Medical procedures, complications, and outcomes for patients with spinal cord injury: A multicenter investigation comparing African Americans and whites.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the role of race on rehabilitation outcomes for a matched sample of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).


METHODS
African Americans and whites with SCI were matched based on age group, level and completeness of injury, and sponsor of care to retrospectively analyze the impact of race.


METHODS
Eighteen medical centers in the federally sponsored Model Spinal Cord Injury Systems project.


METHODS
A total of 628 adults with SCI.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Medical procedures and complications; American Spinal Injury Association motor index, and FIMT instrument scores at admission and discharge; and discharge dispositions.


RESULTS
Analysis revealed race-related differences in spinal surgeries, laparotomies, traction during acute care, and method of bladder management at discharge. In most cases, these were explained by cause of injury rather than direct affects of race. No differences were found with regard to medical complications functional outcomes, or discharge disposition.


CONCLUSIONS
Although differences exist in the medical procedures given to African Americans and whites with SCI, they are generally accounted for by cause of injury rather than the direct affects of race.
Meade
Michelle A
MA
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
Cifu
David X
DX
Seel
Ronald T
RT
McKinley
William O
WO
Kreutzer
Jeffrey S
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008297:Male; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D044465:White People