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Relationship between subjectively-rated and objectively-tested physical function across six different medical diagnoses, 2023, Benz et al

Discussion in 'Other health news and research' started by Andy, Dec 6, 2023.

  1. Andy

    Andy Committee Member

    Messages:
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    Location:
    Hampshire, UK
    ABSTRACT

    Objective: To quantify and compare associations and relationships between self-rated and tested assessments of mainly mobility-related physical function in different diagnoses.

    Design: Six longitudinal cohort studies before and after inpatient rehabilitation.

    Patients: Patients with whiplash-associated disorder (n = 71), low back pain (n = 121), fibromyalgia (n = 84), lipoedema (n = 27), lymphoedema (n = 78), and post-acute coronary syndrome (n = 64).

    Methods: Physical function was measured with the self-rated Short-Form 36 Physical functioning (SF-36 PF) and with the tested 6-Min Walk Distance (6MWD) and assessed by correlation coefficients. Across the 6 cohorts, the relationship between the 2 scores was compared using the ratio between them.

    Results: The correlations between the 2 scores were mostly moderate to strong at baseline (up to r = 0.791), and weak to moderate for the changes to follow-up (up to r = 0.408). The ratios SF-36 PF to 6MWD were 1.143–1.590 at baseline and 0.930–3.310 for the changes, and depended on pain and mental health.

    Conclusion: Moderate to strong cross-sectional and moderate to weak longitudinal correlations were found between the 6MWD and the SF-36 PF. Pain and mental health should be considered when interpreting physical function. For a comprehensive assessment in clinical practice and research, the combination of self-rated and tested physical function measures is recommended.

    Open access, https://medicaljournalssweden.se/jrm/article/view/9383
     
    Andy, Dec 6, 2023
    #1
    Sean and Trish like this.
  2. rvallee

    rvallee Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    Location:
    Canada
    Fluctuating conditions aren't properly assessed using single points in time. Here they seem to assume that the patients' condition can't change. Those questionnaires just aren't any good, really.
     
    rvallee, Dec 6, 2023
    #2
    Sean, alktipping, Midnattsol and 1 other person like this.
  3. Trish

    Trish Moderator Staff Member

    Messages:
    53,662
    Location:
    UK
    My interpretation of the results is that before treatment the correlation is fairly strong between subective and objective outcomes but by the time the patient has been through the therapy/rehab program they have been persuaded that it should be making more difference to their health and functioning than is objectively the case.

    So it's confirming what we see in ME/CFS subjective outcomes - a mix of expectation, persuasion, therapist effect and patients interpreting their symptoms differently and seeing any failures to achieve expected change as their fault - the net result of which is filling in questionnaires after treatment under undue influence.
     
    Trish, Dec 6, 2023
    #3
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  4. Amw66

    Amw66 Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    6,530
    Like the asthma paper .
    You think that you have improved as your mindset has been altered , but you haven't actually on any objective measures .
     
    Amw66, Dec 6, 2023
    #4
    Dolphin, Sean, alktipping and 1 other person like this.

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