title: Toward developing a specific outcome instrument for spine trauma: an empirical cross-sectional multicenter ICF-based study by AOSpine Knowledge Forum Trauma.
abstract: METHODS
  Empirical cross-sectional multicenter study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify the most commonly experienced problems by patients with traumatic spinal column injuries, excluding patients with complete paralysis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  There is no disease or condition-specific outcome instrument available that is designed or validated for patients with spine trauma, contributing to the present lack of consensus and ongoing controversies in the optimal treatment and evaluation of many types of spine injuries. Therefore, AOSpine Knowledge Forum Trauma started a project to develop such an instrument using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as its basis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with traumatic spinal column injuries, within 13 months after discharge from hospital were recruited from 9 trauma centers in 7 countries, representing 4 AOSpine International world regions. Health professionals collected the data using the general ICF Checklist. The responses were analyzed using frequency analysis. Possible differences between the world regions and also between the subgroups of potential modifiers were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Fisher exact test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 187 patients were enrolled. A total of 38 (29.7%) ICF categories were identified as relevant for at least 20% of the patients. Categories experienced as a difficulty/impairment were most frequently related to activities and participation (n = 15), followed by body functions (n = 6), and body structures (n = 5). Furthermore, 12 environmental factors were considered to be a facilitator in at least 20% of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Of 128 ICF categories of the general ICF Checklist, 38 ICF categories were identified as relevant. Loss of functioning and limitations in daily living seem to be more relevant for patients with traumatic spinal column injuries rather than pain during this time frame. This study creates an evidence base to define a core set of ICF categories for outcome measurement in adult spine trauma patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  4.
authors: *Department of Orthopaedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands †Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland, Baltimore ‡Division of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa §Department of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada ¶Division of Neurosurgery, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ‖Center for Spinal Surgery, BGU-Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany **Rehabilitation Center 'De Hoogstraat', Utrecht, the Netherlands ††Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands ‡‡Department of Orthopaedic and Spine Surgery, Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore, India §§Department of Orthopaedics, Catholic University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil; and ¶¶Department of Orthopaedics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.
authors: F Cumhur
authors: FC
authors: Oner
authors: Said
authors: S
authors: Sadiqi
authors: A Mechteld
authors: AM
authors: Lehr
authors: Bizhan
authors: B
authors: Aarabi
authors: Robert N
authors: RN
authors: Dunn
authors: Marcel F
authors: MF
authors: Dvorak
authors: Michael G
authors: MG
authors: Fehlings
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Kandziora
authors: Marcel W
authors: MW
authors: Post
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Rajasekaran
authors: Luiz
authors: L
authors: Vialle
authors: Alexander R
authors: AR
authors: Vaccaro
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010146:Pain / Q000601:surgery*; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult