A QUESTIONNAIRE TO EVALUATE DISABILITY IN OSTEOPOROTIC PATIENTS WITH VERTEBRAL COMPRESSION FRACTURES

Background. Few studies have reported on the functional disability due to vertebral compression factors in osteoporosis. The Osteoporosis Fu nctional Disability Questionnaire (OFDQ) was developed to assess disab ility in patients with osteoporosis and back pain due to vertebral fra ctures. The domains of the OFDQ include: quantitative indices of pain, a standard 2D-item depression scale, 26 items relating to functional abilities, a scale of social activities, and confidence in the ability of prescribed osteoporosis treatment to reverse disability. Methods. Reliability of the OFDQ was assessed using test-retest and internal co nsistency methods. Criterion validity was demonstrated by correlating disability against radiographic evidence of vertebral fractures. Const ruct validity was demonstrated through comparisons of 81 patients with osteoporosis and fractures to 37 healthy age-matched controls. Additi onal evidence was found in comparing 45 of the 81 cases who were activ ely engaged in an exercise program with 36 cases who were sedentary. R esults. The test-retest reliabilities ranged from .76 to .93, with int ernal consistencies from .57 to .96. The OFDQ correlated significantly with relevant spinal pathology, and showed significant improvements i n activities of daily living and socialization when active exercisers were compared to inactive patients with osteoporosis. Conclusions. The OFDQ is a reliable instrument which correlates well with objective me asures of osteoporotic spinal damage. It is also sensitive to changes in disability brought about by participation in our aerobic exercise p rogram. The OFDQ may be a useful adjunct to measuring outcomes in othe r osteoporotic treatment protocols.