Article

PURPOSE: To describe functioning and disability in patients with multiple
sclerosis (MS) according to the model endorsed by the International
Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF). METHODS: Adult
patients with MS were consecutively enrolled. The Expanded Disability Status
Scale (EDSS), the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHO-DAS II) and the ICF
checklist were administered in individual sessions. Descriptive analyses were
performed to report on EDSS and WHO-DAS II scores. ICF categories reported as a
problem by more than 20% of patients were described in detail. RESULTS: One
hundred patients (70 females, mean age 41.7), 73 with relapsing-remitting MS were
enrolled. Mean WHO-DAS II score was 10.6 and 58 ICF categories were selected: 23
Body Functions and Structures, 21 Activities and Participation and 14
Environmental Factors. CONCLUSIONS: The ICF can be successfully implemented in
clinical and rehabilitation of patients with MS, because it enables to describe
its multiple facets. Little differences between capacity and performance in ICF
categories connected with activities of daily living, and presence of technical
aids and other environmental factors are reported. On the contrary, in categories
related to relationships, performance was worse than capacity thus revealing
attitudinal barriers.

Langue : ANGLAIS