Revision of the brief international classification of functioning, disability and health core set for multiple sclerosis: a study of the comprehensive icf core set for multiple sclerosis with participants referred for work ability assessment

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the Comprehensive International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Set for multiple sclerosis with regard to the Brief ICF Core Set for multiple sclerosis. Design: Descriptive cross-sectional single-centre study. Subjects: A total of 151 participants (99 females/52 males, mean age 49 years) referred for work ability assessment. Methods: Data were collected from clinical recordings and by telephone interview. Results: Among 33 Body Functions, 14 were impaired in over 60% of the participants, and 6 in over 75%. These 6 most impaired functions were related to exercise tolerance (b455), urination (b620), muscle power (b730), motor reflex (b750), control of voluntary movement (b760) and gait pattern (b770). Among 54 Activities and Participation categories, 8 were impaired in over 60% of the participants, and 3 were impaired in over 75%. The latter activities were related to walking (d450), moving around (d455) and moving around using equipment (d465). Among the 36 Environmental categories, most were facilitators, except for temperature (e2250) and employment (e590). The latter category was both a facilitator and a barrier. Conclusion: These results suggest additional categories that should be included into the Brief ICF Core Set, to improve its representation of the complex disability of multiple sclerosis.