title: Reliability and validity of the Buruli ulcer functional limitation score questionnaire.
abstract: The reliability and validity of the earlier developed Buruli ulcer functional limitation score (BUFLS) questionnaire was assessed. Of 638 former Buruli ulcer patients (of 678 individuals examined), sufficient items on daily activities (>or= 13 of the 19) were applicable to calculate a score. To determine the validity, the functional limitation scores of the 638 individuals were compared with the global impression of the limitations, range of motion (ROM), and the social impact (change of occupation or education) of Buruli ulcer. To determine inter-observer reliability, the functional limitation score was reassessed in 107 participants within one and three weeks after the first interview by another interviewer and interpreter. Both global impression and ROM correlated well with the functional limitation scores (rho = 0.66 and rho = 0.61). The inter-observer reliability of 107 participants as measured by an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.86 was very good. The functional limitation scores measured in the second assessment were significantly higher than in the first assessment. This should be taken into account when the functional limitation score is used for the individual patient. The BUFLS can be used as for between group comparisons of endpoints in clinical trials and in the planning of resources.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Groningen University Hospital,Groningen, The Netherlands. y.stienstra@int.azg.nl <y.stienstra@int.azg.nl>
authors.forename: Ymkje
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Stienstra
authors.forename: Pieter U
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Dijkstra
authors.forename: Marieke J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Van Wezel
authors.forename: Margijske H G
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Van Roest
authors.forename: Michiel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beets
authors.forename: Ijsbrand
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zijlstra
authors.forename: R Christian
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Edwin O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Ampadu
authors.forename: Jules
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gbovi
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zinsou
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Etuaful
authors.forename: Erasmus Y
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Klutse
authors.forename: Winette T A
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Van der Graaf
authors.forename: Tjip S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Van der Werf
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019911:Mycobacterium ulcerans / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015588:Observer Variation; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires