Abstract
Study designCross-sectional explorative observational study.ObjectivesTo identify factors which have an association to the self-perceived Quality of Life (QoL) for persons with acquired spinal cord injury (SCI).SettingEight specialized SCI-centers in Germany. The GerSCI survey is the German part of the International Spinal Cord Injury Survey (InSCI).MethodsSelf-disclosure questionnaire, created from the InSCI group, translated and adapted for Germany. The questionnaire collects a very broad range of data and, and due to its design as a self-report, is particularly suitable for the analysis on QoL. Because of the content, which is binding for all participating states, it allows a direct comparability of the results. Included in Germany were 1479 persons with acquired SCI aged 18 years and older.ResultsVarious factors were identified with high associations to QoL, including changeable and unchangeable ones, such as those of particular importance: pain, sleep problems, sexual dysfunction, age, and time since onset of SCI. Some results confirmed reports of previous studies, others were surprising.Conclusionthis study provides an important basis for the planned analysis of the InSCI participating countries in the 6 WHO regions. Germany was able to contribute the largest study population. The concrete study design of InSCI allows us to directly compare data and helps us to improve ourselves within the framework of a “learning health system”. Medical measures can be orientated towards the found results, in order to ensure the best possible care and support by the therapeutic team, individually adapted to the person, place of residence and impairment.
Highlights
Current knowledge about Quality of Life with spinal cord injury (SCI) The life expectancy of patients after SCI has increased significantly almost everywhere in the world due to better acute medical care, there are still large international differences [1]
Regarding this study, the item which was used for associations as the main parameter was, “How would you rate your quality of life in the last 30 days?”, which were rated on a scale with five ratings from “very poor” to “very good”
Most respondents answered the question “How would you rate your quality of life in the last 30 days?” with “good” (41%) to German Spinal Cord Injury Survey (GerSCI)-participants 80
Summary
Current knowledge about Quality of Life with SCI The life expectancy of patients after SCI has increased significantly almost everywhere in the world due to better acute medical care, there are still large international differences [1]. For this very reason, a good acute and rehabilitative care including lifelong treatment under consideration of the quality of life are becoming increasingly important. Factors that seem to have a high association are pain and spasticity [3,4,5,6], as well as bladder and bowel function [7,8,9]. Sexual dysfunction seems to have an association to QoL [6, 10, 11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
