Objectives. The impact of disease on functioning is the essential information for clinicians when reporting on health problems of individuals. The International Classification of Functioning,... Show moreObjectives. The impact of disease on functioning is the essential information for clinicians when reporting on health problems of individuals. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a comprehensive and universally accepted model to classify and describe functioning, disability and health in a systematic way. The objective of this article is to outline the development and validation of a health index for patients with AS based on the ICF as a use case. Methods. The project is a combined effort of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society, the ICF Research Branch of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaboration Centre of the Family of International Classifications and the WHO. There are five steps in the development and validation of the health index for patients with AS: (i) development of an item pool; (ii) identification of candidate items; (iii) item selection; (iv) item reduction; and (v) creation of a final version. Consensus about items that have to be part will be reached in a final consensus conference. Results. During a meeting in February 2009, we coordinated the development process of the health index for patients with AS. The results of this investigation will be the health index for patients with AS. Conclusion. The goal of developing a health index for patients with AS based on the ICF is very much in line with the broader goal of the WHO to define health indices to ensure the comparability of them within the framework of the ICF. Show less
Boonen, A.; Braun, J.; Bruinsma, I.E.V.; Huang, F.; Maksymowych, W.; Kostanjsek, N.; ... ; Heijde, D. van der 2010
Objective: To report on the results of a standardised consensus process agreeing on concepts typical and/or relevant when classifying functioning and health in patients with ankylosing spondylitis ... Show moreObjective: To report on the results of a standardised consensus process agreeing on concepts typical and/or relevant when classifying functioning and health in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) based on the International Classification of Functioning and Health (ICF). Methods: Experts in AS from different professional and geographical backgrounds attended a consensus conference and were divided into three working groups. Rheumatologists were selected from members of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS). Other health professionals were recommended by ASAS members. The aim was to compose three working groups with five to seven participants to allow everybody's contribution in the discussions. Experts selected ICF categories that were considered typical and/or relevant for AS during a standardised consensus process by integrating evidence from preceding studies in alternating working group and plenary discussions. A Comprehensive ICF Core Set was selected for the comprehensive classification of functioning and a Brief ICF Core Set for application in trials. Results: The conference was attended by 19 experts from 12 countries. Eighty categories were included in the Comprehensive Core Set, which included 23 Body functions, 19 Body structures, 24 Activities and participation and 14 Environmental factors. Nineteen categories were selected for the Brief Core Set, which included 6 Body functions, 4 Body structures, 7 Activities and participation and 2 Environmental factors. Conclusion: The Comprehensive and Brief ICF Core Sets for AS are now available and aim to represent the external reference to define consequences of AS on functioning. Show less
