Validating the functional capacity index as a measure of outcome following blunt multiple trauma

Ellen J. MacKenzie, W. J. Sacco, S. Luchter, J. F. Ditunno, C. Forrester Staz, G. S. Gruen, D. W. Marion, W. C. Schwab, Jeffrey J. Bednarski, Frederick C. Beyer, Matthew Indeck, Robert A. Jubelirer, S. Lee Miller, Michael D. Pasquale, Andrew B. Pietzman, C. William Schwab, J. Stanley Smith, Raymond C. Talucci, Ricard N. Townsend, Jerome J. Vernick

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The validity of the Functional Capacity Index (FCI) is evaluated by examining its distributional characteristics, its correlation with other well-known measures of outcome and its ability to discriminate among persons with injuries of varying type and severity. Methods: A telephone survey which included the FCI and the SF-36 was administered 1 year post-injury to 1240 blunt trauma patients discharged from 12 trauma centers. A subsample of 656 patients also completed the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) by mail. Results: FCI scores correlated well with the physical health subscores of the SIP and SF-36. They also correlated well with self-reported change in health status and return to work. The FCI, when compared to either the SF-36 or the SIP, however, appears to discriminate better among patients according to the presence and severity of head trauma. Conclusions: While further testing of the FCI is needed, it holds promise as a preference based measure for assessing the physical impact of trauma.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)797-808
Number of pages12
JournalQuality of Life Research
Volume11
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2002

Keywords

  • Functional Capacity Index
  • Outcomes
  • SF-36
  • Sickness Impact Profile
  • Trauma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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