Measures of physical functioning predict self-reported performance in self-care, mobility, and domestic life in ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To determine the associations between clinically measured physical functioning variables and self-reported performance in mobility, self-care, and domestic life in ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a framework.

Design: Survey study.

Setting: Community setting in Finland.

Participants: A population-based sample of 120 ambulatory persons with MS (30 men, 90 women) with mean age 45.0+/-10.8 years (range, 20-71 y), mean disease duration from symptom onset 12.3+/-8.8 years (range, 1-39 y), and mean Expanded Disability Status Scale 2.8+/-2.0 (range, 0-6.5).

Interventions: Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures: The primary dependent variables were self-reported performance in self-care, mobility, and domestic life from the Functional Status Questionnaire. The physical functioning variables were drawn from the ICF activities (n=9) and body functions (n=14) categories. Age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios from multinomial logistic regression were estimated for the physical functioning variables associated with activities of daily living (ADL) performance.

Results: Overall, of this cohort 31% reported difficulties or dependence in self-care, 52% in mobility, and 68% in domestic life. The most significant predictors of perceived difficulties or dependence in ADL performance were: (1) lower scores in the Box and Block Test; (2) lower Berg Balance Scale scores; (3) greater velocity moment when standing with eyes open; (4) slower ten-meter walk test times and shorter stride length at normal speed; and (5) shorter distance in the six-minute walk test.

Conclusions: Perceived difficulties and dependence were most prominent in domestic life. In particular, measures of activities predicted difficulties in ADL performance. Monitoring of physical functioning should be extended to those independent MS persons reporting difficulties in ADL performance.