TITLE:
Functional Capacity Index in Elderly: Construction through the Item Response Theory
AUTHORS:
André Luiz Barbosa de Lima, Albert Espelt, Carme Viladich, Montse Bartroli, Kenio Costa-Lima
KEYWORDS:
Measurements, Methods and Theories, Item Response Theory, Aged, Psychometrics, Activities of Daily Living
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.4 No.4,
April
5,
2017
ABSTRACT:
Background: The aim of the present study was to
apply item response theory to measure the functional capacity index as an
important measure of the component of positive aspects of functionality among
elderly people, contributing
to the expansion of the use of this tool by creating shorter and more precise
scales for analysis of health situations. Methods: Cross-sectional study was
performed, and sample consisted of 41,269 elderlies aged 60 or more from the 27
federal units that participated in the National Household Sample Survey, in
2008, in Brazil. The generalized partial credit model was used for the
calibration of items. Results: The results of the analysis showed that the
functional capacity index was sufficiently unidimensional for item response
theory and, for greater reliability, the inclusion of more difficult items for
elderly Brazilians with better functional capacity would be required. Conclusions:
Finally, the present study argues that the functional capacity index can be used as a tool in the analysis
and prioritization of health situations.