Quality of life and perceived health status among people with spinal cord injury

Abstract

Background: Quality of life and perceived health status are common indicators of outcome measurement among occupational therapist. However, the complexity of these two concepts and their relationships resulted in misunderstanding to use for outcome measurement among health professions. Therefore, identifying of the concept and choosing an appropriate tool for evaluation are necessary. Objective: The purposes of this study were to examine the levels and correlations between quality of life and perceived health status among thirty people with spinal cord injury living in their communities. Material and methods: Two self-administrative questionnaires: WHOQOL-BREF: Thai version, and SF-36 V2: Thai version, had been used to measure quality of life and perceived health status among 30 participants. Result: Scores of WHOQOL-Brief: Thai version can be classified as average (85.03±9.86) compared to Thais’ norms and other studies among people with spinal cord injury in Thailand. The SF-36 V2: Thai version score was lower than Thais’ norms in physical component summary score (PCS) while the score of mental component summary score (MCS) was in the same level compared to Thais’ norms. The result also showed the statistical significance of correlation between SF-36 and WHOQOL-BREF, except general health (GF) of SF-36 subcomponent. Conclusion: The result showed a foundation and hierarchal order of perceived heath status that were effect on a level of quality of life among people with spinal cord injury. The coping strategies with physical problems and participation also affected quality of life among participants although their physical conditions had been limited by disability status. Bull Chiang Mai Assoc Med Sci 2016; 49(2): 185-196. Doi: 10.14456/jams.2016.26

Keywords

• WHOQOL-BREF
• Thai version
• SF-36 V2
• spinal cord injury