Background: As the population with a disability increases both in number and life expectancy, so does its demand for health services. Very little original research has been done in Mexican populations regarding the effect of disability on quality of life.
Objectives: 1) Assessing the subjective quality of life of patients with neuromusculoskeletal and movement-related function disabilities and, 2) Analyzing the possible effect of the medical condition (diseases of the nervous system vs. diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue) and its interaction with sex and age.
Methods: In a cross-sectional design 330 participants were recruited from a public institution in Mexico providing specialized outpatient rehabilitation. After signing informed consent they responded a brief sociodemographic questionnaire and the WHOQOL-BREF scale.
Results: In general quality of life levels were satisfactory. Female and elderly patients with diseases of the nervous system were particularly affected in the physical and psychological dimensions. Women with diseases of the nervous system also showed a negatively affected social quality of life. Elderly with diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue scored the lowest in general health perception.
Conclusions: Even though most patients were quite satisfied with their quality of life, not all aspects or cases have such positive perceptions; both the physical and psychological dimensions were particularly negative in female and elderly patients with nervous system diseases. Clinicians would do well to thoughtfully assess patients in these groups and adjust treatment to achieve the greatest possible rehabilitation.
Keywords: Disability; Mexican; Quality of life.
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