Engagement in occupational activities and pressure ulcer development in rehabilitated South Indian persons with spinal cord injury

Abstract

Cross-sectional survey. To compare the relationship between engagement in occupational activities and pressure ulcer (PU) development in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Tertiary care university teaching hospital, Tamil Nadu, India. One hundred and eight persons with SCI who were previously rehabilitated from our center were included in the study. A questionnaire was developed to collect information about occupational activities and particulars of PU development. The comparison between work, self-care and leisure with PU development showed no significant correlation. However, completeness of the SCI was found to be associated with PU development. The study also found a relationship between the type of work patients did and the severity of the PU they developed. This study clearly indicates that poor pressure relief practices lead to PU development in persons with SCI, irrespective of their level of independence, employment status or leisure pursuits thus hampering their functional independence at home, work and in daily activities that subsequently reduces their quality of life.