Sinikka Tarvonen-Schröder, Anne Kaljonen, Katri Laimi
Department of Rehabilitation and Brain Trauma, Turku University Hospital, PO Box 52, FI-20521 Turku, Finland. E-mail: sinikka.tarvonen-schroder@tyks.fi
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2501

Objective: To compare easy-to-use International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)-based measures of functioning with the level and severity of spinal cord injury.
Methods: Cross-sectional study. Patients (n = 142) and their significant others completed the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2. 0) questionnaire. A physician at the university hospital outpatient clinic assessed functioning with the 7-item World Health Organization (WHO) minimal generic set.
Results: The patient and proxy WHODAS sum score was rated severe with decreasing severity in groups with complete and partial tetraplegia and paraplegia, respectively. Working ability was rated most severely impaired in the tetraplegic groups. Between-group differences were also found in mobility, household tasks, and self-care. Mobility was found to be associated with lesion severity; life activities, participation and friendships with lesion level; and self-care and WHODAS sum score with both lesion severity and level. Depending on the level and severity of spinal cord injury, a moderate to strong correlation was found between the sum scores of the 2 tools, and mostly very strong correlations between patient and proxy assessments of functioning.
Conclusion: Both generic ICF-based tools, despite their briefness, seemed to be useful as they were able to differentiate various levels and severities of spinal cord injury. We recommend using the 12-item WHODAS 2. 0 when planning individualized services for patients with spinal cord injury.

Two easy-to-use validated International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)-based tools, the 12-item patient and proxy World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) and the 7-item World Health Organization minimal generic set used by a physician, were found to be reliable and useful in assessing functioning in patients with spinal cord injury. These tools can, with little effort, be used to detect activity limitations and participation restrictions, and differentiate various severities and levels of spinal cord injury. As the minimal generic set is brief and limited, we recommend using the 12-item WHODAS 2.0 when planning individualized services for patients with spinal cord injury.