Aging with a spinal cord injury: factors associated with the need for more help with activities of daily living.
OBJECTIVE
To determine (1) the frequency of the need for more help with activities of daily living (ADLs), (2) the frequency of medical complications, and (3) the association between medical, injury-related, and sociodemographic factors and the need for more help with ADLs among those aging with spinal cord injury (SCI).


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
General community, international.


METHODS
Volunteers (N=352) with SCI for more than 20 years.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
The need for more help with ADLs.


RESULTS
The need for more help with ADLs during the last 3 years was reported by 32.1% of participants. At least 1 medical complication was reported by 85%. Constipation (47.9%), diarrhea/bowel accidents (41.8%), and pressure ulcers (38.7%) were common. Constipation, pressure ulcers, female gender, and years postinjury were associated with needing more help with ADLs. Constipation and pressure ulcers were associated with a 97% and a 76% increase, respectively, in the likelihood of needing more help with ADLs during a 3-year time period. Female gender was associated with a 96% increased odds of needing more help with ADLs. There was a 42% increased odds of needing more help with ADLs per decade after SCI.


CONCLUSIONS
People aging with SCI are vulnerable to medical complications, and additional help is required to function. Knowledge of the effect of these factors, particularly the tetrad of constipation, pressure ulcers, female gender, and number of years postinjury, should increase awareness that more help with ADLs may be needed over time.
Liem
Nathania R
NR
Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. n_liem@tricolour.queensu.ca
McColl
Mary Ann
MA
King
Will
W
Smith
Karen M
KM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002170:Canada; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States