Secondary conditions in a community sample of people with spinal cord damage

To compare secondary conditions in people with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) and non-traumatic spinal cord dysfunction (SCDys).

Survey; completed August 2012 - June 2013.

Community, Australia.

Adults with spinal cord damage from any cause.

Nil.

Demographic and clinical variables and the SCI-Secondary Conditions Scale (SCI-SCS).

Survey completed by 150 people: 112 (74.7%) with traumatic SCI and 38 (25.3%) with non-traumatic SCDys a median of 10 years post onset. No significant difference (t = -0.6, P = 0.6) in the total SCI-SCS score between those with SCI (mean 13.7) and SCDys (mean 14.4). Except for bladder problems (SCDys mean = 1.5, SD = 1.1; SCI mean = 1.0, SD=1.1; t = -2.6, P = 0.01) there were no significant differences between the aetiology groups regarding the conditions comprising the SCI-SCS (all other P values >0.1). The most common significant or chronic problems from the SCI-SCS were: sexual problems 41%; chronic pain 24%; bladder dysfunction 17%; spasms 17%; joint and muscle pain 15%; bowel dysfunction 14%; circulation problems 14%; contractures 9%; urinary tract infections 9%; pressure ulcer 7% and postural hypotension 5%. A linear regression analysis found that tetraplegia and higher disability were the only variables that significantly influenced (R² = 0.13; P = 0.005) the total SCI-SCS score and that sex, age, years post injury and etiology of spinal cord damage had no influence.

Secondary conditions following spinal cord damage do not appear to be influenced by etiology. Prevention and management of secondary conditions following need to consider people with non-traumatic SCDys as well as those with traumatic SCI.