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The Cervical Myelopathy Disability Index (MDI) in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Description

The Cervical Myelopathy Disability Index (MDI) is a functional scoring system for evaluating disability caused by cervical myelopathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It is an accurate predictor of outcome following surgery as well as for survival. The authors are from the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London.


 

The patient is asked about various functions (10 items):

(1) Rising: 2 items

(2) Eating: 2 items

(3) Walking: 2 items

(4) Hygiene: 2 items

(5) Grip: 1 item

(6) Activities: 1 item

 

Ability to Perform Activity

Points

without any difficulty

0

with some difficulty

1

with much difficulty

2

unable to do at all

3

 

myelopathy disability index =

= SUM(points for all 10 activities)

 

Interpretation:

• minimum index: 0

• maximum index: 30

• The higher the index, the greater the disability.

• The index is reported in percent of maximal (30 points = 100%)

 

In Figure 3, page 904, survival at 8 years is

• 88% if MDI is < 33%

• 74% if the MDI is 33-67%

• 56% if the MDI is > 67%

 


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