Relationship between subjectively-rated and objectively-tested physical function across six different medical diagnoses
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v55.9383Keywords:
Patient reported outcome measures, Performance-based measurement, 6-minute walk test, SF-36, SF-36 Physical functioningAbstract
Objective: To quantify and compare associations and relationships between self-rated and tested assessments of mainly mobility-related physical function in different diagnoses.
Design: Six longitudinal cohort studies before and after inpatient rehabilitation.
Patients: Patients with whiplash-associated disorder (n = 71), low back pain (n = 121), fibromyalgia (n = 84), lipoedema (n = 27), lymphoedema (n = 78), and post-acute coronary syndrome (n = 64).
Methods: Physical function was measured with the self-rated Short-Form 36 Physical functioning (SF-36 PF) and with the tested 6-Min Walk Distance (6MWD) and assessed by correlation coefficients. Across the 6 cohorts, the relationship between the 2 scores was compared using the ratio between them.
Results: The correlations between the 2 scores were mostly moderate to strong at baseline (up to r = 0.791), and weak to moderate for the changes to follow-up (up to r = 0.408). The ratios SF-36 PF to 6MWD were 1.143–1.590 at baseline and 0.930–3.310 for the changes, and depended on pain and mental health.
Conclusion: Moderate to strong cross-sectional and moderate to weak longitudinal correlations were found between the 6MWD and the SF-36 PF. Pain and mental health should be considered when interpreting physical function. For a comprehensive assessment in clinical practice and research, the combination of self-rated and tested physical function measures is recommended.
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