Sinais e sintomas depressivos em pessoas com lesão medular

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence and prevalence of people affected by spinal cord injuries increases every year, whether due to traumatic or pathological etiology. In addition, more than half of those affected may develop depression as a secondary complication, aggravate the clinical condition of patients and decrease the quality of life of their health, requiring treatment and rehabilitation for an indefinite period provided by the multidisciplinary health team. Objective: To analyze the occurrence of depressive signs and symptoms associated with levels of modified or complete functional dependence in people with spinal cord injury. Method: This is a cross sectional study with a quantitative approach. The study was conducted in the city of Campina Grande - Paraíba, in 2019 - 2020, with people who suffer from physical injuries due to spinal cord injuries and do not have injuries caused by other diseases or injuries. I only participated in researches that were registered in some basic health unit in the city, both in rural and urban areas. A sample was determined from the center of the population, totaling 52 individuals. As for data collection, it was carried out in a single moment, where a socioeconomic and clinical questionnaire was applied, and two validated methods to capture depressive signs and symptoms in the numbers and to assess their functional capacity. Regarding the data analysis process, statistical tests were performed using the SPSS software to check for possible variations (p <0.05) and frequency measures. It is worth mentioning that, as it deals with research with human beings, it follows all the captures of Resolution No. 466/2012 and applies to the Free and Informed Consent Term to all participants, according to regulations. In addition to being submitted to the Research Ethics Committee and having approved the opinion. Results: In this sample, most of those affected by spinal cord injury are men (75%), non-white (79%), catholic (51.9%), with low education (55.8%), salaried (82.7 %), without companions (75%), with spinal cord injury resulting from trauma that reached the thoracic region (32.5%) and age below 50 years (65.4%). In addition, the presence of depressive signs and symptoms was detected in the majority of the population (63.5%), when associated with dependence on food (p = 0.039), bathing (p = 0.018) and dressing - upper part (p = 0.021) and lower (p = 0.038). Conclusion: People affected by spinal cord injury are more likely to show depressive signs and symptoms associated with dependence to eat, bathe and dress (upper and lower).