RiteeshGrandhi/sciclaimeval-shared-task huggingface dataset:
Introduction
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is categorized by etiology into traumatic spinal cord injury (T-SCI) and non-traumatic spinal cord injury (NT-SCI) or dysfunction which results from damage to the spinal cord tissue ( Molinares et al., 2022 ; Altahla et al., 2024 ). The global incidence rate of T-SCI is estimated to range between 16 and 40 cases per million individuals annually ( Chhabra et al., 2018 ). In contrast, the incidence of NT-SCI tends to be higher in developed nations compared to developing countries, likely due to more systematic and accurate reporting ( New, Simmonds & Stevermuer, 2011 ; Guilcher et al., 2015 ). Demographically, most T-SCI cases involve younger, single males, whereas NT-SCI predominantly affects older, married individuals, with a more equal distribution between men and women ( Molinares et al., 2022 ; Lee et al., 2014 ). Given these demographic and etiological differences, disparities in quality of life (QoL) and subjective well-being (SWB) between these groups may be anticipated. Several published studies have examined the functional outcomes, secondary health conditions, QoL, and satisfaction with life (SWL) in individual with T-SCI ( Barclay et al., 2017 ; Nizeyimana, Joseph & Phillips, 2022 ; New et al., 2017 ; Chang et al., 2020 ). Studies have predominantly focused on T-SCI, with most SCI studies centered on this group ( New et al., 2017 ; Chang et al., 2020 ; Altahla, Alshorman & Tao, 2023 ). In contrast, limited research addresses QoL and SWL among individuals with NT-SCI, where only a few studies have included this population ( Barclay et al., 2017 ; New et al., 2017 ). Moreover, existing studies have not differentiated between various QoL and SWL factors. Chang et al. (2020) utilized the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) for T-SCI QoL assessments, supplementing this with the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHOQOL-DIS) modules to better capture disability-related dimensions. In China, individuals with chronic SCI exhibit lower QoL compared to the general population, underscoring the need for detailed assessments, particularly in NT-SCI, during rehabilitation and community reintegration. Recent research highlights the importance of addressing QoL and SWB in SCI populations, integrating health and well-being as central components of QoL assessments. Notably, one of the proposed future aims of the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) is to strengthen “links with QoL concepts and the evaluation of subjective well-being” ( Chang et al., 2012 ).

To date, the literature reveals a gap in studies specifically addressing QoL and SWB in NT-SCI populations in China. Therefore, this study aims to compare QoL and SWL among Chinese individuals with T-SCI, NT-SCI, and a healthy control group, as well as to assess the association between QoL and SWB in adults with SCI.
Conclusions
The findings indicate that individuals with NT-SCI face more marked challenges across various QoL domains, particularly in the overall health domain, with significantly lower satisfaction with life (SWL) scores compared to those with T-SCI. Factors beyond rehabilitation services and community support may also contribute to these disparities. Moreover, both SCI groups exhibited lower QoL and life satisfaction compared to the healthy population, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. The findings also highlight the complex interplay of various predictors on the QoL across different domains. Factors such as age, marital status, employment status, and type of paralysis play crucial roles in shaping physical, social, and environmental health. Physiotherapists and rehabilitation programs that work with NT-SCI patients should recognize that their QoL may be comparably lower than that of T-SCI individuals. It is essential for NT-SCI healthcare teams to focus on enhancing patient independence and facilitating community participation, as these efforts can lead to improvements in QoL. Importantly, a positive correlation was observed between SWB and QoL, suggesting that addressing both aspects is crucial for comprehensive rehabilitation strategies.
Figure 1: Rank order of WHOQOL-BREF domains scores of TSCI & NTSCI.

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DOI: 10.7717/peerj.18709/fig-1
Figure 2: Frequency distribution of SWLS.

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DOI: 10.7717/peerj.18709/fig-2
Figure 3: Illustrates the correlations between the QoL and SWLS scores among all individuals with SCI across different domains.

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DOI: 10.7717/peerj.18709/fig-3
Sample demographics.
Comparison quality of life domains and satisfaction with the life between T-SCI and NT-SCI.
Pearson’s correlation analysis among QoL and SWL of total people with SCI.