Does the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for rheumatoid arthritis capture occupational therapy practice? A content-validity study.

Background: The ICF Core Sets for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) constitute an application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Purpose: To explore whether the ICF Core Sets for RA include the areas of functioning and environmental factors that are typically treated by occupational therapists in their clinical everyday practice with clients with RA.

Methods: In a three-round survey occupational therapists were asked about their intervention goals when treating clients with RA.

Psychometric properties of the WHODASII in rehabilitation patients.

Background: To evaluate function and disability, the WHO has developed the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODASII), an instrument arising from the same conceptual basis as the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF).

Objectives: The general objective of this study was to investigate whether the WHODASII--German version-is a valid instrument to measure functioning and disability across various conditions. Specific aims were (1) to assess its psychometric properties (reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change) based on the traditional test theory and (2) to compare its sensitivity to change after a rehabilitative intervention to the Short Form 36 (SF-36).

Content comparison of health-related quality of life instruments for obstructive sleep apnea.

Background And Purpose: Due to the increasing importance of quality of life assessments in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients and due to an increased use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), for comparative purposes it is essential to understand the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instruments and the ICF. The purpose of this study was to compare the content covered by OSA-specific instruments using the ICF.

Patients And Methods: OSA-specific instruments were identified, including the Calgary Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index, the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire, the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patient-Oriented Severity Index, and the Quebec Sleep Questionnaire, and linked to the ICF by six health professionals according to standardized guidelines.

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF): a unifying model for the conceptual description of the rehabilitation strategy.

An important basis for the successful development of rehabilitation practice and research is a conceptually sound description of rehabilitation understood as a health strategy based on a universally accepted conceptual model and taxonomy of human functioning. With the approval of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) by the World Health Assembly in 2001 and the reference to the ICF in the World Health Assembly's resolution on "Disability, including prevention, management and rehabilitation" in 2005, we can now rely on a universally accepted conceptual model. It is thus time to initiate the process of evolving an ICF-based conceptual description that can serve as a basis for similar conceptual descriptions and according definitions of the professions applying the rehabilitation strategy and of distinct scientific fields of human functioning and rehabilitation research.

Concepts important to patients with psoriatic arthritis are not adequately covered by standard measures of functioning.

Objective: To explore whether the concepts important to patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are covered by self-report instruments assessing functioning.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative focus group study with PsA patients about their problems in daily functioning. Focus groups were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim.

Physical disability due to musculoskeletal conditions.

Musculoskeletal conditions (MSC) are common throughout the world and their impact on individuals is diverse and manifold. Knowledge of the determinants for disability and of strategies for prevention and rehabilitation management according to the scientific evidence is critical for reducing the burden of MSC. The first section of this chapter reviews the evidence for common determinants of functioning and disability in patients with MSC.

The World Health Organisation International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: a conceptual model and interface for the OMERACT process.

"What to measure" refers to domains stable over time. "How to measure" is constantly evolving. Lacking a common terminology and common underlying conceptual model of functioning and disability, what and how to measure have been described differently in the various OMERACT Core Sets.

Validation of the comprehensive international classification of functioning, disability and health core set for rheumatoid arthritis: the perspective of physical therapists.

Background And Purpose: The Comprehensive International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Set for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) represents the typical spectrum of problems in the functioning of patients with RA. The objective of this study was to validate this ICF Core Set from the perspective of physical therapists.

Methods: Physical therapists were asked about their intervention goals in a 3-round Delphi survey.

Assessing observer agreement when describing and classifying functioning with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

Objective: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is used increasingly to describe and classify functioning in medicine without being a psychometrically sound measure. All categories of the ICF are quantified using the same generic 0-4 scale. The objective of this study was to assess observer agreement when describing and classifying functioning with the ICF.

Reliability of the ICF Core Set for rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: The comprehensive ICF Core Set for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a selection of 96 categories from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), representing relevant aspects in the functioning of RA patients.

Objectives: To study the reliability of the ICF Core Set for RA in rheumatological practice, and to explore the metric of the qualifiers' scale.

Methods: 25 RA patients from an outpatient department of rheumatology were interviewed using the ICF Core Set for RA (76% females, mean (SD) age 57.

Content comparison of health-related quality of life instruments for COPD.

Background: Due to the increasing importance of quality of life assessments in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, and the increased use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) for comparative purposes it is essential to understand the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQL) instruments and the ICF.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the content of recommended COPD-specific HRQL instruments using the ICF as reference. COPD-specific instruments mentioned in widely accepted guidelines were linked to the ICF using standardized linking rules.

Identification of the most common problems by patients with ankylosing spondylitis using the international classification of functioning, disability and health.

Objective: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) aims to classify functioning and health by a number of categories divided over 3 components: body functions and body structures, participation and activities, and environmental factors. We identified the common health problems of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) based on the ICF from the perspective of the patient.

Methods: During structured interviews with the extended ICF checklist, trained assessors collected data from 111 patients with AS.

Identification of intervention categories for physical therapy, based on the international classification of functioning, disability and health: a Delphi exercise.

