Objective: To test the usefulness of the Mobility Control subscale (MC scale) of the short version of the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP68) as a simple self-administered questionnaire for screening mobility disorders in a population of independent living elderly.
Design: The SIP68-MC scale was compared with the results of one functional test as independent criteria.
Subjects and setting: A group of 81 people of 70 years and older was selected from a potential population of over 200 people. All were independent living elderly persons selected from a general practice.
Interventions: The short version of the Sickness Impact Profile and questions about falling last year were applied. Three functional tests were carried out: walking 10 metres, get up and sit down in a chair five times and a test for standing balance. A trained observer rated all tests.
Results: It is shown that the sensitivity of the MC scale (cut-off point: 1) with the total functional score is 91%, with a relative low specificity (59%). The relationship between the SIP-MC score and falling frequency is significant when there is a falling frequency equal to or more than two times a year. Conclusion: It is concluded that the MC scale is a useful test for screening mobility disorders in the elderly.
