Quality of Life among Lower Limb Amputees with Chronic Phantom Limb Pain or Stump Pain at a Tertiary Institution's Pain Clinic
Issued Date
2022-03-01
Resource Type
ISSN
01252208
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85127156287
Journal Title
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand
Volume
105
Issue
3
Start Page
228
End Page
239
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand Vol.105 No.3 (2022) , 228-239
Suggested Citation
Pasutharnchat K. Quality of Life among Lower Limb Amputees with Chronic Phantom Limb Pain or Stump Pain at a Tertiary Institution's Pain Clinic. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand Vol.105 No.3 (2022) , 228-239. 239. doi:10.35755/jmedassocthai.2022.03.13282 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/86053
Title
Quality of Life among Lower Limb Amputees with Chronic Phantom Limb Pain or Stump Pain at a Tertiary Institution's Pain Clinic
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Phantom pain and stump pain in amputees have negative physical and psychological impacts. These effects may influence the quality of life (QoL) of lower limb amputees. Objective: To explore QoL of lower limb amputees treated at Ramathibodi pain clinic. Materials and Methods: All lower limb amputees treated at Ramathibodi pain clinic in 2020 were invited to answer questionnaires, including demographic data, the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Participants were recruited to join a focus group discussion and individual interviews. Qualitative data were collected, and then analyzed using content analysis and inductive thematic analysis. Results: Twenty-two participants were recruited. Average SF-36 score was 49.17±10.07. Physical component summary was 23.36±15.27 and mental component summary was 68.02±16.45. HADS were 5.91±3.69 and 5.23±3.42 for anxiety and depression, respectively. Eight participants were selected for focus group discussion and individual interviews. Five themes emerged, including biopsychosocial effects of amputation, pain among amputees, concepts of encouragement in life, gaps between patients and multidisciplinary team staff, and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Lower limb amputees had low QoL. Amputation was found to restrict patients' physical function, and good pain management was reported to be crucial to help amputees cope and accept their condition. Positive self-esteem and social support also played a significant role. Inadequate communication was found to be the main deficit requiring attention. Lockdown policies during the COVID-19 pandemic affected QoL but pain intensity was maintained with management via telemedicine.