OBJECTIVE: To assess the occurrence of secondary health conditions and their potential risk factors in persons with spinal cord injury from 1 to 5 years after discharge from initial inpatient rehabilitation. DESIGN: Multicentre longitudinal study. SUBJECTS: A total of 139 wheelchair-dependent persons with spinal cord injury. METHODS: The occurrence of secondary health conditions and their potential risk factors were assessed in a clinical interview with a rehabilitation physician at 1 and 5 years after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and by a telephone interview 2 years after discharge. Self-report questionnaires were used for the assessment of musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain. RESULTS: Neuropathic pain (83.7-92.1%), musculoskeletal pain (62.3-87.1%) and urinary tract infection (56.5-58.9%) were the most frequently reported secondary health conditions. The occurrence of several secondary health conditions was higher among women and individuals with a complete lesion, tetraplegia, and with a higher body mass index. CONCLUSION: Secondary health conditions are common in the first years post-discharge following spinal cord injury, and their course seems to be relatively stable. These results emphasize the number of health issues that must be considered during post-injury care of persons with spinal cord injury living in the community, and the importance of a well-coordinated interdisciplinary approach from specialized rehabilitation centres.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the occurrence of secondary health conditions and their potential risk factors in persons with spinal cord injury from 1 to 5 years after discharge from initial inpatient rehabilitation. DESIGN: Multicentre longitudinal study. SUBJECTS: A total of 139 wheelchair-dependent persons with spinal cord injury. METHODS: The occurrence of secondary health conditions and their potential risk factors were assessed in a clinical interview with a rehabilitation physician at 1 and 5 years after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and by a telephone interview 2 years after discharge. Self-report questionnaires were used for the assessment of musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain. RESULTS:Neuropathic pain (83.7-92.1%), musculoskeletal pain (62.3-87.1%) and urinary tract infection (56.5-58.9%) were the most frequently reported secondary health conditions. The occurrence of several secondary health conditions was higher among women and individuals with a complete lesion, tetraplegia, and with a higher body mass index. CONCLUSION: Secondary health conditions are common in the first years post-discharge following spinal cord injury, and their course seems to be relatively stable. These results emphasize the number of health issues that must be considered during post-injury care of persons with spinal cord injury living in the community, and the importance of a well-coordinated interdisciplinary approach from specialized rehabilitation centres.
Authors: P van der Meer; M W M Post; C M C van Leeuwen; H J M van Kuppevelt; C A J Smit; F W A van Asbeck Journal: Spinal Cord Date: 2016-07-19 Impact factor: 2.772
Authors: L Y Garcia-Arguello; J C O'Horo; A Farrell; R Blakney; M R Sohail; C T Evans; N Safdar Journal: Spinal Cord Date: 2016-12-06 Impact factor: 2.772
Authors: Eline W M Scholten; Maria E H Tromp; Chantal F Hillebregt; Sonja de Groot; Marjolijn Ketelaar; Johanna M A Visser-Meily; Marcel W M Post Journal: Spinal Cord Date: 2018-01-16 Impact factor: 2.772
Authors: Amanda McIntyre; Stephanie L Marrocco; Samantha A McRae; Lindsay Sleeth; Sander Hitzig; Susan Jaglal; Gary Linassi; Sarah Munce; Dalton L Wolfe Journal: Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil Date: 2020