Identification of Concepts of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in Measures of Quality of Life for Cervical Cancer

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical cancer is highly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries and has a negative impact on women’s functioning. The interest in the measurement of therapeutic measures that are not restricted to the biomedical model has been assuming prominence in the field of Oncology. The International  Classification of Functioning (ICF) appears on the world stage as a guiding tool for the construction of the biopsychosocial evaluation. Objective: To exemplify methodology for identifying the components of functioning in documents used in oncology care in cervical cancer. Method: Three-step study - Analysis of systematic reviews to identify the specific instruments for cervical cancer; extraction of evaluation measures; and linking the concepts contained in the outcome measures with the corresponding categories of ICF by two independent reviewers. Results: In the analysis of the Functional Assessment of  Cancer Therapy-Cervix and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire Cervical Cancer Module, we identified 72 main contents, related to 35 categories of ICF. Of these, 23 referred to bodily functions, eight to activities and participation, tree to environmental factors and an to a body structure. Conclusion: The two instruments have a link with the ICF; however, they exploit insufficiently the contextual factors, which demonstrates the need for biopsychosocial guidance in health assessments for women with cervical cancer, to contemplate the components of functioning in the measurement of therapeutic outcomes equitably.