Disability scale

Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36)

Main reference: Ware JJ, Sherbourne CD. The MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). I. Conceptual framework and item selection. Medical Care 30:473–83, 1992.

Type: Questionnaire.Main indications: Designed to assess physical and mental health.

Rating performed by: Trained interviewer.

Time period covered by scale: Clinical condition at the time of the assessment, with some comparison to the clinical condition 12 months ago.

Time required to complete rating: 10–15 minutes.

Remarks: Assesses eight health domains:

• Physical functioning
• Limitations in social activities caused by physical or emotional problems
• Limitations in usual-role activities because of physical health problems
• Bodily pain
• General mental health (psychological distress and well-being)
• Limitations in usual-role activities because of emotional problems
• Vitality (energy and fatigue)
• General health perceptions

Older people are less likely to provide a complete questionnaire. A shorter version (HSQ12) is available which maps on to the same health domains.

(cmg)