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Rapid Disability Rating Scale

Purpose: To use the Rapid Disability Rating Scale to rapidly assess the degree of disability for a patient, especially in the geriatric population.

Description

The Rapid Disability Rating Scale can be used to assess the level of patient disability, especially in the elderly. It is useful for monitoring over time, to see if the patient is improving, stable or worsening. 


Rating Completion

(1) The scale is completed by a caregiver familiar with the patient.

(2) Based on the response, points ranging from 1 to 3 are assigned, indicating no or slight , moderate and severe impairment

 

Directions: On the basis of your knowledge about the patient, at the present time, will you please rate the following items.

 

Activity

Ability

Points

eating

no assistance

1

 

moderate assistance

2

 

considerable assistance

3

diet

regular diet

1

 

modified regular diet

2

 

special diet

3

medications

rarely

1

 

occasionally

2

 

every day

3

speech

not impaired

1

 

moderately impaired

2

 

unable to be understood

3

hearing

normal

1

 

moderately impaired

2

 

deaf

3

sight

normal (with glasses, if worn)

1

 

moderately impaired

2

 

blind

3

walking

no assistance

1

 

needs someone's help, or uses a crutch or walker

2

 

unable to walk

3

bathing

no assistance

1

 

moderate assistance

2

 

considerable assistance

3

dressing

no assistance

1

 

moderate assistance

2

 

considerable assistance

3

incontinence

never

1

 

occasionally

2

 

all of the time

3

shaving

no assistance

1

 

moderate assistance

2

 

considerable assistance

3

safety supervision

never

1

 

sometimes

2

 

all of the time

3

confined to bed

not at all

1

 

part of the day

2

 

all the time

3

mentally confused

never

1

 

occasionally

2

 

all of the time

3

uncooperative

never

1

 

occasionally

2

 

all of the time

3

depression

never

1

 

occasionally

2

 

all of the time

3

 

 

rapid disability rating scale score =

= SUM(points for all 16 parameters)

 

Interpretation:

• minimum score 16, indicating no significant disability

• maximum score 48, indicating total disability

 

Limitations:

• The scale was developed as a research tool and its use as a clinical instrument was not specifically explored.

• While following the total score can provide a rapid assessment of the patient over time, it is also useful to compare the time course for specific items of the scale. If one condition improves while another deteriorates, then the total score may not change, which may be misleading if a given therapy is being evaluated.  


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Specialty

Objective

ICD-10