Assessment of physical function by subjective and objective methods in patients undergoing open gynecologic surgery

•Postoperatively, compliance with the MDASI-I was better than with the objective measure Time Up & Go test (TUGT).•Walking item of MDASI-Interference significantly differentiated the severity of prolonged TUGT in a clinically relevant way.•MDASI-I scores showed an excellent known-group validity.•MDASI-I module is a valid and reliable tool to assess the physical functioning status after GYN surgery.