title: Prevalence and Effect of Problematic Spasticity After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.
abstract: To evaluate the prevalence and effect of spasticity after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI).
  
  
  
  Prospective cohort study of the Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry (RHSCIR) and retrospective review of inpatient medical charts.
  
  
  
  Quaternary trauma center, rehabilitation center, and community settings.
  
  
  
  Individuals (N=860) with a traumatic SCI between March 1, 2005, and March 31, 2014, prospectively enrolled in the Vancouver site RHSCIR were eligible for inclusion.
  
  
  
  Not applicable.
  
  
  
  Questionnaires (Penn Spasm Frequency Scale, Spinal Cord Injury Health Questionnaire) and antispasticity medication use.
  
  
  
  In 465 patients, the prevalence of spasticity at community discharge was 65%, and the prevalence of problematic spasticity (defined as discharged on antispasticity medication) was 35%. Problematic spasticity was associated with cervicothoracic neurologic level and injury severity (P<.001). In community follow-up, the prevalence of patients reporting any spasticity treatment (ie, problematic spasticity) was 35% at 1 year, 41% at 2 years, and 31% at 5 years postinjury. Interference with function caused by spasticity was reported by 27% of patients at 1 year, 25% at 2 years, and 20% at 5 years postinjury. Patients with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grade C injuries had the highest prevalence of ongoing spasticity treatment and functional limitation.
  
  
  
  Spasticity is a highly prevalent secondary consequence of SCI, particularly in patients with severe motor incomplete cervicothoracic injuries. It is problematic in one third of all patients with SCI up to 5 years postinjury. One in 5 patients will have ongoing functional limitations related to spasticity, highlighting the importance of close community follow-up and the need for further research into spasticity management strategies.
authors: Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors: Kaila A
authors: KA
authors: Holtz
authors: Emmes Canada, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Lipson
authors: Rick Hansen Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors: Vanessa K
authors: VK
authors: Noonan
authors: International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Vancouver Spine Surgery Institute, Department of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors: Brian K
authors: BK
authors: Kwon
authors: Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Rehabilitation Research Program, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: patricia.mills@vch.ca.
authors: Patricia B
authors: PB
authors: Mills
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Muscle spasticity; Observational study; Rehabilitation; Spasm; Spinal cord injuries