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.