title: The Lower Limb Amputee Measurement Scale: reliability and predictive validity.
abstract: This study assesses the reliability and predictive validity of the Lower Limb Extremity Amputee Measurement Scale (LLAMS), which is an assessment tool designed to predict the length of stay (LOS) of patients with lower limb amputations in a rehabilitation program. In order to evaluate inter-rater reliability a prospective evaluation was completed by five independent evaluators (n = 10). Predictive validity was evaluated retrospectively by comparing the LLAMS predicted LOS to actual LOS (n = 147). The ability of the amputee team members to administer the LLAMS to patients was very high (ICC [2,1] = 0.98, CI 95% = 0.96 - 0.99, F[9, 36] = 78.71, p < 0.05). In addition, a moderate positive correlation was found between the LLAMS predicted LOS and the actual LOS (Pearson Correlation Coefficient, r = 0.465, p < 0.01), and the LLAMS was able to identify those patients who required short versus long rehabilitation stays. The incorporation of the LLAMS into the physiatrist's initial assessment of patients in the amputee clinic has enhanced the ability to manage better the LOS and the time patients wait to enter the rehabilitation program.
authors.affiliation: Amputee Rehabilitation Program, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Cheifetz@hhsc.ca
authors.forename: Oren
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cheifetz
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bayley
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grad
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Cass
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Minor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000674:Amputees / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results