Validating care-needs level against self-reported measures of functioning, disability and sarcopenia among Japanese patients receiving home medical care: The Zaitaku Evaluative Initiatives and Outcome Study.

AIM

This study aimed to examine the validity of the care-needs levels classified in Japan's long-term care insurance system (LTCI-CNLs) when compared with patients' self-perceived functioning, disability and physical performance among patients receiving home medical care.

METHODS

This was a multicenter cross-sectional study in Japan. Patients who were receiving continuous home medical care and who could respond to the questionnaire were enrolled in this study. In addition to the LTCI-CNLs, the 12-item version of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) and the SARC-F were used to measure functioning, disability and physical performance (sarcopenia). In addition, correlations and associations of the LTCI-CNLs with the WHODAS 2.0 and SARC-F were analyzed using Spearman correlations and linear mixed models.

RESULTS

Data from 181 patients were included in the analyses. The LTCI-CNLs varied, ranging from support level 1 (5.5%) to care-needs level 5 (10.5%), with care-needs level 2 being the most prevalent (24.9%). Moderate correlations of the LTCI-CNLs with the WHODAS 2.0 and SARC-F were found (ρ = 0.58 and 0.44, respectively). Although WHODAS 2.0 and SARC-F scores varied within each LTCI-CNL, predicted WHODAS 2.0 and SARC-F scores increased as LTCI-CNL increased. Dementia was not associated with WHODAS 2.0 or SARC-F.

CONCLUSIONS

The LTCI-CNLs was associated with self-reported functioning, disability and physical performance among home medical care patients. Future studies can use the LTCI-CNLs as an outcome variable for specific care approaches or as a proxy covariate for casemix status. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 229-237.