Article

OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence and cumulative incidence of secondary
complications of spinal cord injury (SCI) in the first year after discharge from
inpatient rehabilitation (IR); and to evaluate potential associations between
risk of complications and sociodemographic and injury-specific factors. DESIGN:
Secondary analysis of data collected for a single-site, single-blind, randomized
controlled trial comparing telephone follow-up with usual care. SETTING:
Inpatient rehabilitation units. PARTICIPANTS: Adults ages >/=18 years (N=169)
within 1 year of discharge from IR after SCI. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN
OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-report of 10 secondary complications of SCI. RESULTS:
Participants experienced a mean of 4.7 complications over 12 months. The most
frequently reported complications were urinary tract infection (UTI), autonomic
dysreflexia (AD), and pressure ulcers, with cumulative incidences of 62%, 43%,
and 41%, respectively. Bone and soft tissue injuries (cumulative incidence, 35%)
and bowel problems, including impaction or severe constipation (cumulative
incidence, 33%), were also common. Cumulative incidences of AD, decubitus ulcers,
UTI, and problems with bladder were greater in participants with higher level and
more complete injuries, and some recurrent complications were common. Age at
injury and impairment level significantly affected rates of complications, and
subjects developed an average of 2.33 distinct complications during the study
period. CONCLUSIONS: People with SCI are at high risk for a number of secondary
complications over the first year after discharge from IR. Although these data
offer some insight into who with SCI is at highest risk for first time and
recurrent complications, further study is needed to refine this understanding and
to develop effective educational and prevention strategies.
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Langue : ANGLAIS