Validating the Functional Capacity Index as a measure of outcome following blunt multiple trauma

Background : The validity of the Functional Capacity Index ( FCI) is evaluated by examining its distributional characteristics, its correlation with other well- known measures of outcome and its ability to discriminate among persons with injuries of varying type and severity. Method : A telephone survey which included the FCI and the SF- 36 was administered 1 year post- injury to 1240 blunt trauma patients discharged from 12 trauma centers. A subsample of 656 patients also completed the Sickness Impact Pro le ( SIP) by mail. Result : FCI scores correlated well with the physical health subscores of the SIP and SF- 36. They also correlated well with self- reported change in health status and return to work. The FCI, when compared to either the SF- 36 or the SIP however, appears to discriminate better among patients according to the presence and severity of head trauma. Conclusion : While further testing of the FCI is needed, it holds promise as a preference based measure for assessing the physical impact of trauma.