Quality of life and depression among those with spinal cord injury from the Wenchuan earthquake

Abstract

Objective To characterize 15 months later the quality of life (QOL) and depression of those with spinal cord injury (SCI) suffered during the Wenchuan earthquake,and to identify the influence factors.Methods A sample of 27 individuals who sustained SCI during the Wenchuan earthquake were surveyed using face- to-face interviews.QOL was measured using the brief version of the World Health Organization's Quality of Life Assessment instrument.Depression was measured using the patient health questionnaire depression module 9.Stepwise multiple linear regression was employed to determine the factors most closely related with QOL and depression. Results Stepwise linear regression showed a significant correlation of overall QOL with literacy and age.The younger or illiterate victims showed a lower overall QOL.General health was also associated with ability in the activities of daily living and with pain.Victims with better daily ability and less pain may have had better general health.Depression correlated with literacy and secondary condition.Illiterate patients or patients influenced more by a secondary condition displayed more serious depression than the others.Additionally,social participation was significantly associated with the physical health,psychological health and social relationships domains of QOL. Conclusion The QOL of long-term SCI victims caused by the earthquake is closely related to age,literacy,pain,participation and physical independence.Depression is associated with illiteracy and secondary conditions.Attention should be paid to these correlations in designing long-term rehabilitation strategies. Key words: Spinal cord injury; Disasters; Quality of life; Mental health; Rehabilitation