Evaluati̇on of quali̇ty of li̇fe i̇n pati̇ents hospi̇tali̇zed i̇n the orthopedi̇cs servi̇ce

This study was conducted to determine the quality of life of patients treated in the orthopedics ward using the Short Form 36 Quality of Life Scale and to identify variables related to quality of life. The sample of this descriptive and cross-sectional study consisted of 126 patients hospitalized in the orthopedics ward. Data were collected using a patient demographic form and the Short Form 36 Quality of Life Scale; normality analyses revealed that the data did not show a normal distribution, therefore non-parametric statistical tests were applied. Mann–Whitney U test was used for comparisons by gender, Kruskal–Wallis H test for comparisons by body mass index classes, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate relationships between sub-dimensions. The mean body mass index of the patients was found to be 27.12 ± 6.33. When the sub-dimensions of the Short Form 36 were examined, it was determined that the physical role limitation sub-dimension had the lowest mean, while the mental health and vitality/fitness sub-dimensions had relatively higher mean values. A strong positive correlation was found between physical function and physical role limitation, a moderately significant negative correlation between physical function and pain, and a strong negative correlation between pain and physical role limitation. The vitality/wellness subscale was found to have positive and significant correlations with social function and mental health. No statistically significant differences were found in the Short Form 36 subscales and physical and mental component summary scores according to gender and body mass index classes. Furthermore, it was determined that pain, loss of physical function, and physical role limitation were the factors most affecting quality of life in patients hospitalized in the orthopedics ward, and that gender and body mass index did not have a significant effect on quality of life.