Table 3 SF-36^® scale measures

Physical Component Summary (PCS)

Summary measure which included: PF, RP, BP, VT, SF, RE, MH, and GH.

    Physical Functioning (PF)

Ten questions ask respondents to indicate the extent to which their health limits them in performing physical activities.

    Role-Physical (RP)

Four questions assess whether respondents' physical health limits them in the kind of work or usual activities they perform.

    Bodily Pain (BP)

Two questions determine frequency of pain and extent to which pain interferes with normal activities.

    General Health (GH)

Five questions ask respondents to rate their current health status overall, their susceptibility to illness, and their expectations for health in the future.

Mental Component Summary (MCS)

Summary measure which included: VT, MH, RE, PF, RP, BP, GH, and SF.

    Vitality (VT)

Four questions ask respondents to rate their well being by indicating how frequently they experience energy and fatigue.

    Mental Health (MH)

Five questions ask respondents how frequently they experience feelings representing the 4 major mental health dimensions.

    Role-Emotional (RE)

Three questions assess whether emotional problems have caused respondents to accomplish less in their work or other usual activities in terms of time and performance.

    Social Functioning (SF)

Two questions ask respondents to indicate limitations in social functioning due to health.