RESUMEN
To assess the quality of life and its relationship with sociodemographic variables among physically disabled patients with artificial limb replacement seen at our tertiary care facility.
This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the artificial limb centre of Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan - a tertiary care facility. 100 consecutive out- patients of both genders between ages of 13-60 years with artificial limb replacement from December 2011 to July 2012 were included in the study. The patients below age of 13 years, comorbid congenital limb deformities other than limb loss, having language barrier and who refused to participate in study were excluded from the study. A detailed assessment which included: application of consent form, demographic profile assessment, and assessment of quality of life by applying WHO QOL BRIEF [Quality of life WHO Scale] Urdu version. The data were analyzed using SPSS package version 10 . Majority of the patients had average quality of life in all domains. Regarding relationship of sociodemographic factors with quality of life, the average quality of life in all domains [D1, D2, D3, D4] was found in all variables except those who were educated till intermediate were having low quality of life in domain 3 and 4 [P<0.05]. The result of current study should be considered carefully when planning assessment and rehabilitation programs for individuals with physical disabilities and limb replacement