Assessing the ability of the Sacral Autonomic Standards to document bladder and bowel function based upon the Asia Impairment Scale.

Study design: Retrospective review of data. Objective: To determine if there is a relationship between the Asia Impairment Scale (AIS) and the bladder and bowel components of the International Standards to Document Remaining Autonomic Function after SCI (ISAFSCI). Setting: University-Based Academic Rehabilitation Program.
Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study assessing International Standards for Neurologic Classification After SCI (ISNCSCI) examination along with bladder and bowel components of the ISAFSCI.
Results: Subjects with AIS A injuries were statistically less likely to have history of bladder control and bowel control per investigator determination and bladder sensation via self-report versus patients categorized with AIS B injuries. Self-reported history of bowel sensation and control of voiding were more likely in subjects with C, D, or E injuries than with B injuries. Bowel and bladder control as determined by investigator and bladder and bowel sensation and control as self-reported were all statistically less likely in persons with AIS A injuries versus CDE. Conclusions: This retrospective study provides initial data regarding components of the bladder and bowel sections of the sacral ISAFSCI and AIS. Further prospective research is needed to further characterize the relationship between retention of bladder and bowel sensation and function and the AIS. We suggest that incorporation of the sacral components of the ISAFSCI into the ISNCSCI may be beneficial to obtain further information about retention of sacral function with specific patterns of injury.