Factors associated with quality of life among spinal cord injury survivors: A cross-sectional survey

Banita; Meenakshi; Priyanka Kumari; Shalini; Manju Dhandapani; Ashok Kumar; Vishal Kumar; Renu Kumari; Sivashanmugam Dhandapani

doi:10.5455/nmj.00000205

Abstract
Background: Improving the quality of patients with spinal cord injury is an imperative goal of treatment. The studys objectives were to assess the Quality of Life (QOL) and identify the factors of QOL among the patients with spinal cord injury.
Methods: Using the total enumeration method, 121 patients of SCI were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Ethical clearance was taken from Ethics Committee, and consent was taken from patients. World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF scale (WHOQOL-BREF) was used to assess QOL.
Results: The average age of the patients was 47.99±14.70 years. More than half the patients were males. Almost half of the patients (48.0%) reported poor QOL. The psychological and physical domains of QOL were most affected with a mean QOL score of 34.41±11.79 and 38.90±8.55, respectively, out of 100. Significantly poor QOL was reported by patients with higher education (p=0.006), high per capita income (p=0.01), patients who were widow/widower (p=0.03), patient with tetraplegia (p=0.01), depressive symptoms (p<0.03), and patients who were dependent (p<0.03).
Conclusion: This study provides evidence that the patient with SCI had poor QOL, where psychological and physical domains were most affected. To boost the holistic well-being of these patients, healthcare providers should incorporate appropriate and individualized rehabilitative services and mind-body interventions. The caregivers should also be involved in the care, both psychological and physical care, as they were with the patient round the clock at home.

Key words: quality of life, spinal cord injury, World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF scale, activity of daily living scale, instrumental activity of daily living, nursing assessment

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