The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) as a measure among elderly population. A review.

AbstractObjectivesMethodsResults\nIMPLICATION FOR REHABILITATIONTo review the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS2.0) application in elderly population.A review of English articles was performed using the following databases: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, Embase. Only articles assessing disability through WHODAS2.0 in elderly population (>60-years-old) were included according to PRISMA Statement.37 papers satisfied the inclusion criteria reporting 125.624 cases of elderly whose disability was assessed using WHODAS2.0 in different versions (36-items-version in 15 studies; 12-items-version in 15 papers; both versions in 3 articles; data unavailable in 4 studies). Four different aims were recognized: WHODAS 2.0 was used in 12 studies to assess the prevalence of disability, 25 studies of association between disability and environmental or medical conditions; 9 studies of validation of WHODAS and 2 studies to verify the outcome of therapies on functioning. <italic>Conclusions:</italic> WHODAS2.0 is a valid measure of disability among elderly, able to identify the relation between disability, and medical and environmental factors. Unfortunately, only few Countries apply the “bio-psycho-social” approach to social and health policies context. Therefore, it is recommended to adopt a rehabilitation perspective in every legislation. These results could serve as baseline data to monitor the application of WHODAS2.0 over the coming years.WHODAS 2.0 has been used in elderly population to assess the prevalence of disability and its association with medical and environmental factors in medical and rehabilitation contexts.Disability assessed by the WHODAS 2.0 is commonly associated with physical health impairment, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson disease, dementia, social conditions, frailty, muscle impairment, old age, education, communication and hearing impairment.Rehabilitation professionals will benefit from the use of WHODAS 2.0 recommended by United Nations, since it will provide a uniform evaluation of functioning and performance.WHODAS 2.0 has been used in elderly population to assess the prevalence of disability and its association with medical and environmental factors in medical and rehabilitation contexts.Disability assessed by the WHODAS 2.0 is commonly associated with physical health impairment, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson disease, dementia, social conditions, frailty, muscle impairment, old age, education, communication and hearing impairment.Rehabilitation professionals will benefit from the use of WHODAS 2.0 recommended by United Nations, since it will provide a uniform evaluation of functioning and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]