International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Set for patients with acute arthritis

Objective: The aim of this consensus process was to construct a preliminary version of the ICF Core Set for acute inflammatory arthritis. Methods: The development of the ICF Core Set involved a formal decision-making and consensus process, integrating evidence gathered from preliminary studies including focus groups of health professionals, a systematic review of the literature, and empiric data collection from patients. Results: Thirty-three experts selected a total of 79 second-level categories for the Comprehensive Core Set and 40 second-level categories for the Brief Core Set. The largest number of categories was selected from the ICF component Activities and Participation (28 categories or 35%). Eighteen (23%) of the categories were selected from the component Body Functions, 13(16%) from the component Body Structures, and 20 (25%) from the component Environmental Factors. Conclusion: The ICF Core Set for acute arthritis is a clinical framework designed to comprehensively assess patients in acute care hospitals and early post-acute rehabilitation facilities. This preliminary version of the ICF Core Set will be further tested through empiric studies in German-speaking countries and internationally.