A Multicenter Study on the Early Assessment of Functional Capacity of Patients With Brain Tumor After Surgery.

Abstract

Brain tumors pose a great therapeutic problem as they cause the impairment of basic vital functions and disability of various levels. The goal of this research was to describe and compare the functional capacity of patients in an early period after surgical treatment of brain tumor. This multicenter study includes 165 patients who underwent surgical treatment of brain tumor, hospitalized on neurosurgical wards in Poland. The research was based on the assessment of patients' functional capacity measured with the Functional Capacity Scale (FCS). The patients were examined twice: first, on the day of admission and, second, on the day of discharge. Patient FCS scores were compared with the scores obtained using the Karnofsky Performance Scale and Glasgow Outcome Scale. The mean FCS score was 43.72 points on the day of admission and 43.07 points on the day of discharge from hospital (P > .05). The FCS was correlated with age (r = 0.373, P < .001) and consciousness level (r = -0.418, P < .001). A high correlation (P < .001) was found between the scales used for the assessment of functional capacity (r = 0.68-0.84). Most patients showed independence in terms of functional capacity on the day of discharge. Significant factors influencing patient functional capacity are age and level of consciousness. The use of the FCS allows for an accurate assessment of the functional condition of a patient and correlates with the Karnofsky Performance Scale and Glasgow Outcome Scale.