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To classify functional capacity of people with difficult-to-treat asthma based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Fifty-seven patients underwent the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT) to assess functional capacity, in order to categorize them functionally we used the ICF qualifiers. To qualify ISWT results the individual's impairment (i.e. percentage of distance walked in relation to the percentage of predicted) was analyzed. Additionally, body mass index (BMI); physical activity level (IPAQ); and pulmonary function were evaluated. In order to analyze the difference between functional capacity levels, two groups were compared (i.e. mild/moderate vs. severe impairment); therefore, the participants were matched according to age and BMI and the unpaired Student t test was used. Among the fifty-seven included individuals, only one (1.8%) presented mild functional capacity limitation, 12 (21.1%) moderate limitation and 44 (77.2%) severe limitation. There was a significant difference between the ISWT distance between groups (F = 0.217, p <.001). The other variables did not present differences between the mild/moderate and severe groups. The ICF qualifiers were able to categorize the ISWT and classified the functional capacity limitation as mild, moderate and severe. Therefore, it has proved to be a useful clinical tool for evaluation, follow-up and clinical decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]