Validation of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 among older adults in an Asian country

INTRODUCTION@#As populations age globally and the burden of chronic illnesses increases, valid measures of disability are needed for assessment in the older adult population. The aim of the current analysis was to explore the psychometric properties and validity of the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) in an epidemiological survey of older adults in Singapore.@*METHODS@#The study comprised secondary data analysis of the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly study. Inclusion criteria for the study were Singapore residents (Singapore citizens and permanent residents) aged 60 years and above. The 12-item interviewer-administered version of the WHODAS 2.0 was used to assess disability in the study. Data on cognition, health status and sociodemographic information were collected. Depression was assessed using the Automated Geriatric Examination for Computer Assisted Taxonomy.@*RESULTS@#The study found a one-factor model solution for WHODAS 2.0 with a high internal consistency of all items. The internal consistency for the overall scale was 0.92. The WHODAS 2.0 score positively correlated with multimorbidity, perceived overall health status, depression and subsyndromal depression. There was a significant inverse association between the WHODAS 2.0 score and the cognitive status. After adjustment for all sociodemographic variables in the multiple linear regression analysis, these measures remained significantly associated with the WHODAS 2.0 score.@*CONCLUSION@#WHODAS 2.0 was found to be a valid measure of disability among older adults. However, further research is required to determine its usefulness as a responsive instrument that can detect change following interventions.

Disability among lung cancer patients and its predictors: a cross-sectional study in a tertiary care centre at Kolkata, India

Background: Lung cancer is one of the commonest cancer worldwide and also in India. Being a chronic disease, it is expected to result in disability during the course of the illness. Disability in turn results in deterioration of mental health and leads to poor quality of life. The present study intended to assess the degree of disability among lung cancer patients and to find out the covariates of the same.Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study had been conducted over a period of six months among lung cancer patients attending a tertiary care centre. Exit interview had been conducted with a pretested schedule after taking informed consent. Disability had been assessed by WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). Data were entered and analysed in SPSS 20.0 version.Results: A total of 210 patients were recruited in this study. Half of the study population were suffering from higher level of disability. Multivariate analysis revealed degree of disability was higher among the patients who were financially dependent to others, had advanced stage of the disease and when time since diagnosis was more than one month.Conclusions: Holistic approach needs to be taken up to address this alarming issue of disability and its consequences among lung cancer patients. The approach should include various rehabilitative measures, social security schemes by the government and active involvement of non-governmental organisations.

Self-reported disability in women with fibromyalgia from a tertiary care center

Abstract Background: The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 is a generic instrument to assess disability. Pain and psychological factors seem to play a pronounced disabling role in fibromyalgia (FM). There are few studies that investigate the factors associated with disability in patients with fibromyalgia from the patient's perspective. Information about FM disability using self-reported questionnaires is limited. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the ordinal response variable (degree of disability), and four explanatory variables: pain intensity, depression, anxiety, and alexithymia. Methods: One hundred fifteen women with FM were enrolled in the cross-sectional study. For the assessment of disability the WHODAS 2.0 (36-item version) was used. Univariate and multivariate (ordinal logistic regression) analyses were performed to assess the relationship between pain (Visual Analogue Scale), depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), alexithymia (Modified Toronto Alexithymia Scale) and disability. Results: Disability was detected by global WHODAS score in 114 patients (99%), with the corresponding percentages for mild, moderate and severe disability being 11.3, 46.96 and 40.87%, respectively. Global WHODAS score was more severe among subjects with depression (50 vs 36.4, p < 0.001, effect size = 0.33) and alexithymia (50 vs 33.6, p < 0.001, effect size = 0.38). Pain intensity mean scores for mild, moderate and severe disability were 5.0, 6.1 and 7.3, respectively (p < 0.001, omega-squared = 0.12). Pain intensity explained the global disability degree and its domains except for the cognitive one. Whereas, depression explained cognitive and personal relation domains. On the other hand, alexithymia explained global disability degree and all domains of WHODAS 2.0 questionnaire. Conclusions: Most of the patients with fibromyalgia perceived themselves with moderate to severe disability. The main explanatory variables of the perceived disability were the pain intensity and psychological factors (alexithymia and depression).

