4.4 The comparison of the SSQOL and the SF-36 according to
sociodemographic characteristics
When HRQOL was examined in stroke patients according to demographic
characteristics, some differences in some domains were noted between
these two scales. A statistically significant difference was detected in
Energy subdimension relative to Educational Status subdimension of
socio-demographic characteristics in SF-36 scale in contrast to SSQOL
scale. (P <0.05) (Table 4). When the general quality of life
was evaluated with SF-36, it was seen that the youth and men were better
as for social activities, and high school graduates received higher
scores in Energy subdimension, and employees fared better in physical
energy, and social functioning.
When the quality of life was evaluated with SSQOL, it was seen that the
energy of lycée graduates was at a higher level.
The distributions of subdimension and total scores of both scales
according to demographic characteristics were comparable. In other
words, the parameter had a high average score in both SSQOL and SF-36
scales. The differences in the different subdimensions of the two scales
according to demographic characteristics may be due to the fact that
SF-36 provides an overall assessment of QOL. However SSQOL is
disease-specific, and it rather focuses on the effect of the disease on
the activity, energy, mental status and social status of stroke
patients17.
The mean scores of relatively younger patients in all age groups were
higher in all similar dimensions of both scales than the other age
groups. This result can be interpreted as that the adaptation of the
young people to the disease is better and that the state of being more
active in their daily lives physically, psychologically and socially
continues throughout the disease process. However, in contrast to our
study, in a study it was reported that the average scores of patients
aged 70 years and over in terms of self-care, mobility, upper extremity
functioning, family role and social role increased with increasing
age31. SF-36 scores were lower in all similar
subdimensions compared to SSQOL. This decrease was mostly seen between
PF, and PA which may be due to the fact that the activities discussed in
the PF dimension of SF-36 are mostly out-of-home activities and that
patients with stroke have difficulty performing these activities.
However, SSQOL-PA dimension mostly evaluates self-care and in-home
activities.