Table 4

Worst and best responses to selected capability and performance items by using the identical response set^a

Capability:

(Present tense --

"Are you able to ...)

Performance:

(Past tense --

"Did you ...)

Number

Unable

to do

[Worst]

(%)

Without any difficulty

[Best]

(%)

Number

Unable

to do

[Worst]

(%)

Without any difficulty

[Best]

(%)

Get in and out of bed

75

0

84

75

0

87

Walk outdoors on flat ground

78

8

65

81

4

60

Walk a block

78

9

56

81

10

59

Use a hammer to pound a nail

81

7

72

78

8

50^b

Climb several flights of stairs

78

18

35

81

19

37

Run or jog 2 miles

81

78

5

78

71

8

Mean percentage, all items

20.0

52.8

18.7

50.2

Ratio of worst/best function response

38%

37%

^aWithout any difficulty; With a little difficulty; With some difficulty; With much difficulty; Unable to do

^bP < 0.01 difference between capability and performance item.

Bruce et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2009 11:R191   doi:10.1186/ar2890