2009 Volume 13 Issue 1 Pages 54-62
The purpose of this paper was to survey the physical, mental and social conditions of communitydwelling patients suffering from ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).
A questionnaire survey, which included an extended scale for activities of daily living (ADL) and a subjective quality of life(QOL) index, was conducted on 105 patients who were members of a self-help group for OPLL in A prefecture.
According to the collected data, the mean age of patients suffering from OPLL was 65.7 years, and the mean age at onset of OPLL was 55.1 years. Approximately 90% of the patients had symptoms of pain, palsy and limb coldness. Compared to patients under the age of 65, those aged 65 or older had fewer perfect ADL scores and had lower subjective health scores. Compared to patients who did not have severe limb coldness, those with limb coldness had lower ADL scores. In addition, compared to patients who did not have severe pain, palsy or limb coldness, those with these symptoms had lower subjective QOL scores.
These findings indicate that it is important for nursing staff to prevent exacerbation of pain, palsy and limb coldness in patients suffering from OPLL.
