This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Aringer, M Articles by Stucki, G Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Aringer, M Articles by Stucki, G Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

ICF Core Sets: how to specify impairment and function in systemic lupus erythematosus

Department of Rheumatology, Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna Austria, Martin.Aringer{at}meduniwien.ac.at

T A Stamm

Department of Rheumatology, Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna Austria, ICF Research Branch of the WHO Collaborating Center for the Family of International Classifications at the German Institute of Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI), IMBK, Munich, Germany, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany

D S Pisetsky

Medical Research Service, Durham VA Hospital, Durham, NC, USA, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

C H Yarboro

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA

A Cieza

ICF Research Branch of the WHO Collaborating Center for the Family of International Classifications at the German Institute of Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI), IMBK, Munich, Germany

J S Smolen

Department of Rheumatology, Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna Austria, Department of Medicine II, Lainz Hospital, Vienna, Austria

G Stucki

ICF Research Branch of the WHO Collaborating Center for the Family of International Classifications at the German Institute of Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI), IMBK, Munich, Germany, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany

The World Health Organization’s International Classification of Function (ICF) is a tool to characterize and illuminate better the full of array of problems a patient faces when affected by disease. Specifying these problems is a particular challenge in a disease like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) because of the wide variety in organ systems involved, its variable activity and severity, and considerable ethnic and local differences. The authors of this manuscript believe, however, that a broader understanding will prove essential for optimal patient care, and that there is sufficient experience now in defining ICF Core Sets to successfully complete core sets for SLE. Therefore, we will embark on an international project for developing ICF Core Sets for SLE, which we here delineate. This development will include two versions: 1) The Brief ICF Core Set for SLE will be a very focused list of categories essential for SLE clinical trials; and 2) The Comprehensive ICF Core Set will be much broader and useful for guiding multidisciplinary assessment in patients with SLE. Both Core Sets will be developed in a formal decision-making and consensus process of health professionals integrating evidence gathered from preliminary studies. The final definition of the Core Sets will occur at a consensus conference which will integrate: i) a systematic review of the literature regarding the outcome measures used in clinical trials and selected observational studies; ii) focus groups or semi-structured interviews with SLE patients; iii) a Delphi exercise with world wide involvement of experts; and iv) the evidence from empirical studies. The development of these SLE ICF Core Sets is designed to be an inclusive, open, worldwide process. We therefore invite both SLE clinical experts and SLE patients to participate actively.

Key Words: impairment • quality of life • systemic lupus erythematosus • World Health Organization

Lupus, Vol. 15, No. 4, 248-253 (2006)
DOI: 10.1191/0961203306lu2298xx


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Bernabeu, S. Laxe, R. Lopez, G. Stucki, A. Ward, M. Barnes, N. Kostanjsek, G. Reed, R. Tate, J. Whyte, et al. Developing Core Sets for Persons With Traumatic Brain Injury Based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health Neurorehabil Neural Repair, June 1, 2009; 23(5): 464 - 467. [Abstract] [PDF]