Effectiveness of Reablement: A Systematic Review.

The ageing of the population and the increasing need for long-term care services are global issues. Some countries have adapted homecare programs by introducing an intervention called reablement, which is aimed at optimizing independence. The effectiveness of reablement, as well as its different service models, was examined.

Understanding the Determinants of Weight-Related Quality of Life among Bariatric Surgery Candidates.

Obesity and its relation to quality of life are multifaceted. The purpose of this paper was to contribute evidence to support a framework for understanding the impact of obesity on quality of life in 42 morbidly obese subjects considering a wide number of potential determinants. A model of weight-related quality of life (WRQL) was developed based on the Wilson-Cleary model, considering subjects' weight characteristics, arterial oxygen pressure (PaO(2)), walking capacity (6-minute walk test, 6MWT), health-related quality of life (HRQL; Physical and Mental Component Summaries of the SF-36 PCS/MCS), and WRQL.

Content identification of the IWQOL-Lite with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

Introduction: The identification of the content of a measure could ensure that the most appropriate measure is chosen to meet a particular objective. Mapping the Impact of Weight on Quality Of Life (IWQOL-Lite) to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) will improve the understanding of its structure and aid in the interpretation of the results.

Methods: A mapping exercise was performed by 21 raters using the Delphi technique to identify the ICF codes that best describe the content of the items of the IWQOL-Lite.

Validation of the Charlson Comorbidity Index for predicting functional outcome of stroke.

Objective: To determine whether a separate comorbidity index is needed to predict functional outcome after stroke, we compared the predictability of the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CMI) and the Functional Comorbidity Index (FCI) to that of a stroke-specific comorbidity index with function quantified with a measure developed with a Rasch model as outcome.

Design: Two prospective inception cohort studies, in 1996 through 1998 and in 2002 through 2005, with up to 9 months of follow-up.

Setting: Participants enrolled in 2 studies were recruited from acute care hospitals in the Montreal area.