The objectives of this study were to develop a functional outcome instrument for hip and knee osteoarthritis research (OA-FUNCTION-CAT) using item response theory (IRT) and computer adaptive test (CAT) methods and to assess its psychometric performance compared to the current standard in the field.
In this study, we developed a functional outcome instrument for hip and knee osteoarthritis research (OA-FUNCTION-CAT) using IRT and CAT methodologies and evaluated its psychometric performance compared with the full item bank and with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the current standard in the field.
The recent development of molecularly imprinted polymers enables production of low cost and highly stable sensing chips; however, the commercially available and full functional instruments employed for electrochemical analysis have shortcomings in actual homecare applications.
Thirty-nine percent of all facilities reported availability of functional instruments required for cataract diagnosis and follow-up (slit lamp, ophthalmoscope and retinoscope).
The wide range of function exhibited in this population makes it difficult to develop one functional outcome instrument for all patient groups [ 4, 5].
Other functional instruments particularly used for patients with mild cognitive impairment are the Activities of Daily Living-Prevention Instrument [ 31], developed to rate ADL in prevention of dementia studies, and the Functional Assessment Questionnaire [ 32].
A functional block diagram for the instrument is shown in Fig. 4.
The MSIF [ 46] is a new instrument for rating functional disability in psychiatric outpatients.
However, this survey has been established as a reliable instrument for measuring functional status and has been used in multiple populations in health services research.
The use of this measure in the present study thus provided us with an opportunity to investigate the HSCL-10's overall functional ability as a screening instrument for Pakistani population in comparison to the PADQ, indigenously developed and validated against ICD-10 Diagnostic Criteria in clinical settings.
Other functional instruments used in different clinical settings for assessment of AD patients are the Interview for Deterioration in Daily Living Activities in Dementia [ 27], the Functional Autonomy Measurement System [ 28], and the Rapid Disability Rating Scale [ 29].
