The ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) developed by the WHO for measuring function in hemophilia

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Assessment of the disease in people with hemophilia (PWH) must include an analysis of functioning. Researchers have done a lot of work over the last two decades in developing disease specific assessment tools in hemophilia – some of them based on the ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health).

Areas covered: This article is a narrative review of the ICF developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the context of hemophilia.

Expert commentary: The WFH has developed a website with a ‘compendium of assessment tools’ based on the ICF. The ICF developed by the WHO makes it possible to propose an approach that prioritizes capacities over difficulties. This article is intended to motivate physicians who treat PWH to incorporate the ICF into their assessments. A generalized use of the ICF will provide a common communication context. The ICF developed by the WHO should be used in hemophilia.

KEYWORDS:

• Hemophilia
• functioning
• measurement
• WHO
• ICF

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.