Non-traumatic spinal cord injury - Characterization of the population of a Rehabilitation Center

Abstract

Objectives: Non-traumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI) presents a significant challenge for treatment and rehabilitation and a thorough knowledge of this population may help to adjust service responses to need. We perform a retrospective analysis of first-admission NTSCI patients in a specialized spinal cord injury service in Portugal.

Methods: Medical records of all NTSCI patients first admitted between 01/01/2007 and discharged up to 30/11/2009 were sought. Patients who presented with a time to injury window greater than 24 months and who had prior rehabilitation in another specialized service were excluded. Epidemiological and injury etiology variables were collected, as well as neurological and functional outcome measures (ASIA Impairment Classification, FIM, bladder control, ambulation, and complications). Statistical analysis of data was performed using SPSS for Windows® version 17.0.

Results: A total of 69 patients met criteria for inclusion. There was a slight male predominance (55.1%) and the average age was 58 years. The most common NTSCI etiologies were tumors (20.3%), degenerative diseases (18.8%) and iatrogenesis (18.8%). Less prevalent causes included infectious, idiopathic, vascular and autoimmune diseases. Paraplegia occurred in 79.7% of cases and most of the study population had incomplete injuries (89.9%). Urinary tract infections (62.5%) and nociceptive and neuropathic pain (48.4%) were the most prevalent complications. There was a significant functional improvement after the rehabilitation program. Conclusions: Data obtained from this sample is consistent with the literature, suggesting an similar gender incidence, a predominant incomplete neurological injury and a favorable outcome with the rehabilitation program.

Keywords: Spinal cord injuries; Rehabilitation.