Changing demographic profile of the spinal cord injury population: implications for health care support systems

Eisenberg, Myron G.; Tierney, Diana O.

doi:10.1038/sc.1985.53

Cited by 12 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Despite the much-cited increase in surviv al rates in recent years [4,8,28] and the result ing increase in prevalence rates, there is little evidence to support a continuing increase. Again, a lack of standard definitions hinders the comparison of different studies over time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With the increases in survival over recent years, more people with SCI live longer. Given the high associated health and personal costs, informa tion on the prevalence of SCI is becoming increasingly important [8,9]. For example, a survey of the needs for information on the occurrence of SCI in Australia during 1993 demonstrated a strong demand for prevalence data [10], particularly by those concerned with the planning of clinical and community services for people with SCI.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prevalence of Spinal Cord Injury: An International Comparison

Blumer

Quine²

1995

Neuroepidemiology

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Information on the prevalence of spinal cord injury is becoming more important as the life expectancy of survivors is increasing, but few prevalence studies have been published. This paper summarises the internationally available findings on prevalence, including the methodologies and data sources used. Prevalence rates ranged from 11 to 112 per 100,000 population. Methodological difficulties in comparing findings over time, country, defined population and data source are discussed, and a more standardised methodology is recommended.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Spinal Cord Injury: An International Comparison

Blumer

Quine²

1995

Neuroepidemiology

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“…This is analogous with other studies. [8][9][10] Chronic pain was the most common com plication, especially in patients with a cer vical lesion. The most common site of pain both in paraplegics and quadriplegics was in the legs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spinal cord injuries in Iceland 1973-1989. A follow up study

Knútsdóttir¹

1993

Spinal Cord

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All traumatic SCI patients in Iceland come to the Neurosurgical Department of Borgarspitalinn, the City Hospital in Reykjavik for their initial treatment. From 1973From -1989 were rehabilitated at BorgarspHalinn.The purpose of this study was to look at the most common complications and the social functions of SCI patients after discharge from the Rehabilitation Department.A questionnaire was sent to 59 of the 79 patients. They represent almost the whole population of the spinal cord injured population in Iceland. Forty-five patients (76.3%) answered the questionnaire, 69% male, 31% female. Sixty seven percent were under the age of 30 years at the time of injury. Twenty-nine percent had a complete spinal cord injury; 53.3% were wheelchairbound (Frankel grade A, B, C); 55.6% were quadriplegic, and 44.4% paraplegic.The commonest complications were pain (64.4%), urinary tract infections (62.2%) and spasticity (60%); and 58% of the wheelchairbound patients had had pressure sores. Fifty-five point five percent were married; 71 % had an active sexual life after the injury; 54% of the wheelchairbound patients were not quite independent and required some assistance with activities of daily living (ADL) tasks; and 29% were not working or studying compared to 11%, who were, before the injury. No significant changes were seen in social function after the injury.The results show that more emphasis must be placed on the prevention of complications such as urinary tract infections and pressure sores and on the treatment of chronic pain and spasticity.

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“…A recent study showed, however, that in adults older than 55 years of age, the rehabilitation gain were comparable to those of a younger age group (8). Studies during the last two decades have shown an increased frequency of traumatic SCI among elderly people (9, 10). Because of the small number of patients in each of the clinical studies, our knowledge is still limited, especially with regard to patients older than 60 years at the time of injury (4–10).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%