Prediction models and development of an easy to use open-access tool for measuring lung function of individuals with motor complete spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
To develop statistical models to predict lung function and respiratory muscle strength from personal and lesion characteristics of individuals with motor complete spinal cord injury.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, multi-centre cohort study.


METHODS
A total of 440 individuals with traumatic, motor complete spinal cord injury, time post-injury ≥ 6 months, lesion level C4-T12, underwent measurements of lung function and respiratory muscle strength.


METHODS
Prediction models for lung volumes and peak inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength were calculated. Using multi-level regression models, the effects of personal characteristics (gender, age, height, body mass) and lesion characteristics (time post-injury and lesion level) were determined.


RESULTS
Positive predictors of lung function parameters were: male gender, younger age, greater height, greater body mass and lower lesion level. For maximal inspiratory muscle strength, male gender, younger age, greater body mass and lower lesion level were significant positive predictors, whereas for maximal expiratory muscle strength, male gender, younger age, longer time post-injury and lower lesion level were positive influencing parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to predictive models for able-bodied individuals, lung function parameters of persons with spinal cord injury are influenced by body mass and lesion level. Maximal expiratory muscle strength improves with longer time post-injury.
Clinical Trial Unit, Swiss Paraplegic Center, Nottwil, Switzerland. gabi.mueller@paranet.ch
Gabi
G
Mueller
Sonja
S
de Groot
Lucas H
LH
van der Woude
Claudio
C
Perret
Franz
F
Michel
Maria T E
MT
Hopman
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D055815:Young Adult