The Prognostic Validity of the Functional Capacity Evaluation ELA in Work-Related Medical Rehabilitation

Objective The aim of the study was to determine the ability of FCE (Functional Capacity Evaluation) to predict sustained return-to-work (RTW). Methods A multicentric prospective cohort study was conducted in cooperation with 4 outpatient rehabilitation clinics. The sample consisted of 198 patients. Sustained RTW was defined as a combination of employment at 3-month follow-up with a low level of sick leave (dependent variable 1) resp. with a moderate or better rating of the current work ability with respect to the physical demands at work (dependent variable 2). Based on questionnaires and FCE information, logistic regression models were calculated to predict sustained RTW. Results The FCE-information at discharge predicted sustained RTW after adjusting for assessors (Odds Ratio - OR = 17.2 [95 % CI: 6.2-57.8] resp. OR 12.8 [95 % CI: 5.1-32.1]) as well as after adjusting for additional RTW predictors (OR 14.6 [95 % CI: 4.8-44.9] resp. OR 10.1 [95 % CI: 3.5-29.4]). Concerning dependent variable 1 and the FCE-information at admission there was a gain of information towards a model based on patient self-reports (OR 2.6 [95 % CI: 1.1-6.0]). Conclusions The study supports the predictive validity of crude and adjusted FCE-information. The gain of information towards patient self-reports is unclear.