Quality of life in patients with tetraplegia and paraplegia after traumatic spinal cord injury

Purpose: The study compares the quality of life (QOL) in tetra- and paraplegic patients over the first 3 years after injury. An addi- tional goal is to determine whether there is correlation between selected factors based on medical records, the WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life – short version of the questionnaire), and the SIP68 (Sickness Impact Profile – short version of the questionnaire) scales and these groups of patients. Methods: A total of 72 patients with locomotor disability, following spinal cord injury (SCI), were involved in the study. Patients completed the WHOQOL-BREF and SIP68 scales. The comparative analysis between the paraplegic ( n = 33) and tetraplegic ( n = 39) group, and correlations between selected factors based on medical records and the above-mentioned scales was made. Results: There were statistically significant differences in the assessment of SIP68 subscales: the somatic autonomy score was higher in paraplegic patients and the social behavior and mobility range scores were higher in patients with tetraplegia. Correlations between total WHOQOL-BREF score and ability to concentrate, refraining from any recreational activity, lack of gait and no professional ac- tivity were noticed in tetraplegia patients. Statistical significance was observed in correlations between total WHOQOL-BREF score and inability to bathe and get dressed without assistance, doing the washing, shopping and reduced socializing in paraplegia patients. Conclusions: The presented differences in the assessment of QOL between both patient groups revealed the specific social, psycho- logical and physical needs of patients. This is necessary for the development of effective treatment, depending on the level of injury, which may enable a faster return to optimal QOL for SCI patients.