Health-related quality of life in persons with long-standing spinal cord injury.

Study design:A cross-sectional study of all patients with traumatic SCI admitted to Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Norway between 1961 and 1982.Objectives:To assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in persons with long-standing traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in Norway.Setting:Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Norway.Methods:Survey data and clinical examination of 165 persons with traumatic SCI of more than 20 years duration. HRQOL was assessed with the Norwegian 36-item short-form social functioning (SF-36) Health Survey. The SF-36 results were compared with Norwegian norm data adjusted to age and gender. Differences in HRQOL between subgroups were studied.Results:The persons with SCI exhibited significantly decreased HRQOL in the subscales for Physical Functioning, Bodily Pain, General Health and Vitality compared to the normal population. There were relatively small differences in HRQOL when comparing persons with paraplegia versus tetraplegia and persons with AIS (ASIA Impairment Scale; ASIA, American Spinal Injury Association) A–C versus D–E. Employed persons reported higher HRQOL compared to unemployed persons. HRQOL of individuals reporting health problems or symptoms was worse than those of individuals reporting no health problems at all.Conclusion:HRQOL is decreased in persons with long-standing SCI and especially in persons with comorbidity conditions.Spinal Cord (2008) 46, 710–715; doi:10.1038/sc.2008.17; published online 11 March 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]