Andréane Richard-Denis1,2, Cynthia Thompson3, Jean-Marc Mac-Thiong4,3,5. 1. Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, 5400 Gouin Boul. West, Montreal, QC, H4J 1C5, Canada. andreane.rdenis@gmail.com. 2. Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Pavillon Roger-Gaudry, S-749, C.P. 6128, succ. Centre-ville, Montreal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada. andreane.rdenis@gmail.com. 3. Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Pavillon Roger-Gaudry, S-749, C.P. 6128, succ. Centre-ville, Montreal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada. 4. Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, 5400 Gouin Boul. West, Montreal, QC, H4J 1C5, Canada. 5. Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada.
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between quality of life (QOL) after a traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) and acute predictors, with a particular emphasis on the initial severity of the neurological injury. Secondarily, to compare the QOL after a TSCI with the general population. SETTING: A single Level-1 SCI-trauma centre. METHODS: A cohort of 119 individuals admitted after a cervical TSCI between April 2010 and September 2016 was studied. QOL was assessed using the SF-36v2 questionnaire 6-12 months following the injury, and compared to the general population. The relationship between the initial severity of the neurological injury and the SF-36 summary scores was assessed using linear multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS: Individuals sustaining less severe neurological injury (grade D) exhibited higher PCS than individuals with grades A, B or C injury. Individuals with initial grade A injury showed increased MCS than individuals with incomplete grade B, C or D injury, with 42.9% scoring higher than the general population. The initial grade was significantly associated with chronic PCS and MCS. CONCLUSIONS: The initial severity of the neurological injury after a cervical TSCI may be used to estimate QOL in the subacute period following the injury. Individuals with complete tetraplegia may report good mental QOL despite severe physical impairment. Our findings could help clinicians to determine realistic expectations for patients in terms of QOL, and optimize the rehabilitation plan based on the initial evaluation after a TSCI.
STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between quality of life (QOL) after a traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) and acute predictors, with a particular emphasis on the initial severity of the neurological injury. Secondarily, to compare the QOL after a TSCI with the general population. SETTING: A single Level-1 SCI-trauma centre. METHODS: A cohort of 119 individuals admitted after a cervical TSCI between April 2010 and September 2016 was studied. QOL was assessed using the SF-36v2 questionnaire 6-12 months following the injury, and compared to the general population. The relationship between the initial severity of the neurological injury and the SF-36 summary scores was assessed using linear multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS: Individuals sustaining less severe neurological injury (grade D) exhibited higher PCS than individuals with grades A, B or C injury. Individuals with initial grade A injury showed increased MCS than individuals with incomplete grade B, C or D injury, with 42.9% scoring higher than the general population. The initial grade was significantly associated with chronic PCS and MCS. CONCLUSIONS: The initial severity of the neurological injury after a cervical TSCI may be used to estimate QOL in the subacute period following the injury. Individuals with complete tetraplegia may report good mental QOL despite severe physical impairment. Our findings could help clinicians to determine realistic expectations for patients in terms of QOL, and optimize the rehabilitation plan based on the initial evaluation after a TSCI.
Authors: Jefferson R Wilson; Robert G Grossman; Ralph F Frankowski; Alexander Kiss; Aileen M Davis; Abhaya V Kulkarni; James S Harrop; Bizhan Aarabi; Alexander Vaccaro; Charles H Tator; Marcel Dvorak; Christopher I Shaffrey; Susan Harkema; James D Guest; Michael G Fehlings Journal: J Neurotrauma Date: 2012-07-31 Impact factor: 5.269
Authors: W M Hopman; T Towheed; T Anastassiades; A Tenenhouse; S Poliquin; C Berger; L Joseph; J P Brown; T M Murray; J D Adachi; D A Hanley; E Papadimitropoulos Journal: CMAJ Date: 2000-08-08 Impact factor: 8.262
Authors: Alessio Conti; Marco Clari; Maeve Nolan; Eva Wallace; Marco Tommasini; Silvia Mozzone; Sara Campagna Journal: Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil Date: 2019