The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and rheumatic diseases

Assessment of the impact of the rheumatic disease on the individual patient is necessary to evaluate the outcome of an intervention targeted at the disease process as well as at the restoration of the patient's functioning. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a comprehensive tool designed to record and organise a wide range of information about health and health related states, based on bio-psycho-social perspective. The ICF components, namely, body functions, body structures, and activities and participation are complemented by the contextual components, environmental factors and personal factors. All of them are in mutual interactions. The ICF contains lists of so-called ICF categories that describe the components of the integrative World Health Organisation model. It uses an alphanumerical model where categories are 'nested' so that broader categories are defined to include more detailed subcategories of the parent categories. Organized in such a way and with more than 1400 categories ICF covers virtually all the spectrum of problems encountered in patients with musculoskeletal conditions. The main practical tools of the ICF include ICF check lists, ICF core sets, ICF categorical profile and ICF assessment sheet. The ICF is likely to become the generally accepted conceptual framework and will be increasingly used in clinical practice to structure patient problems, particularly in multidisciplinary care and for rehabilitation purposes.     

International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in the most important diseases and conditions of rheumatology practice

Musculoskeletal conditions are common throughout the world and their impact on individuals and society is enormous. The integrative and bio-psycho-socialy based model, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is highly useful for structuring determinants of disability in these conditions. ICF encompasses health and health-related domains: body functions and structure, activity and participation and environmental factors. In clinical settings ICF is used for functional status assessment, goal setting and treatment planning and monitoring, as well as outcome measurement. In clinical practice the implementation of ICF is facilitated by the use of the ICF-based applications, such as ICF sheets or ICF Core Sets. In this article it is reported on the most important musculoskeletal conditions in rheumatology practice from the point of view of ICF and is complementary to the article by the same author that appeared in the previous issue of this journal.     

Linking osteoarthritis-specific health-status measures to the International Classification of Functioning,Disability, and Health (ICF)

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to link the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) and Lequesne-Algofunctional indices to the ICF on the basis of linking rules developed specifically to accomplish this aim. The linking process enables the understanding of the relationship between health-status measures and the ICF. METHODS: Since the fifth World Health Organisation/International Liege Against Rheumatism (WHO/ILAR) Task Force and the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials (OMERACT) group recommend the use of WOMAC and the Lequesne-Algofunctional indices in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee in clinical trials, these two health-status measures have been used in this study.Both health-status measures were linked to the ICF separately by two trained health professionals. Consensus between health professionals was used to decide which ICF category should be linked to each item/concept of the two questionnaires. To resolve disagreements between the two health professionals, a third person trained in the linking rules was consulted. RESULTS: Except for the concept of 'morning stiffness', both health professionals agreed on the ICF category chosen to link all the items/concepts of both questionnaires. Altogether, 29 different ICF categories have been linked. Five ICF categories belong to the ICF component 'body functions', 23 categories to the component 'activities and participation', and one category to 'environmental factors'. Both questionnaires have 10 ICF categories in common. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the linking process reflect both the structure of the two questionnaires studied and the relationship between them, showing that the ICF classification can become the cardinal reference for existing health-status measures.     

基于国际功能残疾健康分类的参与测评工具的研究现状

介绍了《国际功能残疾健康分类》中参与概念及测评意义,并对参与测评工具进行综述,旨在为社区康复工作者及研究者选择和使用相关工具提供参考。提出尝试引进及修订国外成熟的参与测评量表,以满足我国康复护理领域的科研及实践需求。     

Review of participation measuring instruments according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)

介绍了《国际功能残疾健康分类》中参与概念及测评意义,并对参与测评工具进行综述,旨在为社区康复工作者及研究者选择和使用相关工具提供参考.提出尝试引进及修订国外成熟的参与测评量表,以满足我国康复护理领域的科研及实践需求.     

The relevance of the International Classification of Functioning,Disability and Health (ICF) to mental disorders and their treatment

This article examines the potential usefulness of the ICF in the treatment of mental disorders. We suggest that there is a poor fit between the nature of mental disorders and the dominant model of health care based on the treatment of acute medical illness. An overemphasis on diagnosis has contributed to a bias toward pharmacotherapy and underuse of psychological treatments for people with mental disorders. Mental disorders are more accurately conceptualized as chronic conditions, in which the person's pattern of functioning rather than diagnosis is most important in determining what services are needed. This is particularly the case for people with serious mental illness, who may have lost the ability to carry out daily tasks, live independently, work, have interpersonal relationships, and engage in leisure pursuits. The ICF is a universal framework for describing the full range of human functioning that is highly consistent with the perspective and treatment approaches of psychiatric rehabilitation. The ICF provides a broad, transdisciplinary framework for treatment planning, defining goals, assessing progress and outcomes, and allocating resources for people with mental disorders. Extended clinical examples are provided to illustrate the potential application of the ICF in this context.     

