The relationship between bladder management and health-related quality of life in patients with spinal cord injury in the UK.
METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


OBJECTIVE
(1) To assess the relationship between bladder management methods and the health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). (2) To identify any correlation between the two questionnaires used to assess the quality of life (one validated for SCI and one validated for bladder symptoms).


METHODS
Spinal Cord Injury Centre, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Middlesex, UK.


METHODS
This study is based on two questionnaires with results collected from 142 people with SCI. The two questionnaires were based on information from the Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) and the King's Health Questionnaire and included demographic characteristics, bladder management methods and the frequency of incontinence.


RESULTS
There is a moderate correlation between the results of the SF-36 and the King's Health Questionnaire. Only 21% SCI patients report normal voiding without any other form of bladder management. The type of bladder management may influence the HRQL in patients with SCI. Clean intermittent catheterization by attendant, indwelling transurethral catheterization and indwelling suprapubic catheterization are the three groups with the worst mental status. In addition, the frequency of incontinence is a strong influence on HRQL.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study may provide a general baseline HRQL for patients with SCI. Our findings show the relationships between bladder management methods and quality of life in patients with SCI. In addition, the impact of incontinence on quality of life was also confirmed.
Liu
C-W
CW
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Attar
K H
KH
Gall
A
A
Shah
J
J
Craggs
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult