Quality of Life in Iranian men With Spinal Cord Injury in Comparison With General Population

Abstract

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) imposes a tremendous burden on physical, mental and psychosocial aspects of life among affected individuals. Objectives: Until now, there was no statistics about the quality of life (QoL) in Iranian males with SCI. Here, we assessed the QoL among Iranian men with SCI and compared it with general population. Patients and Methods: Referred male patients with SCI to Brain and Spinal Injury Research Center (BASIR) were invited to participate in this investigation. The QoL was measured by the Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36). One sample T-test was used to compare outcomes with normal distribution. Values in general population in Iran were extracted from previous literatures. Results: Total of 153 patients with mean age of 35.10 ± 16.20 years old participated in this study. The most common reason of trauma was road accidents (49.7%). Cervical level injury was seen in 47% of patients, thoracic level in 28.1% and lumbosacral level in 24.9%. QoL was assessed in eight domains. Mean scores in domain of physical functioning was significantly higher in general population (28.2 ± 25.3 and 87.8 ± 19.0 in SCI group and general population, respectively, P < 0.0001). Similarly, scores in domain of physical and emotional role functioning were higher in general population (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.002, respectively). No significant difference was seen between males with SCI and general population in domain of mental health (70.5 ± 19.6 and 69.2 ± 17.1 in SCI group and general population, respectively; P = 0.37). Conclusions: This study shows that men with SCI have significant reduced QoL in comparison with general population. However, it seems that the scores in domain of mental health are not affected by SCI and this aspect of QoL is spared to some extents after injury.

Health-Related Quality of Life of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The SCI makes patients vulnerable to experiencing lifetime secondary clinical problems that may lead to impairments in their health, wellbeing, social, and career activities (2). People with SCI are faced with motor impairments, loss of bladder or bowel control, sexual problems, pressure ulcers, and chronic pains that negatively impact their psychosocial functioning (3,4). About 90 million people around the world suffer from SCI, with motor vehicle accidents, falls, and gunshot wounds being the leading causes worldwide (3).…”

“…Medical advances in recent years have improved the life expectancy of people with SCI (7). Despite these medical advances, the efforts in this area are not only focused on increasing the patients' life expectancy, but the main challenge is to improve the people's quality of life (QOL), as chronic disorders have well-known negative impacts on people's QOL (4,8). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a subjective measure that includes the subject's current health status, available health care services, and health improving activities (9).…”

What factors affect the quality of life of employed physically disabled people? A qualitative exploration of their experiences

“…[ 9 10 11 12 ] Some studies on the QOL of PWDs have been undertaken in Iran, and the findings reveal that a relatively substantial number of Iranians with physical impairments are unemployed. [ 13 14 ] According to Pawłowska et al .,[ 15 ] work has a substantial impact on the psychological fulfillment and overall health of PWDs aged 18 to 65 years. Their research also found that the QOL of PWDs who were jobless and not seeking employment declined as professional inactive duration increased.…”

Assessment of Daily Living of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury: A Cross-Sectional Study in Kermanshah

“…In the study of Haddadi et al, it was equal to 906 patients (3), which is a prominent amount. This disease can reduce function, cause pain, decrease quality of life, sexual dysfunction, and cause pressure ulcers (6)(7)(8). Other problems that appears with SCI include post-traumatic stress disorder, osteoporosis, orthostatic hypotension, and auto-reactive disorders (9,10).…”