Identifying the concepts contained in outcome measures of clinical trials on breast cancer using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as a reference.

Objectives: To systematically identify and quantify the concepts contained in outcome measures of clinical breast cancer trials using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a reference.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials between 1991 and 2000 were located in MEDLINE and selected according predefined criteria. The outcome measures were extracted and the concepts contained in the outcome measures were linked to the ICF.