Lourenco L, Blanes L, Salomé GM, Ferreira LM, et al.
Journal of wound care. Date of publication 2014 Jun 1;volume 23(6):331-4, 336-7.
1. J Wound Care. 2014 Jun;23(6):331-4, 336-7.
Quality of life and self-esteem in patients with paraplegia and pressure ulcers:
a controlled cross-sectional study.
Lourenco L(1), Blanes L(2), Salomé GM(3), Ferreira LM(4).
Author information:
(1)RN, MS, Division of Plastic Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo
(UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
(2)RN, PhD, Joint Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, Universidade Federal de
São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
(3)RN, PhD, Adjunct Professor; Member of Research Ethics Commitee, Sapucaí Valley
University (UNIVÁS), Pouso Alegre, Brazil.
(4)MD, PhD, Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, Universidade Federal de São
Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Coordinator Medicine III, Coordination for
the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), Brazil.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and self-esteem in
patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) and pressure ulcers.
METHOD: This study was a controlled cross-sectional study. HRQoL was assessed
using the generic Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)
questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem/UNIFESP-EPM Scale. A total of 120
patients with traumatic SCI were included in the sample, of which 60 had pressure
ulcers and were assigned to the study group, and 60 had no pressure ulcers and
were assigned to the control group. Statistical analysis was performed using the
chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Student's t-test.
RESULTS: Of the 60 patients in the study group, 83.3% were men and the mean age
was 38.17 years (SD = 9.08 years). When compared with controls, patients in the
study group reported significantly lower scores (worse health status) on all
SF-36 subscales (p less than or equal to 0.0013) except for general health
(p=0.109). The RSE/UNIFESP-EMP scale total score indicated that patients with
pressure ulcers had significantly lower self-esteem than controls (p<0.001).
CONCLUSION: Pressure ulcers had an adverse impact on the HRQoL and self-esteem of
patients with SCI.
DECLARATION OF INTEREST: There were no external sources of funding for this
study. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2014.23.6.331
PMID: 24920204 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
