Related Experiment Videos
How do we classify functional status?
B M Meyboom-de Jong1, R J Smith
1Department of Family Medicine, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
Family Medicine
|February 1, 1992
Summary
Classifying functional status involves ordering limitations in primary care patients. Elderly patients, particularly women and those in nursing homes, experience significant physical and psychological limitations, especially with chronic conditions.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Primary Care Medicine
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Functional status is a key indicator of health in primary care.
- Classifying functional limitations aids in patient management and resource allocation.
- Previous research has not fully established a clear classification for functional status in elderly primary care patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To rephrase and address the question of how to classify functional status.
- To order and arrange the limitations of function for primary care patients into classes.
- To present the concept of functional status using empirical data.
Main Methods:
- A review of functions to be considered was performed.
- Empirical data from the "Morbidity and Functional Status of the Elderly" project was utilized.
- Functional status was assessed using five COOP charts (physical, psychological, daily activities, social, change) for 5,502 elderly patients (≥65 years) and 25 general practitioners across 12 practices. Morbidity was registered using the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC).
Main Results:
- At study baseline and end, 30% of elderly patients reported seriously limited physical functions; 6-8% reported psychological problems or limitations in daily activities/social contacts.
- During encounters, limitations were more pronounced: 35% involved serious physical limitations, 18% serious activities of daily living limitations, and 11% constant psychological problems/social contact limitations.
- Women, older patients, and nursing home residents reported more limitations. Cerebrovascular disease, dementia, and certain cancers were associated with the greatest functional limitations, while hypertension and common colds showed the least.
Conclusions:
- Functional status classification requires a systematic approach to ordering patient limitations.
- Significant physical and psychological limitations are prevalent among elderly primary care patients, varying by demographics and living situation.
- Specific chronic diseases, such as cerebrovascular disease and cancer, are strongly associated with severe functional impairment, necessitating targeted interventions.