Complications following spinal cord injury: occurrence and risk factors in a longitudinal study during and after inpatient rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the occurrence and risk factors for complications following spinal cord injury during and after inpatient rehabilitation.


METHODS
Multicentre longitudinal study.


METHODS
A total of 212 persons with a spinal cord injury admitted to specialized rehabilitation centres.


METHODS
Assessments at the start of active rehabilitation (n=212), 3 months later (n=143), at discharge (n=191) and 1 year after discharge (n=143).


RESULTS
Multi-level random coefficient analyses revealed that complications were common following spinal cord injury. Most subjects reported neurogenic and musculoskeletal pain, or had spasticity at each assessment. During the year after discharge, complications remained common: urinary tract infections and pressure sores affected 49% and 36% of the population, respectively. The degree of pain decreased, whereas the degree of spasticity increased significantly during inpatient rehabilitation. Overall, increased age, increased body mass index, traumatic lesion, tetraplegia, and complete lesion all increased the risk of complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Complications are common following spinal cord injury. They need specific attention after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and within subpopulations.
Haisma
Janneke A
JA
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. j.haisma@erasmusmc.nl
van der Woude
Lucas H
LH
Stam
Henk J
HJ
Bergen
Michael P
MP
Sluis
Tebbe A
TA
Post
Marcel W
MW
Bussmann
Johannes B
JB
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000209:etiology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology