AMA Criteria for Impairment Arising from Episodic Loss of Consciousness or Awareness

The level of impairment associated with episodic loss of consciousness or awareness can be estimated based on the AMA criteria.

Conditions included:

(1) dizziness and light-headedness

(2) epilepsy

(3) orthostatic hypotension with loss of consciousness

Parameters:

(1) features of paroxysmal disorder

(2) severity of loss in consciousness or awareness

(3) limitation in performance of daily activities

(4) drop in systolic blood pressure without an compensatory change in pulse

(5) other neurologic symptoms

Paroxysmal Disorder	Loss of Consciousness or Awareness	Limitation on Daily Activities	Percent Whole Person Impairment
none	none	none	0%
predictable characteristics but unpredictable occurrence	mild loss of awareness	risk of occurrence may limit participation in some daily activities	0 – 14%
moderate	moderate, lasting 1-2 minutes	some	15 – 29%
frequent	severe, lasting 1-2 minutes	limited to activities that are supervised, protected or restricted	30 – 49%
uncontrolled	severe with risk of bodily injury	severely restricted	50 – 70%

Drop in Blood Pressure	Other Neurologic Findings	Percent Whole Person Impairment
< 15 mm Hg systolic, < 10 mm diastolic	none	0%
15 mm Hg systolic, 10 mm diastolic	none	0 – 14%
25 mm Hg systolic, 15 mm diastolic	none	15 – 29%
30 mm Hg systolic, 20 mm diastolic	focal or generalized	30 – 49%
30 mm Hg systolic, 20 mm diastolic	loss of muscle control	50 – 70%

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