Outcome evaluation of the hand and wrist according to the International Classification of Functioning,Disability, and Health

This article is a brief review of the outcome evaluation of the hand and wrist according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. Several tools currently exist to quantify outcome in hand surgery at the impairment level (eg, mobility, hand strength, cutaneous sensation, dexterity). According to the World Health Organization's paradigm, however, activity limitations and participation restrictions are also clinically relevant. The authors have recently built a measure of an upper limb-impaired individual's ability to manage manual activities in daily life. Participation and quality of life are difficult outcomes to measure because they are multidimensional and depend on such factors as functional abilities, general physical health, financial security, and stability of the social and familial environment.     

The benefits of an unsupervised exercise program in persons with well-healed burn injuries within the International Classification of Functioning,Disability and Health (ICF)

Vast improvements in the survival rates following burn injuries has led to a greater number of patients living with a wide range of long-term impairments, activity limitations, and participation constraints. Therefore, long-term care is critical in this clinical population and necessitates appropriate rehabilitation strategies to maximize an individual’s overall health. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the extent to which outcomes within the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework are improved following 6 months of unsupervised exercise training is influenced by the severity of a burn injury (i.e., percent body surface area injured). Outcome variables representing the dimensions of the ICF, body functions & structure, activity, and participation, were collected pre- and post- 6 months of exercise training in three groups of participants: non-injured control subjects (N = 11), subjects with moderate-level well-healed burn injuries (N = 13, 26 ± 6% body surface area burned), and subjects with high-level well-healed burn injuries (N = 20, 58 ± 15% body surface area burned). Exercise training improved lower extremity strength (changes in peak torque/kg body mass at 90 degrees/sec flexion: 30 ± 5% and extension: 36 ± 4%, p < 0.05) and functional activities (changes in sit to stand: -9 ± 4% and ascend stairs: -4 ± 1%; p < 0.05) in all groups. For outcome variables representing ICF levels of body functions & structure and activity, there were no differences at baseline or improvements made between the groups after training. That said, with the exception of the domain of functional activity (reported 17 ± 34% improvement in the high-level burn cohort, p < 0.05), no changes were revealed in the participation level of ICF indexed by health-related quality of life questionnaires. These findings support the utilization of a 6-month unsupervised exercise training program in the long-term rehabilitation of individuals with burn injuries; that is, improvements in body functions & structure and activity can be achieved with an exercise regimen regardless of the severity of burn injury.     

基于ICF理论构建手部烧伤住院患者康复护理干预方案

目的构建手部烧伤住院患者康复护理干预方案。方法以《国际功能、残疾和健康分类》(ICF)为理论指导,初步制定包括3个维度24个条目的手部烧伤住院患者康复护理干预方案,筛选简明烧伤量表、握力、关节总活动度等7种疗效评定工具,选送13名专家进行2轮德尔菲法咨询。结果 2轮专家咨询的回收率均为100%;专家权威程度系数Cr为0.91;Kendall协调系数W分别为0.439、0.401。最终形成包括躯体功能康复领域、心理功能康复领域及社会功能康复领域的3个维度22个条目的手烧伤患者康复护理干预方案,并确定简明烧伤量表、握力、关节总活动度及Michigan手功能问卷4种康复疗效测评工具。结论本手部烧伤患者康复护理干预方案可信、可行,可初步用于临床手部烧伤患者的康复护理和效果评价。     

Measuring common outcome measures and their concepts using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in adults with burn injury: a systematic review

Purpose

To identify and quantify the health related concepts contained in the most common outcome instruments used in adult burn care, and to compare the content of these instruments based on their linkage to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The ICF has been validated as a reference tool by the World Health Organization and is a framework that incorporates physical, emotional, environmental and social aspects of daily functioning.

Methods

Electronic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE CINAHL, PsychINFO and the Cochrane Library from 2003 onwards were carried out using a predetermined search strategy. Specific characteristics of the included studies and data pertaining to the outcome instruments were extracted. Two reviewers independently categorised the underlying concepts contained in the most commonly used outcome measures and linked them to ICF categories using standardised linkage rules.