Background And Purpose: Disability or limitations in human functioning are universal experiences that concern all people. Physical therapists aim to improve functioning and prevent disability. With the approval of the new International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), we can now rely on a globally recognized framework and classification to be used in different health care situations by all health care professionals in multidisciplinary teams.

Identification of candidate categories of the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) for a Generic ICF Core Set based on regression modelling.

Background: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is the framework developed by WHO to describe functioning and disability at both the individual and population levels.While condition-specific ICF Core Sets are useful, a Generic ICF Core Set is needed to describe and compare problems in functioning across health conditions.

Methods: The aims of the multi-centre, cross-sectional study presented here were: a) to propose a method to select ICF categories when a large amount of ICF-based data have to be handled, and b) to identify candidate ICF categories for a Generic ICF Core Set by examining their explanatory power in relation to item one of the SF-36.

Validation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Set for rheumatoid arthritis from the patient perspective using focus groups.

Functioning is recognized as an important study outcome in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The Comprehensive ICF Core Set for RA is an application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) of the World Health Organisation with the purpose of representing the typical spectrum of functioning of patients with RA. To strengthen the patient perspective, persons with RA were explicitly involved in the validation of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for RA using qualitative methodology.

Measuring functioning in patients with hand osteoarthritis--content comparison of questionnaires based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Objective: When selecting a questionnaire, researchers and clinicians need to know whether or not a questionnaire covers the relevant outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyse and compare the content of questionnaires that have been used to assess functioning in patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA) based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Method: Questionnaires were identified in a structured literature search.

Content comparison of low back pain-specific measures based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the content covered by the North American Spine Society Lumbar Spine Outcome Assessment Instrument, the Oswestry Low Back Disability Questionnaire, and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Methods: The linkage of items of the three measures to the ICF involved three steps, which were performed by two different health professionals and in which 10 different linking rules were applied.

Results: In the 48 items of the three instruments, a total of 123 concepts were identified and linked to the ICF.

Content comparison of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instruments based on the international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF).

The increasing recognition of the patient perspective and, more specifically, functioning and health, has led to an impressive effort in research to develop concepts and instruments to measure them. Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) represent two different perspectives from which to look at functioning and health. Therefore, it is expected that both will often be used concurrently in clinical practice, research and health reporting.

ICF linking rules: an update based on lessons learned.

Objective: Outcome research seeks to understand the end results of health services. Researchers use a wide variety of outcome measures including technical, clinical and patient-oriented measures. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a common reference framework for functioning may contribute to improved outcome research.

Validating the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Comprehensive Core Set for Rheumatoid Arthritis from the patient perspective: a qualitative study.

Objective: To validate the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Comprehensive Core Set for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) from the patient perspective.

Methods: Patients with RA were interviewed about their problems in daily functioning. Interviews were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim.

Understanding functioning, disability, and health in rheumatoid arthritis: the basis for rehabilitation care.

Purpose Of Review: To examine the recent literature on rheumatoid arthritis in relation to functioning and disability, highlighting it from the perspective of the biopsychosocial model of functioning, disability, and health of the World Health Organization. This review focuses on longitudinal studies because they clarify associations found in cross-sectional studies and are useful in shedding light on the mechanisms that explain functioning and disability.

Recent Findings: The studies that contribute best to understanding of functioning and disability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis are studies that (1) incorporate a comprehensive model to integrate different variables of interest, (2) use a longitudinal design to examine the potential casual relationships among the variables, and (3) use hierarchical regression analyses or path analysis to study the relation among variables.

Content comparison of occupation-based instruments in adult rheumatology and musculoskeletal rehabilitation based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

Objective: To compare the content of clinical, occupation-based instruments that are used in adult rheumatology and musculoskeletal rehabilitation in occupational therapy based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Methods: Clinical instruments of occupational performance and occupation in adult rehabilitation and rheumatology were identified in a literature search. All items of these instruments were linked to the ICF categories according to 10 linking rules.

Content comparison of osteoporosis-targeted health status measures in relation to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

The most frequently used instruments for health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with osteoporosis are the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis (QUALEFFO-41) and the Osteoporosis Assessment Questionnaire (OPAQ 2.0 and OPAQ SV). Since HRQL- and International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)-based approaches have both strengths and weaknesses, it is expected that they will be used simultaneously in clinical practice and research.

ICF Core Sets for stroke.

Objective: To report on the results of the consensus process integrating evidence from preliminary studies to develop the first version of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set and the Brief ICF Core Set for stroke.

Methods: A formal decision-making and consensus process integrating evidence gathered from preliminary studies was followed. Preliminary studies included a Delphi exercise, a systematic review, and an empirical data collection.

ICF Core Sets for depression.

Objective: To report on the results of the consensus process integrating evidence from preliminary studies to develop the first version of a Comprehensive ICF Core Set and a Brief ICF Core Set for depression.

Methods: A formal decision-making and consensus process integrating evidence gathered from preliminary studies was followed. Preliminary studies included a Delphi exercise, a systematic review and an empirical data collection.