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. 2016 Nov 29;16(1):199.
doi: 10.1186/s12877-016-0376-1.

Comparison of self-reported and performance-based measures of functional ability in elderly patients in an emergency department: implications for selection of clinical outcome measures

Louise M Nielsen  1   2 , Hans Kirkegaard  3 , Lisa G Østergaard  4 , Karina Bovbjerg  4 , Kasper Breinholt  4 , Thomas Maribo  5
Affiliations

Comparison of self-reported and performance-based measures of functional ability in elderly patients in an emergency department: implications for selection of clinical outcome measures

Louise M Nielsen et al. BMC Geriatr. .

Abstract

Background: Assessment of functional ability in elderly patients is often based on self-reported rather than performance-based measures. This study aims to compare self-reported and performance-based measures of functional ability in a population of elderly patients at an emergency department (ED).

Methods: Participants were 61 patients aged 65 years and above admitted to an ED. The self-reported measure used was the Barthel-20; the performance-based measures were Timed Up and Go (TUG); 30s-Chair Stand Test (30s-CST) and Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) with the two scales; motor and process. Correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between the self-reported and performance-based measures of functional ability.

Results: The correlation between the Barthel-20 and the TUG was moderate (r = -0.64). The correlation between the Barthel-20 and the AMPS motor was also moderate (r = 0.53). The correlation between the Barthel-20 and the 30s-CST was fair (r = 0.45). The correlation between Barthel-20 and the AMPS process was non-significant. The results were affected by high ceiling effect (Barthel-20).

Conclusion: Self-reported and performance-based measures seem to assess different aspects of functional ability. Thus, the two methods provide different information, and this highlight the importance of supplementing self-reported measures with performance-based measures when assessing functional ability in elderly patients.

Keywords: Acute care; Assessment; Daily activities; Disability; Functional ability; Performance-based; Self-report.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of study participants
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Plots of correlation between Barthel-20, Timed Up and Go, 30s. Chair-Stand Test and Assessment of Motor and Process Skills
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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