Functional outcomes and disability after nontraumatic spinal cord injury rehabilitation: Results from a retrospective study
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe, in a group of patients undergoing initial inpatient rehabilitation after nontraumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), the demographic characteristics, clinical features, and outcomes, with a focus on the functional status and disability.
DESIGN: Retrospective data analysis, 3-year case series.
SETTING: Tertiary medical unit specializing in nontraumatic SCI rehabilitation.
PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive sample of 70 adult inpatient referrals with nontraumatic SCI undergoing initial inpatient rehabilitation.
INTERVENTION: Chart review.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were demographic characteristics, clinical features, mortality, length of stay (LOS), neurologic classification, accommodation setting, support services, mobility, bladder and bowel continence, and FIM instrument scores.
RESULTS: Forty-one patients (58.6%) were paraplegic incomplete, 23 (32.9%) were tetraplegic incomplete, and 6 (8.6%) were paraplegic complete. Eight patients (11.4%) died before hospital discharge. Of those who survived, 47 (75.8%) were discharged home, 11 (17.7%) were transferred to a nursing home, and 4 (6.4%) went elsewhere in the community. The geometric mean LOS was 55.8 days. Nine patients (14.5%) were discharged walking unaided, 27 (43.5%) were walking at least 10 m with a gait aid, and 26 (41.9%) were wheelchair dependent for mobility. Thirty patients (48.4%) were voiding on sensation, 7 (11.1%) used intermittent catheterization, 23 (37.2%) had an indwelling catheter,…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case series, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
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