Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of the study was to evaluate validity of the Italian Mini-ICF-APP (Mini-ICF Rating for Limitations of Activities and Participation in Psychological Disorders) in schizophrenia and related disorders.Methods74 outpatients affected by schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders attending a University-based community mental health centre were recruited to the study. All participants underwent comprehensive evaluation using standardized instruments to assess clinical, neurocognitive and functional status. Concurrent validity of Mini-ICF-APP was evaluated and compared to severity scores obtained using the Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia scale (CGI-SCH), Positive and Negative Syndrome scale (PANSS), Mini Mental State Examination test (MMSE), Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia scale (BACS) and Personal and Social Performance scale (PSP). Construct validity was evaluated by comparing scores obtained at Mini-ICF-APP by remitted versus non-remitted patients, and by recovered versus unrecovered patients. Discriminant validity was evaluated comparing scores on Mini-ICF-APP and Subjective Well-being (SWN) scale. Results: the total score and 12 out of the 13 Mini-ICF-APP items correlated significantly with total score at PSP; Mini-ICF-App total score was moreover significantly correlated with total scores at CGI-SCH, PANSS, MMSE, as well as with several BACS items. Total scores obtained at Mini-ICF-APP were significantly higher among remitted and recovered patients. No relevant correlations were found between scores of Mini-ICF-APP and SWN scales.ResultsThe total score and 12 out of the 13 Mini-ICF-APP items correlated significantly with total score at PSP; Mini-ICF-App total score was moreover significantly correlated with total scores at CGI-SCH, PANSS, MMSE, as well as with several BACS items. Total scores obtained at Mini-ICF-APP were significantly higher among remitted and recovered patients. No relevant correlations were found between scores of Mini-ICF-APP and SWN scales.Conclusionthe Italian version of Mini-ICF-APP is a valid instrument for use in evaluating functioning in chronic patients with schizophrenia and related disorders.
Highlights
The aim of the study was to evaluate validity of the Italian Mini-ICF-APP (Mini-ICF Rating for Limitations of Activities and Participation in Psychological Disorders) in schizophrenia and related disorders
Occupation N (%) Employed Unemployed. Sample This cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of the first 74 outpatients affected by schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders according to DSM-IV-TR, who attended a University-based community mental health centre (CMHC) and had previously concluded a two-year follow up period in the above cited observational study [14]
Mini-ICF-APP total score significantly correlated with scores at CGISCHs cognitive and depressive subscales and with the overall scale; a correlation was observed with Positive and Negative Syndrome scale (PANSS) total score and negative and general psychopathology scales (Table 6)
Summary
The aim of the study was to evaluate validity of the Italian Mini-ICF-APP (Mini-ICF Rating for Limitations of Activities and Participation in Psychological Disorders) in schizophrenia and related disorders. Pinna et al Int J Ment Health Syst (2015) 9:37 scale for use as a reference tool; on the international scenario [5] a series of reliable and valid instruments such as GAF [6], SOFAS [7], PSP [8], and WHO-DAS2 [9] are available In this context, the Mini-ICF-APP, designed in line with parameters of the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) for use in mental health settings, was first developed and validated in Germany [10, 11] and recently translated and validated in English [12] and Italian [13]. The present study was designed with the aim of validating the instrument for use in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders, in the context of an ongoing observational, prospective study on remission and recovery in chronic psychotic patients [14]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
