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Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 1/2009

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Research

The AMC Linear Disability Score (ALDS): a cross-sectional study with a new generic instrument to measure disability applied to patients with peripheral arterial disease

Authors: Rosemarie Met, Jim A Reekers, Mark JW Koelemay, Dink A Legemate, Rob J de Haan

Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes | Issue 1/2009

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Abstract

Background

The AMC Linear Disability Score (ALDS) is a calibrated generic itembank to measure the level of physical disability in patients with chronic diseases. The ALDS has already been validated in different patient populations suffering from chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the clinimetric properties of the ALDS in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Methods

Patients with intermittent claudication (IC) and critical limb ischemia (CLI) presenting from January 2007 through November 2007 were included. Risk factors for atherosclerosis, ankle/brachial index and toe pressure, the Vascular Quality of Life Questionnaire (VascuQol), and the ALDS were recorded. To compare ALDS and VascuQol scores between the two patient groups, an unpaired t-test was used. Correlations were determined between VascuQol, ALDS and pressure measurements.

Results

Sixty-two patients were included (44 male, mean ± sd age was 68 ± 11 years) with IC (n = 26) and CLI (n = 36). The average ALDS was significantly higher in patients with IC (80, ± 10) compared to patients with CLI (64, ± 18). Internal reliability consistency of the ALDS expressed as Cronbach's α coefficient was excellent (α > 0.90). There was a strong convergent correlation between the ALDS and the disability related Activity domain of the VascuQol (r = 0.64).

Conclusion

The ALDS is a promising clinimetric instrument to measure disability in patients with various stages of peripheral arterial disease.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
The AMC Linear Disability Score (ALDS): a cross-sectional study with a new generic instrument to measure disability applied to patients with peripheral arterial disease
Authors
Rosemarie Met
Jim A Reekers
Mark JW Koelemay
Dink A Legemate
Rob J de Haan
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7525
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-7-88

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