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. 2016 Dec;20(4):316-320.
doi: 10.5213/inj.1630540.270. Epub 2016 Dec 26.

Factors Affecting Quality of Life Among Spinal Cord Injury Patients in Korea

Jong Soo Lee  1 , Sang Woon Kim  1 , Sang Hyun Jee  1 , Joon Chul Kim  2 , Jong Bo Choi  3 , Sung Yong Cho  4 , Jang Hwan Kim  1 ; Korea Spinal Cord Injury Association
Affiliations

Factors Affecting Quality of Life Among Spinal Cord Injury Patients in Korea

Jong Soo Lee et al. Int Neurourol J. 2016 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: Complaints from spinal cord injury (SCI) patients are typically related to physical disability affecting activities of daily life. However, difficulties with voiding and defecation and/or sexual function can also be major concerns. The general population and even physicians are generally unaware of these complaints; therefore, this study focuses on surveying SCI patients regarding challenges that are faced in daily life.

Methods: A questionnaire was administered randomly and anonymously to SCI patients who visited the Korea Spinal Cord Injury Association and several rehabilitation hospitals in the Republic of Korea in 2013. All participants gave their consent prior to filling out the questionnaire.

Results: A total of 299 patients answered the questionnaire; the male to female ratio was 5.8:1 and common vectors for injury were motor vehicle accidents, industrial accidents, and falling down. Of the 169 patients who answered the 'most troublesome' and 'wish would improve' complaints questionnaire properly, urinary problems were most common, specifically incontinence and urinary tract infection. Among all patients, 67% were using clean intermittent catheterization, 63% were taking voiding-related medications, 83% had sexual desires, and among the 122 patients who did not have offspring, 27% had future plans for children.

Conclusions: From this questionnaire, we discovered that SCI patients in the South Korea suffer not only from physical disability but also many other quality-of-life-related problems. When managing SCI patients, physicians should show greater concern and educate patients about problems related to voiding and sexual activity, rather than just physical disability.

Keywords: Quality of Life; Sexual Behavior; Spinal Cord Injuries; Surveys and Questionnaires; Urination Disorders.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

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