Article

Objective:To assess the effects of pain on quality
of life (QoL), functional independence and depression in patients with spinal
cord injury (SCI).Setting:An inpatient rehabilitation center.Methods: A total of
140 patients (104 M, 36 F) with SCI who underwent inpatient rehabilitation
treatment were examined.
A questionnaire including clinical variables was
applied. Motor score of Functional Independence Measure was used to assess
daily-life activities, the 36-Item Medical Outcomes Short-Form Health (SF-36) for
QoL and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for depression. Patients were then
divided into those having chronic pain (Group I) and those without any pain
(Group II), and groups were compared according to demographic and clinical
variables.Results:The most common causes of SCI were falls (35.0%) and motor
vehicle accidents (34.2%). Chronic pain was present in 78% of patients. Patients
employed before injury and patients who had complete injury had lower Numerical
Rating Scale scores (P<0.05). SCI patients with chronic pain had higher
depression ratings and their BDI scores were correlated with some of the SF-36
domains (general health, vitality, social functioning and mental health). Only
bodily pain and social functioning (P<0.05) scores were found to be lower in
Group I (P<0.05) when compared with Group II.Conclusion:As mood and QoL are
negatively affected with pain in SCI patients, we suggest that chronic pain
should always be treated in a multidisciplinary setting where pharmacological,
physical and psychological therapies are combined.

Langue : ANGLAIS