Evaluation of the quality of recovery and the postoperative health status after elective surgery / Avaliação da qualidade da recuperação e do estado de saúde no pós-operatório de cirurgias eletivas

Abstract Purpose: Postoperative recovery is a complex process with physiologic, functional, and psychologic dimensions. Postoperative quality of recovery is considered as a crucial outcome following surgery and anesthesia. The objective of this study was to assess and compare the quality of postoperative recovery and health status before and after surgery, in patients undergoing elective surgery. Methods: This observational, prospective study was conducted on patients proposed for elective surgery. Evaluation of postoperative recovery was performed using the Postoperative Quality of Recovery Scale and health status was assessed by applying the EuroQol assessing problems in five dimensions: mobility, personal care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression, and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. Poor quality of recovery was defined as recovery in fewer than two domains at postoperative Day 1 in the Postoperative Quality of Recovery Scale. Results: Before surgery (D0), patients with poor quality of recovery had median Visual Analog Scale scores in EuroQol similar to those of patients without poor quality of recovery, but they had more problems in the mobility, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression dimensions. At 3 months after surgery, patients with poor quality of recovery had median Visual Analog Scale scores in EuroQol similar to those of patients without poor quality of recovery, but they maintained more problems in the pain/discomfort dimension. Patients with poor quality of recovery scored significantly higher on the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 scale at baseline, although the results were similar at 3 months. Conclusions: Patients with poor quality of recovery had the worst health status at D0. Evaluation at 3 months indicated similar rates of problems in EuroQol (except for pain/discomfort) and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 scores were similar.

Resumo Objetivo: A recuperação pós-operatória é um processo complexo com dimensões fisiológicas, funcionais e psicológicas. A qualidade da recuperação pós-operatória é considerada um resultado crucial após cirurgia e anestesia. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e comparar a qualidade da recuperação pós-operatória e o estado de saúde antes e depois da cirurgia em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia eletiva. Métodos: Este estudo observacional prospectivo foi feito com pacientes agendados para cirurgia eletiva. A avaliação da recuperação pós-operatória foi feita com a Escala de Qualidade da Recuperação Pós-Operatória (Postoperative Quality of Recovery Scale) e o estado de saúde foi avaliado com a aplicação do EuroQol, que analisa problemas em cinco dimensões (mobilidade, cuidados pessoais, atividades habituais, dor/desconforto e ansiedade/depressão) e a ferramenta para medida de incapacidade desenvolvida pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0). Má qualidade de recuperação foi definida como uma recuperação em menos de dois domínios da Escala de Qualidade da Recuperação Pós-Operatória no primeiro dia (D1) de pós-operatório. Resultados: Antes da cirurgia (D0), os pacientes com má qualidade de recuperação apresentaram escores medianos na escala visual analógica semelhantes aos dos pacientes sem má qualidade de recuperação, mas apresentaram mais problemas nas dimensões mobilidade, atividades habituais, dor/desconforto e ansiedade/depressão. No terceiro mês após a cirurgia, os pacientes com má qualidade de recuperação apresentaram escores na escala visual analógica medianos no EuroQol semelhantes aos dos pacientes sem má qualidade de recuperação, mas apresentaram mais problemas na dimensão dor/desconforto. Os escores World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 dos pacientes com má qualidade de recuperação foram significativamente maiores no início do estudo, embora os resultados tenham sido semelhantes no terceiro mês. Conclusões: Os pacientes com má qualidade de recuperação apresentaram o pior estado de saúde no D0. A avaliação no terceiro mês indicou taxas semelhantes de problemas no EuroQol (exceto dor/desconforto) e escores semelhantes no World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0.

