Body functions and structure, activity, and participation limitations of adult cystic fibrosis patients under the international classification of functioning, disability, and health framework.

Objective: There is no study in the literature evaluating impairments and functional limitations in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) under the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). To evaluate the adults with CF using ICF model. Methods: Twenty-three adults with CF and 23 age-sex matched healthy individuals included in this cross-sectional study. The participants evaluated according to the selected items for domain b, domain s, and domain d from the Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (OPD) Comprehensive Core Set. The body composition, pulmonary functions, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength/endurance tests and anxiety/depression level were evaluated for domain b and s. For domain d, the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey were used. Results: The fat-free mass (p = .044), pulmonary functions (p < .05), respiratory muscle endurance (p = .010), absolute and %quadriceps muscle strength (p = .001, p = .025, respectively), number of sit-ups (p = .020), walking speed (p = .035), ISWT and ISWT% distance (p < .001) and peak oxygen consumption (p < .001) were significantly lower in adults with CF compared to healthy individuals (p < .05). There were only significant differences in SF-36 physical functioning and role physical subdimension scores between groups (p = .009, p = .045 respectively). Conclusions: The ICF framework is applicable to comprehensively evaluate limitations of adults with CF among rehabilitation professionals. Especially age, respiratory function, respiratory muscle strength and endurance, dyspnea perception, peripheral muscle endurance were related to activity and participation limitation.