Article

Practical quality-of-life (QOL) screening methods are needed to help
focus clinical decision-making on what matters to individuals with disabilities.
DESIGN: A secondary analysis of a database from a large study of adults aging
with impairments focused on four diagnostic groups: cerebral palsy (n = 134),
polio (n = 321), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 99), and stroke (n = 82).
Approximately 20% of cases were repeated measures of the same individuals 3-5 yrs
later. Functional levels, depression, and social interactions were assessed. The
single-item, subjective, seven-point Kemp Quality of Life Scale measured QOL. For
each diagnostic group, Kemp Quality of Life Scale responses were divided into
low, average, and high QOL subgroups. Analysis of variance and Tukey honestly
significant difference tests compared clinical characteristics among these
subgroups. RESULTS: Duration of disability varied among the four groups. Within
each group, QOL subgroups were similar in age, sex, and duration of disability.
Low mean QOL was associated with lower functional level, higher depression
scores, and lower social interaction (P < 0.001) in all four groups. In contrast,
high mean QOL was associated with higher social interaction (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: The Kemp Quality of Life Scale relates significantly to clinically
relevant variables in adults with impairments. The scale's utility in direct
clinical care merits further examination.

Langue : ANGLAIS