Análisis de discapacidad utilizando WHODAS 2. 0 versión de 12 preguntas a pacientes de Instituto Teletón Santiago dos años después de su alta institucional / Analisis of disability using WHODAS 2. 0 among patients from Santiago Teleton Institute two years after discharge

Introducción: El Instituto Teletón Santiago es una organización sin fines de lucro dedicada a proporcionar rehabilitación integral a niños con discapacidades físicas hasta que cumplen 20 años de edad. Objetivo: Evaluar el nivel de discapacidad en sujetos del Instituto Teletón Santiago 2 años después del alta. Método: La versión de 12 ítems del cuestionario de Evaluación de la Discapacidad de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (12-Whodas) se aplicó a través de entrevista telefónica a pacientes o a su representante del Instituto Teletón Santiago 2 años después de su alta. Resultados: La puntuación mediana global de 12-Whodas fue de 17,0 puntos. La dificultad de desempeño es moderada o severa en todos los dominios en más del 40% de los pacientes y varía entre el 55,4% en movilidad y 42,6% en cuidado personal. El tener una actividad laboral independiente y educación universitaria fue asociado a una discapacidad leve (OR: 0,06 y 0,26, respectivamente), mientras que una mayor edad y el estar desempleados por razones de salud fue asociado a una discapacidad severa (OR: 1,15 y 2,80, respectivamen-te). Conclusiones: Hubo un nivel clínicamente significativo de discapacidad en todos los dominios descritos en 12-Whodas. Confirmamos los datos internacionales de que ser autónomo laboralmente y tener estudios universitarios está asociado con un menor nivel de discapacidad. Destaca la falta de educación inclusiva para estas personas. La adaptación y validación del instrumento 12-Whodas en individuos con enfermedades neuromusculo-esqueléticas es necesaria para proporcionar datos normativos específicos que permitan comparaciones internacionales.

Introduction: Chile Teletón Institute is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive rehabilitation to children with physical disabilities until they reach 20 years of age. Method: The 12-item version of the World Health Organiza-tion Disability Assessment Schedule (12-Whodas) survey was applied by phone interview to patients or representatives from Santiago Teletón Institute, 2 years after discharge. Results: The 12-Whodas global median score was 17 points. The perfor-mance difficulty is moderate or severe in all domains in more than 40% of the patients, and varies between 55.4% in mobility and 42.6% in personal care. Being self-employed and having a college education were associated with a lower level of disabi-lity (OR: 0.06 and 0.26, respectively), whereas being older and unemployed for health reasons were associated with a higher likelihood of severe disability (OR: 1.15 and 2.80, respectively). Conclusions: There was a clinically significant level of disabi-lity in all the domains described in 12-Whodas. We confirm international data reporting that being self-employed and co-llege-educated are associated with a lower level of disability. A lack of inclusive education for this population stands out. Adaptation and validation of the 12-Whodas in individuals with neuromusculoskeletal disorders is needed to provide specific normative data allowing international comparisons.

Korean Cultural Adaptation of WHODAS 2.0 (36-Item Version): Reliability and Linking to ICF

PURPOSE: This study was to conduct a Korean cultural adaptation of the WHO disability assessment schedule (WHODAS) 2.0: 36-item version. METHODS: An internationally standardized process of translation and cultural adaptation of an instrument was used to develop a Korean version of WHODAS 2.0: 36-item version. Linking each item into the international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF) was also conducted in order to ensure the concepts in the translated instrument were compatible with ICF. All translated versions of the instrument, linking results and feedback from participants were used for the final adaptation of the Korean version of the instrument. The Korean version of the instrument was assessed twice on different occasions to examine inter- and intra-rater reliability, and the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated. RESULTS: Twelve participants were involved in the translation and linking process. Ninety-five volunteers were invited to participate to examine the reliability of the instrument. Fifty participants completed the self-rated version of the instrument and 45 finished the interviewer version. The Korean WHODAS 2.0: 36-item version was found to have excellent reliability: self-rated version and interviewer version reliability coefficients were ICC=0.92 and ICC=0.94, respectively. Thirty-four items of the translated instrument were to be linked to ICF categories. Some adaptation was made; details and a familiar example were added to help respondents answer the questions. CONCLUSION: The study results show that the adaptation of the 36-item version of WHODAS 2.0 to Korean was successful and the instrument is ready for use in testing its psychometric properties.

