A cross sectional study of health related quality of life of patients with spinal cord injury in different Rehabilitation stages

Abstract

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that causes temporary or newlinepermanent changes in its function associated with disability, long term rehabilitation and psychological-social adaptation to the change. It is a devastating and life-changing neurological event that impacts many facets newlineof life. Medical management of SCI is designed first to save lives and second to minimize the consequences of the trauma, thereby optimizing the conditions for long-term survival with a good quality of life. Defining QoL in SCI is not easy. The QoL concept is paramount in controversial medical, rehabilitative, social and newlinepsychological constructs dealt with in clinical research. It can include the person s physical health and level newlineof functioning in terms of physical activity but also a person s psychological well-being, happiness, the individual s current life situation and satisfaction, social participation and response to the environment. Individuals each value different aspects of life. The study is conducted to analyze of health-related QOL by WHOQOL BREF in different stages of rehabilitation of spinal cord injury patients.This a was clinical cross-sectional study by convenience sampling conducted at multiple Spine Care Hospital in Ahmedabad. A total 150 patients were taken, in which 19 dropped out and 131 newlineindividuals completed the study. A total of 93 patients were operated on, and 38 were received conservative treatment, both received standard rehabilitation protocols according to stages of rehab from acute to chronic. Outcome measures are the ASIA Scale at the time of injury and before inclusion in the study, the SCIM-III and WHOQOL BREF version were assessed at baseline and at 3 (T1), 6 (T2), 12 (T3) months after treatment newlineand WISCI II for ambulation.