The association of age, pain, and fatigue with physical functioning and depressive symptoms in persons with spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the relationship of pain and fatigue with physical and psychological functioning in adults with spinal cord injury (SCI).


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Community-based survey.


METHODS
Convenience sample of individuals with SCI.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Physical functioning (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Functioning item bank items), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)), pain severity (0-10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)), and fatigue (0-10 NRS).


RESULTS
Pain and fatigue were independently associated with depression, but only pain was associated with physical functioning. Additionally, depression was more severe among middle-aged participants relative to younger or older participants. Physical functioning declined with increasing age, as well as with higher level of injury.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings support the need for continued development of effective treatments for both pain and fatigue in order to prevent and mitigate the negative effects these symptoms can have on functioning.
University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA. kalschul@uw.edu
Kevin N
KN
Alschuler
Mark P
MP
Jensen
Sarah J
SJ
Sullivan-Singh
Soo
S
Borson
Amanda E
AE
Smith
Ivan R
IR
Molton
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005221:Fatigue / Q000150:complications* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D055815:Young Adult