WHODAS and the evaluation of disability among people with mental disorders with and without psychotic symptoms / El WHODAS y la evaluación de discapacidad en personas con trastornos mentales con y sin síntomas psicóticos

Abstract Introduction Valid and feasible measures to properly assess the most impaired areas of functioning in various groups of patients with mental disorders would allow the development and evaluation of interventions designed to modify the specific environmental barriers that contribute to patients´ disability. Objective This article seeks to evaluate the internal consistency and construct and convergent validity of the Spanish version of the World Health Organization's Disability Assessment Schedule WHODAS 2.0, as well as its relationship with sociodemographic variables and symptomatic severity in Mexican patients with and without psychotic symptoms. Method The WHODAS 2.0 and the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale SOFAS were administered to 153 patients with any of the following diagnoses: affective disorders, anxiety disorders, stress-related disorders, and psychotic disorders. Results The WHODAS 2.0 showed high internal consistency in patients with psychotic symptoms (Cronbach's alpha = .92) and without psychotic symptoms (Cronbach's alpha = .89). Nevertheless, only in patients without psychotic symptoms, was a significant negative correlation between WHODAS (disability) and SOFAS (functioning) total scores observed, together with significant differences in WHODAS scores between those with mild and severe symptomatology. Discussion and conclusion The WHODAS 2.0 is an adequate measure of disability in patients without psychotic symptoms. It could be used as a complementary measure of disability in those with psychotic symptoms. Further studies are required to determine other psychometric properties of the WHODAS 2.0, particularly those related to temporal stability and sensitivity to change.

Resumen Introducción Disponer de medidas válidas y confiables para evaluar las áreas de funcionamiento más comprometidas en los diferentes grupos de pacientes con trastornos mentales permitiría el desarrollo y la evaluación de intervenciones dirigidas a modificar barreras específicas del contexto que contribuyen a su deterioro funcional. Objetivo Evaluar la consistencia interna y la validez de constructo y convergente de la versión en español del cuestionario para la evaluación de discapacidad de la Organización Mundial de la Salud WHODAS 2.0, así como su relación con variables demográficas y la gravedad sintomática en pacientes mexicanos con y sin síntomas psicóticos. Método El WHODAS y la escala de evaluación del funcionamiento social y ocupacional SOFAS se aplicaron a una muestra de 153 pacientes con algún diagnóstico de trastorno afectivo, de ansiedad, relacionado con el estrés o psicótico. Resultados El WHODAS mostró alta consistencia interna en pacientes con síntomas psicóticos (alpha de Cronbach = .92) y en aquellos sin síntomas psicóticos (alpha de Cronbach = .89). Sin embargo, sólo en los pacientes sin síntomas psicóticos se observó una correlación negativa entre las puntuaciones del WHODAS 2.0 (discapacidad) y el SOFAS (funcionalidad) así como diferencias significativas en las puntuaciones WHODAS de aquellos con sintomática leve y grave. Discusión y conclusión La escala WHODAS 2.0 es adecuada para medir discapacidad en pacientes sin síntomas psicóticos. En aquellos con síntomas psicóticos, podría servir más bien con fines complementarios. Se sugieren estudios para determinar otras propiedades psicométricas del WHODAS, especialmente las relacionadas con su estabilidad temporal y sensibilidad al cambio.

