Comparison of a self-report and performance-based test of disability in people with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine functional ability in people with SLE by comparing a self-report and a performance-based test.

Method. Fifteen women with SLE and 15 healthy controls participated in this study. Participants completed a self report of daily living skills, the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Actual performance during activities of daily living was evaluated with the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS). Measures of cognition and disease activity were also collected.

Results. HAQ scores of the participants with SLE indicated only very mild disability while scores on the AMPS indicated ineffective skill performance and potential safety risks. In the participants with SLE, cognitive status correlated significantly with the processing component (r_s = 0.62, p < 0.05) and disease severity correlated with the motor component of the AMPS (r_s = 0.84, p < 0.001). The HAQ did not correlate with the AMPS.

Conclusions. This study suggests that cognitive deficits were more related to scores on the performance-based test of functional ability rather than the self-report. The performance-based test appeared to provide information that was not gained through self-report and measures of disease activity and gross cognition.

Keywords:

• Assessment of motor and process skills
• disability
• cognition