Disability in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury and Chronic Renal Failure

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the status of disability between chronic renal failure patients who underwent hemodialysis (HD) and patients with paraplegia due to spinal cord injuries. Methods: Thirty chronic renal failure patients (12 women and 18 men) who have been receiving regular HD treat-ment (HD group) and 30 paraplegic patients (Paraplegic group) (22 women and 8 men) defined by Spinal Cord Injury Association were recruited to the study. All sociodemographical characteristics and brief personal information about the dialysis and paraplegic patients were recorded. The disability status was analyzed by Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique Short Form (CHART-SF). Results: The mean ages of patients were 39.40±6.81 in HD and 36.17±8.92 years in the spinal cord injury group (p>0.05). According to CHART subgroup analysis, the physical independence level was 89.20±21.43 and 77.87±33.25 (p>0.05); cognitive evaluation was 91.97±18.15 and 77.63±33.25 (p<0.05*); mobility was 76.23±11.14 and 70.10±23.68 (p>0.05); roles and activities status were 24.58±35.10 and 38.75±40.22 (p>0.05); social integration was 70.37±16.30 and 64.37±22,64 (p>0.05); in HD and paraplegic group, respectively. Conclusion: Although there is no physically handicapped state in HD patients, the severity of disability level is considered to be as high as in paraplegic patients.