Aims and objectives: To determine the aspects of excretory dysfunction most influential in determining the quality of life of survivors of spinal cord injury.
Background: Excretory dysfunction is one of the most common and troublesome sequelae of spinal cord injury. Previous studies have shown that it can restrict social participation restriction, cause readmission and generally influence quality of life substantially.
Design: A cross-sectional survey of hospital inpatients following STOBE guidelines.
Methods: A convenience sample of 101 patients with traumatic or non-traumatic spinal cord injury were asked about their experiences of excretory dysfunction, and management and their self-perceived quality of life. Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression were performed to isolate the most important relationships.
Results: Only 2 of the 101 subjects professed to be unaffected by excretion dysfunction. Bladder-related dysfunction was the most frequently mentioned type of problem. Quality of life impairment was found to be most often associated with bladder accidents, bowel accidents and having more than one bladder complications.
Conclusions: Excretory dysfunction substantially impacts quality of life after a spinal cord injury. Bladder accidents, bowel accidents and more than one bladder complication are factors independently influencing the quality of life of spinal cord injury survivors.
Relevance to clinical practice: To improve excretion-related QOL, patients' bladder and bowel self-management training should be strengthened seeking to prevent complications and reduce the risk of bladder and bowel accidents.
Keywords: excretory dysfunction; neurogenic bladder dysfunction; neurogenic bowel dysfunction; nursing; quality of life; spinal cord injury.
© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.