Measuring function in older adults with co-morbid illnesses who are undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery

Measuring function in individuals post CABG surgery is difficult because of the diversity of functional abilities/disabilities. This study compared the human activity profile (HAP) to the medical outcome study short form (SF-36v2™), in individuals with functional co-morbidities undergoing CABG surgery. The sample consisted of 84 men and 17 women, with a mean age of 63 years. The majority (n=83, 82%) had three to six co-morbid illnesses. There were significant negative correlations between the functional co-morbidity index (FCI) scores and the HAP, maximum activity score (MAS) (r=-0.32, p=0.002), adjusted activity score (AAS) (r=-0.29, p=0.004), indicating that function was lower in individuals with higher co-morbidities. There was a non-significant negative correlation between FCI scores and physical component summary (PCS) scores of the SF-36v2™ (r=-0.19, p=0.07). Results of this study are consistent with those of others who reported a growing incidence of older individuals with co-morbid factors undergoing CABG surgery. Generic instruments that have traditionally been used to measure function may not be sensitive enough to differences in function in individuals with co-morbidities. Results of this study imply that the HAP is more sensitive than the PCS to these differences, but further research evaluating the HAP in populations with co-morbid burden is necessary.