Relationship between spinal cord injury-related knowledge and health-related quality of life in persons with spinal cord injury

Introduction:Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes dysfunction of many basic functions of a human body (e.g. sensory and motor paralysis) and may result in the occurrence of dangerous health complications (e.g. bedsores) which may contribute to a decrease in the quality of life in individuals with such injuries. In order to adjust to a new situation, persons with SCI have to acquire proper knowledge regarding pathophysiology of SCI, medical and social effects of the injury and, in particular, prevention of post-injury complications. Therefore, this study sought to assess the relationship between knowledge about health status and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in individuals with SCI.Material and methods:The study included 100 persons with SCI (22 females and 78 males) who use a wheelchair in their everyday life. The following tools were employed in the study: 1) the test of the knowledge about health status for persons with SCI and 2) the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) used to assess HRQoL.Results:Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between the knowledge about health status and a physical measure (p=0.019) as well as a mental measure (p=0.004) of HRQoL. A highly significant correlation was observed between the knowledge about health status and role limitations due to physical health problems (p=0.001), role limitations due to emotional problems (p=0.002) as well as mental health (p=0.001). Moreover, a significant correlation was noted between the knowledge about health status and general health perceptions (p=0.025) and vitality (p=0.017).Conclusions:The knowledge about health status is a significant variable that determines HRQoL in individuals with SCI. This factor manifests a significant correlation with mental and physical measures of HRQoL.