Background: Breathlessness affects approximately 10% of the population, significantly impacting a spectrum of domains of a person?s life. Its relationship with disability, measured using the World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS2), has not been explored.

Aim: To describe associations between any breathlessness and degree of disability across different life domains as per WHODAS2.

Methods: Population-based, cross-sectional cohort study using an online survey. Quota sampling (n=10033) matched Australia?s 2016 Census population by age, sex, state of residence and rurality. Measures included: the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) breathlessness scale 0-4; the WHODAS2 12-item assessing disability in six life domains, with global and individual domain score ranges 12-60 and 2-10, respectively (?no disability???complete disability?).

Results: Of 10033 respondents (52% female; median age 45), 42% (n=4245) reported any breathlessness: 31% (n=3139) mMRC 1, 8% (n=806) mMRC 2 and 3% (n=300) mMRC 3-4. Total disability score across all participants was a mean 20.9 (SD 9.5). More severe breathlessness associated with higher levels of disability, for both the total disability score (p<0.001) and all individual disability domains (p<0.001). With worsening breathlessness, the most compromised domains were Mobility and Participation (total mean score 3.8 each), followed by Life activities and Getting along (total mean score 3.5 each). Less adversely impacted were Cognition and Self-care (total mean score 3.3 and 3.0, respectively).

Conclusion: Disability resulting from any breathlessness is multidimensional, with far-reaching consequences on a person?s wellbeing.