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Excretory dysfunction and quality of life after a spinal cord injury: A cross‐sectional study
Author(s) -
Gong De,
Wang Yingmin,
Zhong Lirong,
Jia Mengmeng,
Liu Ting,
Li Kun
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of clinical nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1365-2702
pISSN - 0962-1067
DOI - 10.1111/jocn.15689
Subject(s) - spinal cord injury , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , cross sectional study , spinal cord , complication , physical therapy , surgery , pathology , psychiatry , nursing
Aims and Objectives To determine the aspects of excretory dysfunction most influential in determining the quality of life of survivors of spinal cord injury. Background Excretory dysfunction is one of the most common and troublesome sequelae of spinal cord injury. Previous studies have shown that it can restrict social participation restriction, cause readmission and generally influence quality of life substantially. Design A cross‐sectional survey of hospital inpatients following STOBE guidelines. Methods A convenience sample of 101 patients with traumatic or non‐traumatic spinal cord injury were asked about their experiences of excretory dysfunction, and management and their self‐perceived quality of life. Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression were performed to isolate the most important relationships. Results Only 2 of the 101 subjects professed to be unaffected by excretion dysfunction. Bladder‐related dysfunction was the most frequently mentioned type of problem. Quality of life impairment was found to be most often associated with bladder accidents, bowel accidents and having more than one bladder complications. Conclusions Excretory dysfunction substantially impacts quality of life after a spinal cord injury. Bladder accidents, bowel accidents and more than one bladder complication are factors independently influencing the quality of life of spinal cord injury survivors. Relevance to Clinical Practice To improve excretion‐related QOL, patients’ bladder and bowel self‐management training should be strengthened seeking to prevent complications and reduce the risk of bladder and bowel accidents.