Measuring activities of daily living among haemophiliacs

To explore the activities of daily living (ADL) status and/or changes in functional limitations among haemophiliacs, 97 patients were studied longitudinally using a 41-item checklist. The total number of data items was 239 with repeated inquiries. Hierarchical factor analyses yielded a clear separation of items into five factors by the analogous trunk and limb motion, and the existence of one higher-order factor which indicated that the items measured the same underlying concept. Analyses of ratings showed that in haemophiliacs full flexion of the lower limbs was easily limited, and this deterioration was difficult to prevent. The functional limitation level differed significantly by age group, but some patients showed a slight improvement in a follow-up observation. The ADL of haemophiliacs should be explored separately for trunk and limb motion, not for the traditional categories.