V Madasa1, B Boggenpoel1, J Phillips1, C Joseph2. 1. Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa. 2. Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa. conran@sun.ac.za.
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, regional, population-based study. OBJECTIVES: (1) Determine the mortality rate and factors associated with it 4 years after a TSCI and (2) The point prevalence of secondary medical complications of survivors at 4 years. SETTING: Communities of the Cape metropolitan area, South Africa. METHODS: All persons (n = 145) sustaining a TSCI from 15 September 2013 to 14 September 2014 were eligible for follow-up at 4 years. Participants were contacted after 4 years. The next of kin, via verbal autopsy, was used to establish cause of death. Those who were alive at 4 years were asked to indicate any secondary medical complications. Logistic regression techniques were used to identify independently associated risk indicators for death and development of secondary complications, respectively. RESULTS: Of the initial 145 persons, 87 were included and accounted for. Of these, 21 (24%) had died, 55 (63%) were alive and completed the survey, and 11 (13%) were classified as alive but did not submit the survey. The main cause of death reported was septicaemia (n = 7; 33%), followed by unknown natural causes (n = 7; 33%), then pressure injuries (n = 5; 24%). Out of the 55 persons alive, 89% had at least one medical complication at the time of enquiry, while more than 50% experienced 6 or more complications. The most common complications were pain (80%), muscle spasms (76%), sleeping problems (56%), and bladder dysfunction (44%). CONCLUSIONS: Almost one-quarter of persons with TSCI have died 4 years after injury. Also, secondary complications were found to be highly prevalent at 4 years. This information could be used to develop secondary complications prevention programmes to reduce premature deaths. SPONSORSHIP: This study was funded by the Medical Research Council of South Africa within the Research Capacity Development Initiative.
STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, regional, population-based study. OBJECTIVES: (1) Determine the mortality rate and factors associated with it 4 years after a TSCI and (2) The point prevalence of secondary medical complications of survivors at 4 years. SETTING: Communities of the Cape metropolitan area, South Africa. METHODS: All persons (n = 145) sustaining a TSCI from 15 September 2013 to 14 September 2014 were eligible for follow-up at 4 years. Participants were contacted after 4 years. The next of kin, via verbal autopsy, was used to establish cause of death. Those who were alive at 4 years were asked to indicate any secondary medical complications. Logistic regression techniques were used to identify independently associated risk indicators for death and development of secondary complications, respectively. RESULTS: Of the initial 145 persons, 87 were included and accounted for. Of these, 21 (24%) had died, 55 (63%) were alive and completed the survey, and 11 (13%) were classified as alive but did not submit the survey. The main cause of death reported was septicaemia (n = 7; 33%), followed by unknown natural causes (n = 7; 33%), then pressure injuries (n = 5; 24%). Out of the 55 persons alive, 89% had at least one medical complication at the time of enquiry, while more than 50% experienced 6 or more complications. The most common complications were pain (80%), muscle spasms (76%), sleeping problems (56%), and bladder dysfunction (44%). CONCLUSIONS: Almost one-quarter of persons with TSCI have died 4 years after injury. Also, secondary complications were found to be highly prevalent at 4 years. This information could be used to develop secondary complications prevention programmes to reduce premature deaths. SPONSORSHIP: This study was funded by the Medical Research Council of South Africa within the Research Capacity Development Initiative.
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