Multicentric study of epidemiological and clinical characteristics of persons injured in motor vehicle accidents in Medellín, Colombia, 2009-2010 / Estudio multicéntrico de las características epidemiológicas y clínicas de las personas lesionadas en accidentes de tránsito en Medellín, Colombia, 2009-2010

Introduction: Traffic accidents (TA) cause 1.23 million deaths each year worldwide while between 20 and 50 million persons are injured each year. In 2011 in Medellin, Colombia, there were 307 traffic deaths and 23,835 injured with 411 accidents for each 10,000 vehicles. Objective: The purpose of the study was to describe the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics, as well as the quality of life and disability outcomes for those injured in traffic accidents in Medellin. Methods: This prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study collected data from 834 patients that were classified with the New Injury Severity Score (NISS) , the WHO-DAS-II (Disability Assessment) Scale and the SF-36 Health Survey. Results: Three-fourths (75.8%) of the patients were male. Eighty-one percent (81.0%) of patients were involved in motorcycle accidents, with 45.6% suffering moderate trauma, and 32.6% experiencing severe trauma. Of the patients with severe trauma, 8.5% were not wearing helmets. Half of the sample (49.7%) injured their extremities. The WHODAS-II domains most affected were: Activities outside the home (62.0%), Housework (54.3%) and Moving in one's environment (45.2%). Quality of life areas affected were: Physical role (20.3%), Body pain (37.3%), Emotional role (44.1%), Physical functioning (52.6%). Conclusions: Patients with more severe injuries had higher levels of disability and a worse quality of life. Motorcycles made up a large proportion of traffic accidents in this city and mitigation strategies to reduce this public health problem should particularly focus on this high-risk group.

Antecedentes: Los accidentes de tránsito (AT) causan 1.23 millones de muertes en el mundo, y entre 20 y 50 millones sufren lesiones no fatales. En Medellín (Colombia) en el 2011 hubo 307 muertos en AT y 23.835 heridos, con 411 accidentes por cada 10.000 vehículos. Objetivo: Describir las características epidemiológicas, clínicas, de calidad de vida y discapacidad de los pacientes luego de un AT en Medellín. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo trasversal prospectivo del estado inicial de una cohorte de 834 pacientes, clasificados de acuerdo a la gravedad de trauma (NISS) y las escalas WHO-DAS II y SF-36. Resultados: En el 81% de los AT estuvieron involucradas motos, con lesiones moderadas en el 45.6 %, y graves en el 32.6% de ellos. No utilizaban casco el 8.5% de los pacientes con NISS grave. En el 49.7% se afectaron los miembros inferiores. Los dominios del WHO-DAS II más afectados fueron: actividades fuera del hogar (62.0%) actividades domésticas (54.3%) y moverse en el entorno (45.2%). La calidad de vida comprometió los dominios de desempeño físico (20.3%), dolor corporal (37.3%), desempeño emocional (44.1%) y funcionamiento físico (52.6%). Conclusiones: Los pacientes con lesiones más graves tuvieron mayor compromiso en la discapacidad y en la calidad de vida. Esta carga de enfermedad la producen principalmente los AT en los que están involucradas las motos.

Factores relacionados con la carga de discapacidad en personas con intento de suicidio, atendidas en la red pública de servicios de salud de Santiago de Cali / Factors related to the disability burden in people with suicidal attempts attended in the public health care service network of Santiago de Cali

Introducción: Según la Organización Mundial de la Salud, las secuelas del intento de suicidio constituyen la sexta causa de mala salud y discapacidad en el mundo. Objetivo: Establecer los grados de discapacidad y sus factores relacionados, en términos de restricciones en la participación y limitaciones en la actividad, en personas con intento de suicidio entre septiembre del 2009 y junio del 2010, atendidas en la Red Pública de Servicios de Salud de Santiago de Cali. Método: Estudio observacional de corte transversal en 126 personas con intento de suicidio, con edades entre 15 y 65 años. Se empleó la versión en español de la Escala de Evaluación de Discapacidad de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Resultados: Se calcularon 30 años de vida ajustados en función de la discapacidad (AVAD), se estimó una prevalencia del 95,3 % de discapacidad. El 4,6 % de la muestra no presenta discapacidad; el 41,27 %, discapacidad leve; el 38,1 %, discapacidad moderada, y el 15,87 %, discapacidad severa. Los factores relacionados con discapacidad fueron: edad, ocupación, presencia de enfermedad mental, presencia de síntomas depresivos actuales, métodos fatales, consumo de medicamentos psiquiátricos, limitaciones en la actividad, restricciones en la participación y no práctica religiosa. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de discapacidad en personas con intento de suicidio atendidas en la Red Pública de Servicios de Salud de Santiago de Cali fue del 95,3 %. Los resultados son acordes con el estudio de carga mundial de enfermedad que establece una alta carga para trastornos mentales asociados a intento de suicidio. La presencia de una deficiencia posterior al intento de suicidio incrementa la carga de discapacidad.