Results

Out of a total 132 included studies, 151 outcome instruments were identified. Of these, 14 frequently used generic and burn-specific instruments were selected for linkage to the ICF. From the 381 items contained in the 14 instruments, 356 concepts were extracted and subsequently linked to 99 ICF categories. Nearly 46% of the concepts were linked to body function and 20% to activities and participation, whereas only a few concepts were formally linked to health condition, body structures and personal or environmental factors.

Conclusion

The ICF proved highly useful for the content comparison of frequently used generic and burn-specific instruments. The results may provide clinicians and researchers with new insights when selecting health-status measures for clinical studies in those with burn injury.     

The Disabilities of the Arm,Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH) can measure the impairment,activity limitations and participation restriction constructs from the International Classification of Functioning,Disability and Health (ICF)

Background  

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model of the consequences of disease identifies three health outcomes, impairment, activity limitations and participation restrictions. However, few orthopaedic health outcome measures were developed with reference to the ICF. This study examined the ability of a valid and frequently used measure of upper limb function, namely the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH), to operationalise the ICF.     

Exploring the relationships between International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) constructs of Impairment, Activity Limitation and Participation Restriction in people with osteoarthritis prior to joint replacement

Background

Hip arthroscopies are often used in the treatment of intra-articular hip injuries. Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) are an important parameter in evaluating treatment. It is unclear which PRO questionnaires are specifically available for hip arthroscopy patients. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate which PRO questionnaires are valid and reliable in the evaluation of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy.

Methods

A search was conducted in Pubmed, Medline, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, Pedro, EMBASE and Web of Science from 1931 to October 2010. Studies assessing the quality of PRO questionnaires in the evaluation of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy were included. The quality of the questionnaires was evaluated by the psychometric properties of the outcome measures. The quality of the articles investigating the questionnaires was assessed by the COSMIN list.

Results

Five articles identified three questionnaires; the Modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS), the Nonarthritic Hip Score (NAHS) and the Hip Outcome Score (HOS). The NAHS scored best on the content validity, whereas the HOS scored best on agreement, internal consistency, reliability and responsiveness. The quality of the articles describing the HOS scored highest. The NAHS is the best quality questionnaire. The articles describing the HOS are the best quality articles.

Conclusions

This systematic review shows that there is no conclusive evidence for the use of a single patient-reported outcome questionnaire in the evaluation of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy. Based on available psychometric evidence we recommend using a combination of the NAHS and the HOS for patients undergoing hip arthroscopy.     

Linking hand therapy outcome measures used after carpal tunnel release to the International Classification of Functioning,Disability and Health: A systematic review

IntroductionThe goal of hand therapy after carpal tunnel release (CTR) is restoration of function. Outcome assessment tools that cover the concepts contained in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), a framework for describing functioning and disability, are appropriate for hand therapy treatment of this diagnosis.Purpose of the StudyTo identify and review outcome measures used in studies on rehabilitation after CTR and link these to the concepts contained in the ICF.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted. Outcome measures in the included studies were linked to the ICF. For data calculation purposes, outcome measures were linked to the specific ICF category, which matched the majority of assessment items if there were components that fit into more than 1 category. The quality of the studies was evaluated, and effect sizes for the treatment interventions were calculated for a comprehensive systematic review.ResultsSeven studies met the inclusion criteria. Eleven outcomes (68.75%) were linked to body function, 1 (6.25%) to body structure, 3 (18.75%) to activity and participation, and 1 (6.25%) to environmental factors. No outcomes were associated with environmental factors or personal factors. Structured Effectiveness for Quality Evaluation of Study scores of the included studies ranged from 23 to 43/48.DiscussionThe predominant outcome tools in the current research on rehabilitation after CTR are impairment measures and are linked to the category of body structures and body functions.ConclusionsFunctional measures, associated with the activity and participation category, are only modestly represented, and there is a lack of representation of environmental and personal factors for outcome measures used following CTR.     

A systematic review of outcomes assessed in randomized controlled trials of surgical interventions for carpal tunnel syndrome using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a reference tool

Background  

A wide range of outcomes have been assessed in trials of interventions for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), however there appears to be little consensus on what constitutes the most relevant outcomes. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the outcomes assessed in randomized clinical trials of surgical interventions for CTS and to compare these to the concepts contained in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).     

A systematic review of outcomes assessed in randomized controlled trials of surgical interventions for carpal tunnel syndrome using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a reference tool

Background  

Minimally-invasive measurement of continuous inter-vertebral motion in clinical settings is difficult to achieve. This paper describes the reliability, validity and radiation exposure levels in a new Objective Spinal Motion Imaging Assessment system (OSMIA) based on low-dose fluoroscopy and image processing.