Abstract
Study designCross-sectional and longitudinal.ObjectivesTo (i) describe health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and changes over 6 years in older adults aging with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI) and (ii) investigate how changes in HRQoL are associated with age, gender, and injury characteristics.SettingCommunity in southern Sweden.MethodsFrom the initial 123 participants (years 2011–2012) in the Swedish Aging with Spinal Cord Injury Study (SASCIS), 77 individuals (32% women, C1-L3, AIS A–D, median age 66 years, median time since injury 31 years, 30% complete injuries) were assessed 6 years later. HRQoL was rated with the Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life Questionnaire (SCI QL-23). Associations were investigated using multivariable linear regression analyses.ResultsThe median rating of global QoL (scale range 0–100) was relatively high at both assessments (67 and 83, respectively). There was a large variability in all HRQoL-domains and no significant changes over 6 years. As compared to an AIS D injury, a tetraplegia AIS A–C injury and tetraplegia and paraplegia AIS A–C injuries were associated with positive change in depressive symptoms and global QoL, respectively.ConclusionsOlder adults aging with long-term SCI show large variations in all HRQoL-domains and have the potential to maintain a high and stable level of HRQoL over time. Persons with AIS D injuries may need increased attention to mitigate negative changes in depressive symptoms and global QoL. Further studies are needed to identify modifiable factors associated with changes in HRQoL in older adults aging with long-term SCI.
Highlights
An overall purpose of rehabilitation and long-term management after a spinal cord injury (SCI) is to enable individuals to reach and maintain the highest possible level of quality of life (QoL) [1] throughout their lifespan
The aims of this study are (i) to describe health-related QoL (HRQoL) and changes over 6 years in older adults aging with long-term SCI and (ii) to investigate how changes in HRQoL are associated with age, gender, and injury characteristics
Further studies investigating modifiable factors related to changes in HRQoL are needed to provide targets for interventions to support HRQoL in older adults aging with long-term SCI
Summary
An overall purpose of rehabilitation and long-term management after a spinal cord injury (SCI) is to enable individuals to reach and maintain the highest possible level of quality of life (QoL) [1] throughout their lifespan. The Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life Questionnaire (SCI QL-23) [3] is a measure of HRQoL developed for people with SCI. It considers the physical, psychological, and social burden of SCI and has been validated for Swedish conditions [4]. Conflicting results have been found how different domains of HRQoL are associated with age, gender and injury characteristics [6,7,8,9]. These associations have mostly been studied cross-sectionally and in samples including younger persons with a wide range of years since injury
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