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the aftermaths of suicide attempts are the sixth leading cause of poor health and disability in the world. Object: Establish the level of disability and related factors in terms of restrictions regarding participation and activity limitations in cases of suicidal attempts attended by the Public Service Network Health of Santiago de Cali, from September 2009 to June 2010. Methodology: A cross-section, observational study was applied to 126 people between 15 and 65 who had attempted suicide and were treated at the Public Health Service in Santiago de Cali. A Spanish version of the Disability Assessment Scale of the World Health Organization Results: 30 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were calculated together with a disability prevalence of 95.3%. 4.6% of the sample did not show disability while 41.27% had mild disability, 38.1%, moderate disability, and 15.87%, severe disability. Factors related with disability were: Age, occupation, presence of mental illness, current depressive symptoms, lethal methods, use of psychiatric drugs, activity limitations, participation restrictions and lack of religious practice. Conclusions: The prevalence of disability in people who have committed suicidal attempts treated at the public health services in Santiago de Cali, was 95.3%. The results are consistent with the study of global burden of disease that establishes a high score for mental disorders in suicidal attempts. The presence of a deficiency after the suicide attempt increases the burden of disability.

Predictors for Change in Disability in Community-Dwelling Elders / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the predictors for change in disability measured by the Korean version of World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II-K) in community-dwelling elderly population. METHODS: Of 1204 community participants aged 65 years or over, 717 were reevaluated by WHODAS II-K 2 years later. At baseline, information on demographic characteristics (age, gender, living area, marital status, and religion), socioeconomic status (education, type of accommodation, number of rooms, previous occupation, current employment, and social network), and clinical characteristics (number of physical illness, depression by the Korean version of Geriatric Mental State Schedule B3, and cognitive impairment by Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination) were collected. RESULTS: Scores on the WHODAS II-K increased by 17.5 in 2 years. Age (B coefficient 0.52, 95% CI: 0.21~0.84), number of rooms (B coefficient -1.92, 95% CI: -3.53~-0.30), and depression (B coefficient 1.84, 95% CI: 0.43~3.25) were independently significant predictors for change in disability. CONCLUSION: Change in the level of disability measured by the WHODAS II-K was mainly affected by age, number of rooms, and depression. These results can be useful for the development of community-based health promotion program for the elderly.

Development of Korean version of World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II-K) in Community Dwelling Elders / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to develop the Korean version of World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II-K) with community dwelling elderly population. METHODS: The WHODAS II-K was administered to 1204 community residents aged 65 or over in two areas of Kwangju, South Korea, in 2001. For assessing 'health condition', data on physical illness, depression (Korean version of Geriatric Mental State Schedule B3), and cognitive dysfunction (Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination) were collected. For evaluating 'contextual factors', informations on demographic characteristics (age, gender, living area, marital state, and religiou), socioeconomic status (education, type of accommodation, number of room, previous occupation, and current employment), and social network were obtained. RESULTS: WHODAS II-K showed high levels of internal consistency, split-half reliability, and inter-rater and test-retest reliabilities. In the correlation analyses, scores on the WHODAS II-K were significantly correlated with the unfavorable conditions in the all variables on health condition and contextual factors. Partial correlations of scores on the WHODAS II-K with health condition were significant even after controlling for contextual factors. CONCLUSION: The WHODAS II-K is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing disability in elderly population since it reflects physical illness, depression, and cognitive impairment, which are common in elderly.