonary vessels from the left ventricle.
CODE 7 Qualitative changes in structure
Used when the structure of a body part is altered from the population standard. This includes accumulation of fluid, changes in bone structure as a result of osteoporosis or Paget’s disease.
CODE 8 Not specified
Used when there is a change to a body structure, but the nature of the change is not described.
CODE 9 Not applicable
Used when it is not appropriate to code the nature of the change to a body structure.
Source and reference attributes
Submitting organisation:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) which is the Australian Collaborating Centre for the World Health Organization Family of International Classifications.
Origin:
WHO 2001. ICF: International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Geneva: WHO
AIHW 2003. ICF Australian User Guide Version 1.0. Canberra: AIHW
Reference documents:
Further information on the ICF, including more detailed codes, can be found in the ICF itself and the ICF Australian User Guide (AIHW 2003), at the following websites:
This data element is used in conjunction with specified body structures, for example ‘partial absence of structures related to movement’. This data element may also be used in conjunction with Person—extent of impairment of body structure, code (ICF 2001) N and Person—location of impairment of body structure, code (ICF 2001) N.
Source and reference attributes
Submitting organisation:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) which is the Australian Collaborating Centre for the World Health Organization Family of International Classifications.
