Evaluating functional outcome in patients with lower extremity sarcoma

The Short Form 36, The Toronto Extremity Salvage Score, and the 1987 and 19 93 Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Rating Scales were compared as measures of functional status for patients with lower extremity sarcoma, The study inc luded 97 patients with lower extremity sarcoma and evaluated each measure o n the following measurement properties: conceptual framework; statement of the purpose; feasibility; breadth of content; depth of measurement; cross s ectional and longitudinal reliability; and validity and responsiveness. The Short Form 36 represents patients' perceptions of their physical and menta l health and is practical to use, However, the validity of the measure is q uestionable for the patients with sarcoma because the subscale structure co uld not be reproduced in the current data. The Toronto Extremity Salvage Sc ore meets all standards of measurement with the exception of breadth of con tent as it measures only physical function. The 1987 and 1993 Musculoskelet al Tumor Society scales do not meet the standards of measurement. In choosi ng an outcome measure for the extremity sarcoma population, the Toronto Ext remity Salvage Score has superior measurement properties when compared with the Short Form 36 or the 1987 and 1993 Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scale s. The Toronto Extremity Salvage Score is a reliable and efficient measure for monitoring patients and for use in clinical trials.