Impact of impairment and secondary health conditions on health preference among Canadians with chronic spinal cord injury

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2012 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772312Y.0000000046 · Published: September 1, 2012

Spinal Cord Injury Participation Patient Experience

Simple Explanation

Secondary health conditions following a spinal cord injury (SCI) can greatly diminish a person's overall health, their ability to live independently, and their general well-being. This study examines how these secondary conditions impact 'health preference,' a measure of a person's well-being on a scale from 0 (death) to 1 (perfect health). Understanding this impact can aid in allocating healthcare resources. The study found that individuals with SCI often have lower health preference scores than the general population, and that specific secondary health conditions, like pain and bladder issues, significantly reduce these scores.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

357 community-dwelling adults with chronic traumatic and non-traumatic SCI

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional telephone survey

Key Findings

1
The mean HUI-Mark III score for the SCI sample was 0.27, significantly lower than that of the general population.
2
Individuals with more severe secondary health conditions reported significantly lower health preference scores.
3
Spasms, joint/muscle pain, and chronic pain were the most commonly reported secondary health conditions.

Research Summary

This study investigated the impact of secondary health conditions on health preference among Canadians with chronic SCI. The research found a strong negative association between high-impact secondary health conditions and health preference, as measured by the HUI-Mark III. The findings suggest that the HUI-Mark III could be a valuable tool for calculating quality-adjusted life years and advocating for resources to manage secondary health conditions in SCI patients.

Practical Implications

Resource Allocation

The study provides data for informed resource allocation in healthcare for individuals with SCI, focusing on the management of secondary health conditions.

Economic Evaluations

The health preference scores can be used in future economic evaluations, such as cost-utility analyses, to assess the value of interventions for SCI-related secondary conditions.

Quality of Life Studies

The findings contribute to a better understanding of the impact of secondary health conditions on the quality of life for individuals with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
Cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
2
Reliance on self-reported data may introduce bias.
3
The psychometric properties of the HUI-Mark III for the SCI population have not previously been established.

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