[Quality of life in patients with spinal cord injury]

It was aimed to measure the quality of life of adults with spinal cord injury and identify domains that affect the quality of life of these individuals. Epidemiological study, conducted in 2007-2008 in Health Basic Units of Campina Grande/PB. There were 47 participants. It was used a questionnaire composed by: sociodemographic variables, etiology of injury; validated instrument to measure quality of life containing four domains: Physical Health, Environmental, Social Relationships and Psychological with their respective facets. The data collected were processed using descriptive and statistical analysis. The domains with lowest scores were: Environmental (55.20 points), Physical health (58.59 points). The facets that compromise the domains: mobility (55.3%), work capacity (55.3%), Financial resources (80.9%), Opportunities for acquiring new information and skills (51%), Participation in and opportunities for recreation/leisure activities (68.1%) and Sexual activity (34%). Results express the dissatisfaction of participants with quality of life. Nurses should contribute to rehabilitation and social reinsertion of those people, respecting their limitations, emphasizing the remaining potential and capacity for self-care.