Prediction of severe neurogenic bowel dysfunction in persons with spinal cord injury.
METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the predictors of severe neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI).


METHODS
The Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Taiwan.


METHODS
Two questionnaires-the NBD score and the Beck Depression Inventory second edition-were sent to 232 persons with SCI by mail. The demographic factors and injury-related factors were recorded to evaluate any relationships with severe NBD. The associations between the severity of NBD and psychological condition were also measured.


RESULTS
In all, 39.4% of the respondents suffered from severe NBD. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that those with a cervical injury (odds ratios (OR)=10.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-67.7) or a thoracic injury (OR=7.1, 95% CI 1.2-40.3) had a higher risk of severe NBD than those with a lumbar injury. Persons with American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) A had a 12.8-fold higher risk of severe NBD than persons with ASIA D (OR=12.8, 95% CI 3.3-50.1). Longer duration of injury (> or =10 years) was another risk factor of severe NBD. Moderate-to-severe depression was associated with reduced bowel function.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that high level of cord lesion, completeness of cord injury and longer duration of injury (> or =10 years) could predict the severity of NBD in patients with SCI.
Liu
C-W
CW
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Huang
C-C
CC
Chen
C-H
CH
Yang
Y-H
YH
Chen
T-W
TW
Huang
M-H
MH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055496:Neurogenic Bowel / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult