A short-form functional capacity evaluation predicts time to recovery but not sustained return-to-work.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the ability of a short-form FCE to predict future timely and sustained return-to-work.


METHODS
A prospective cohort study was conducted using data collected during a cluster RCT. Subject performance on the items in the short-form FCE was compared to administrative recovery outcomes from a workers' compensation database. Outcomes included days to claim closure, days to time loss benefit suspension and future recurrence (defined as re-opening a closed claim, restarting benefits, or filing a new claim for injury to the same body region). Analysis included multivariable Cox and logistic regression using a risk factor modeling strategy. Potential confounders included age, sex, injury duration, and job attachment status, among others.


RESULTS
The sample included 147 compensation claimants with a variety of musculoskeletal injuries. Subjects who demonstrated job demand levels on all FCE items were more likely to have their claims closed (adjusted Hazard Ratio 5.52 (95% Confidence Interval 3.42-8.89), and benefits suspended (adjusted Hazard Ratio 5.45 (95% Confidence Interval 2.73-10.85) over the follow-up year. The proportion of variance explained by the FCE ranged from 18 to 27%. FCE performance was not significantly associated with future recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
A short-form FCE appears to provide useful information for predicting time to recovery as measured through administrative outcomes, but not injury recurrence. The short-form FCE may be an efficient option for clinicians using FCE in the management of injured workers.
Branton
Erin N
EN
Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 2-50 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G4, Canada.
Arnold
Kelly M
KM
Appelt
Sheena R
SR
Hodges
Megan M
MM
Battié
Michele C
MC
Gross
Douglas P
DP
D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012008:Recurrence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000191:economics; D013997:Time Factors; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*