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DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1088799
The WHO-ICF Core Set for breast cancer: Evaluation of the first results
Introduction: The ICF Core Set is an application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) with the purpose of representing the typical spectrum of problems in functioning of patients with breast cancer (BC). The objective of the present investigation was to study the content validity of the ICF Core Set for BC. M ethods: In the study 218 patients with BC were included. The ICF Core Set contains 26 categories from the component body functions, 9 from body structures, 22 from activities and participation, and 23 from environmental factors. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the frequency with which the patients of the study population had a problem in the ICF categories. Results: 171 patients from Germany, 20 from Switzerland, 16 from Malaysya and 8 from Austria participated in the study. All ICF categories were a problem for more than 5% of the patients. More than 70% of the patients presented a problem in the ICF categories “muscle endurance functions“, “energy and drive functions“ and the structure “breast and nipple“. The most frequently restricted activity was “lifting and carrying objects“ (67%). The following environmental factors were considered a facilitator by more than 70% of the patients: “health professionals“, “immediate family“ and “friends“. Conclusions: This study largely support the content validity of the ICF Core Set for BC. The ultimate aim is to come up with a tool that can be used in clinical practice to describe functioning disabilities in patients with BC from all over the world.
International classification of functioning - breast cancer - disability and health