Prevalence of pressure ulcers in Thai wheelchair users with chronic spinal cord injuries.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study.


OBJECTIVE
To study prevalence of pressure ulcers (PrUs), quality of life (QoL) and effect of wheelchair cushions used by Thai wheelchair users with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).


METHODS
Maharaj Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand.


METHODS
Thai chronic SCI wheelchair users, aged over 18 years and non-ambulatory with ASIA impairment scale A, B or C were recruited. They completed the PrUs questionnaire and rated the EuroQoL-5D and their health status with a visual analog scale (VAS). Demographic data of each participant were extracted from medical records. The EQ-5D health states were transformed to utility scores by using the Thai algorithm and the prevalence of PrUs was reported. The EQ-5D, the utility scores and the health status VAS were compared between those with and without current PrUs and between those participants using foam and air-filled cushions.


RESULTS
Of 129 participants, 26.4% had current PrUs at the time of the study, 27.9% had healed PrUs and 45.7% never had PrUs. The median VAS score for health status was 70 (Q1=50, Q3=80). Based on the EQ-5D, only one dimension (anxiety/depression) was significantly different between those with and those without current PrUs (P=0.015). Those using an air-filled cushions had a mean utility score four times higher than of those using a foam cushion (0.131 vs. 0.032, P=0.089) but not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
PrUs are still prevalent among Thai wheelchair users with chronic SCI. Anxiety/depression is associated with current ulcers.
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
A
A
Kovindha
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
P
P
Kammuang-Lue
International Health Policy Program, Nonthaburi, Thailand.
P
P
Prakongsai
International Health Policy Program, Nonthaburi, Thailand.
T
T
Wongphan
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology