PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Al-Jadid, Maher S.
AU  - Al-Asmari, Abdulrahman K.
AU  - Al-Moutaery, Khalaf R.
TI  - Quality of life in males with spinal cord injury in Saudi Arabia
DP  - 2004 Dec 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 1979--1985
VI  - 25
IP  - 12
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/25/12/1979.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/25/12/1979.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2004 Dec 01; 25
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the interests and post-hospitalization of quality of life (QOL) and career of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).METHODS: This study took a period that extended for 20 years (1982-2003). Fifty-seven male patients in the Riyadh, Armed Forces Hospital and Al-Kharj Hospital Program (RKH), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) with SCI responded to a questionnaire, which was distributed manually to 120 contributors. The questionnaire items include health status, occupation and educational level.RESULTS: The majority of the SCI patients belonged to the age group of 21-30 years (40.4%) and 31-40 years (33.3%). The injury levels were cervical (43.9%), thoracic (40.35%) and lumbar (23.5%). The urinary incontinence was managed by intermittent catheter (28%), indwelling catheter (17.5%), suprapubic cystostomy (15.8%), condom (12.3%) and continent (14.1%). Pressure sores were common and complication led urinary tract infections in 80.7% of patients. Spinal cord injury was a major cause and has a significant influence on patients&#039; employment and career. Rehabilitation equipments and supplies support were provided by the RKH (45.6%), Ministry of Health (19.3%), self-purchasing (12.3%) and other source (22.8%). The important factors affecting the patient&#039;s QOL were financial status, employment, equipment supply and social isolation.CONCLUSION: Spinal cord injury is practically affecting the young adult population of KSA. The patient&#039;s QOL is significantly affected and hampered by factors such as accessibility, financial status and employment. Effective measures for the management and social awareness may improve the patient&#039;s style and QOL.