Assessment of physical function and secondary complications after complete spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
Two physical function questions on the widely used SF-12 Health Related Quality of Life questionnaire appear less than optimal for people with complete spinal cord injury (SCI). Physical function questions typically receive the lowest score unless the individual is ambulatory. Additionally, the influence of secondary complications of SCI on quality of life is largely unknown. The purposes of this report are: (1) to determine whether two SF-12 physical function follow-up questions provide increased information in subjects with complete SCI; and (2) to describe the secondary complications of SCI in this group.


METHODS
Ten subjects with complete SCI completed two survey instruments (the SF-12 and a Secondary Complications survey) every 3 months. The SF-12 included two physical function follow-up questions designed to improve the sensitivity and appropriateness of the SF-12 for a population with complete SCI.


RESULTS
The SF-12 follow-up questions revealed differences in physical function that did not appear with the original SF-12 items. With the new questions, subject scores approximated population normative values. The most common secondary complications (back pain, shoulder pain, leg spasms, leg joint stiffness, and difficulty coughing) were the most likely to be rated as moderately or greatly bothersome.


CONCLUSIONS
We advocate the use of follow-up questions for the SF-12 in complete SCI populations that are not ambulating to better discriminate changes in physical function. Secondly, we advocate further investigations to better understand the incidence and the severity of secondary complications after SCI.
Dudley-Javoroski
Shauna
S
Graduate Program in Physical Therapy and Physical Rehabilitation Science, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, 52242, USA.
Shields
Richard K
RK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires