Use of the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument for Measuring Physical Functioning in Patients With Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We evaluated the psychometric properties of the functioning component of the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI) in individuals with heart failure (HF).

METHODS: Factor analyses were used (N = 151) to assess the dimensionality and structure of the basic and advanced lower extremity function subscales. Rasch model scores were compared to the raw means of the items.

RESULTS: Rasch scores correlated with the raw means of the items at r = .96, indicating raw means are comparable to the more complicated Rasch analysis in estimating physical functioning using the basic and advanced subscales.

CONCLUSIONS: The lower extremity physical functioning subscales of the LLFDI have potential as a clinical assessment tool to identify HF patients who are at high risk for functional limitations.