Endocrine Abstracts

The international classification of functioning, disability and health, known more commonly as ICF, is a classification of health and health-related domains. These domains are classified from body, individual and societal perspectives by means of two lists: a list of body functions and structure, and a list of domains of activity and participation. Since an individual’s functioning and disability occurs in a context, the ICF also includes a list of environmental factors.

The aim of the study was application ICF to evaluate physical functioning of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Total number of domains available in the full version of the ICF is 1424. A development of brief set of domains that characterize profile of functioning of patients with DM was first stage of the study.

A basis for developing a brief set of domains that characterize the profile of functioning of the patients with diabetes, we used a set, previously developed by experts from WHO (2003), expanding and adapting it. We changed the proposed sets of domains to adapt the set of domains and to facilitate their evaluation, leaving the most significant and deleting domains that are difficult to objectification and irrelevant for peer review.

The next stage of the study was to develop criteria for assessing deviation or loss of functions and structures, activity limitations and opportunities for participation, the degree of positive or negative influence of context factors in patients with type 2 DM, from the standpoint of the ICF.

All three components are classified in the ICF (body functions and structures, activities and participation, and environmental factors) were measured using a single rating scale. Depending on the component, the existence of the problem meant a violation, limitation or restriction of opportunities obstacle. Relevant determinants were chosen to each domain of classification.

Using the developed method you can make an individual profile of the physical functioning of patient. We recommend using this method in medical examination and medical rehabilitation.