Quality of life after spinal cord injury: a comparison across six countries.
- Geyh S Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland. szilvia.geyh@paranet.ch
- Ballert C
- Sinnott A
- Charlifue S
- Catz A
- D'Andrea Greve JM
- Post MW
- 2012-11-14
Published in:
- Spinal cord. - 2013
Adult
Cross-Cultural Comparison
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Global Health
Humans
Linear Models
Male
Middle Aged
Quality of Life
Retrospective Studies
Spinal Cord Injuries
English
STUDY DESIGN
An international cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the quality of life (QoL) of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) across six countries worldwide, controlling for socio-demographic and lesion-related sample characteristics and using a cross-culturally valid assessment.
METHODS
Data from 243 persons with SCI from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, South Africa and the United States were analyzed. QoL was measured using five satisfaction items from the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment. Cross-culturally valid, Rasch-transformed scores were used for comparison.
RESULTS
Analysis of variance showed a significant difference in QoL between countries (F=3.938; df=5; P=0.002). Shorter time since injury, no paid employment and living in Brazil were significant predictors of lower QoL, explaining 13% of variance in linear regression. Using multilevel regression with country as higher-order variable, time since injury and paid employment remained significant predictors and explained 18% of variance in QoL. The intraclass correlation coefficient (0.05) indicates that 5% of the variability can be accounted for by country.
CONCLUSION
This study showed QoL differences between countries that could not be explained by differences in demographic and lesion-related characteristics. Results point to the relevance of reintegration of people with SCI into the workforce. Further international comparative research using larger samples is recommended.
An international cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the quality of life (QoL) of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) across six countries worldwide, controlling for socio-demographic and lesion-related sample characteristics and using a cross-culturally valid assessment.
METHODS
Data from 243 persons with SCI from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, South Africa and the United States were analyzed. QoL was measured using five satisfaction items from the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment. Cross-culturally valid, Rasch-transformed scores were used for comparison.
RESULTS
Analysis of variance showed a significant difference in QoL between countries (F=3.938; df=5; P=0.002). Shorter time since injury, no paid employment and living in Brazil were significant predictors of lower QoL, explaining 13% of variance in linear regression. Using multilevel regression with country as higher-order variable, time since injury and paid employment remained significant predictors and explained 18% of variance in QoL. The intraclass correlation coefficient (0.05) indicates that 5% of the variability can be accounted for by country.
CONCLUSION
This study showed QoL differences between countries that could not be explained by differences in demographic and lesion-related characteristics. Results point to the relevance of reintegration of people with SCI into the workforce. Further international comparative research using larger samples is recommended.
- Language
-
- English
- Open access status
- bronze
- Identifiers
-
- DOI 10.1038/sc.2012.128
- PMID 23147129
- Persistent URL
- https://sonar.ch/global/documents/278802
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