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. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nielsen, Louise; Kirkegaard, Hans; Østergaard, Lisa; Bovbjerg, Karina; Breinholt, Kasper; Maribo, Thomas
• Is Part Of: BMC geriatrics. Volume 16:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 7
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Assessment -- Performance-based -- Self-report -- Daily activities -- Acute care -- Functional ability -- Disability; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97005
• DOI: 10.1186/s12877-016-0376-1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-2318

Abstract

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.