Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation最新文献

Background: Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at increased risk of renal insufficiency, so their renal function must regularly be monitored. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) assessment is challenging as it requires measuring clearance of exogenous markers, which is impractical in most clinical settings. Thus, equations have been formulated to estimate GFR that utilize serum creatinine (Cr) or cystatin C (CysC).

Objectives: Given loss of muscle mass after SCI, we hypothesized equations using CysC would be more accurate than those using Cr after SCI.

Methods: Fifty-eight persons (51 male/7 female; age 22-87 years) with SCI level C2-L1/AIS A-D were enrolled. Serum CysC and Cr, 24-hour urine creatinine (24hrUCr) and 24-hour urine urea (24hrUurea) were collected. Average of the 24hrUCr clearance and 24hrUurea clearance was calculated (AvgCl_CrUr). Six GFR estimating equations were compared to AvgCl_CrUr. For each equation, mean bias (AvgCl_CrUr - eGFR) was calculated followed by the Pearson correlation calculation between AvgCl_CrUr and eGFR. In addition, the percentage of estimated values within 15%, 30%, and 50% of AvgCl_CrUr values are reported for each estimating equation.

Results: 2012 CKD-EPI CysC equation (bias 9.32 mg/dL, 95% CI, -1.23 to -17.41) was the most accurate predictor of GFR. This model accurately predicted GFR of 81%, 57%, and 33% within ±50%, ±30%, and ±15% of the AvgCl_CrUr, respectively. Conclusion: In persons with SCI, the CKD-EPI 2012 CysC equation, which uses cystatin C rather than creatinine, is the most accurate of the six equations tested in estimating GFR in persons with SCI.

Background: Spinal cord injuries (SCI) often result in cardiovascular issues, increasing the risk of stroke and cognitive deficits.

Objectives: This study assessed cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a hypercapnic challenge in SCI participants compared to noninjured controls.

Methods: Fourteen participants were analyzed (n = 8 with SCI [unless otherwise noted], median age = 44 years; n = 6 controls, median age = 33 years). CVR was calculated through fMRI signal changes.

Results: The results showed a longer CVR component (tau) in the grey matter of SCI participants (n = 7) compared to controls (median difference = 3.0 s; p < .05). Time since injury (TSI) correlated negatively with steady-state CVR in the grey matter and brainstem of SCI participants (R_S = -0.81, p = .014; R_S = -0.84, p = .009, respectively). Lower steady-state CVR in the brainstem of the SCI group (n = 7) correlated with lower diastolic blood pressure (R_S = 0.76, p = .046). Higher frequency of hypotensive episodes (n = 7) was linked to lower CVR outcomes in the grey matter (R_S = -0.86, p = .014) and brainstem (R_S = -0.89, p = .007).

Conclusion: Preliminary findings suggest a difference in the dynamic CVR component, tau, between the SCI and noninjured control groups, potentially explaining the higher cerebrovascular health burden in SCI individuals. Exploratory associations indicate that longer TSI, lower diastolic blood pressure, and more hypotensive episodes may lead to poorer CVR outcomes. However, further research is necessary to establish causality and support these observations.

Background: The proportion of patients with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade D traumatic spinal cord injuries (tSCI) is increasing. Although initial motor deficits can be relatively mild, some individuals fail to recover functional independence.

Objectives: This study aims to identify factors associated with failure to reach complete functional independence after AIS grade D tSCI.

Methods: An observational prospective cohort study was conducted at a level 1 trauma center specialized in SCI care. A prospective cohort of 121 individuals with an AIS-D tSCI was considered. The baseline characteristics, length of acute stay, need for inpatient rehabilitation, and 12-month functional status were assessed. Univariate and classification and regression tree (CART) analyses were performed to identify factors associated with reaching complete versus incomplete functional independence (defined as perfect total SCIM III score at 12-month follow-up).

Results: There were 69.3%, 83.3%, and 61.4% individuals reaching complete independence in self-care, respiration/sphincter management, and mobility, respectively. A total of 64 individuals (52%) reached complete functional independence in all three domains. In the CART analysis, we found that patients are more likely to achieve complete functional independence when they have a baseline motor score ≥83 (65% individuals) and if they present fewer medical comorbidities (70% individuals if Charlson Comorbidity Index [CCI] ≤4).

Conclusion: About half of individuals with AIS grade D tSCI can expect complete long-term functional independence. It is important to recognize early during acute care individuals with baseline motor score <83 or a high burden of comorbidities (CCI ≥5) to optimize their rehabilitation plan.

Background: Musculoskeletal complications are one of the most common reasons for a patient with a spinal cord injury (SCI) to be rehospitalized. Bone loss due to immobilization and changes in metabolic processes because of the SCI lead to an increased risk of fractures.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and demographic characteristics of people living with an SCI who had a secondary fracture.

Methods: We used population health administrative data from Ontario, Canada, in individuals with either traumatic (TSCI) or nontraumatic SCI (NTSCI). Records of duplicate cases, missing unique patient identifier numbers, individuals not eligible for provincial health insurance, and age <18 years were excluded. Only records of fractures treated in the emergency department or acute care hospital were included. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data, using counts and percentages that described the numbers and proportions of fractures by type disaggregated by sex, age groups, and type of SCI.

Results: A total of 14,168 unique records were identified with 4486 as TSCI and 9682 as NTSCI between April 1, 2004 and March 31, 2020 and were followed up to March 31, 2021. Overall, 11% of the cohort had a subsequent fracture with no difference between TSCI and NTSCI. Hip fractures accounted for 21% of the fractures, wrists accounted for 12%, spine 11%, and tibia 11%. The average time to the first subsequent fracture after the SCI was 3.97 (SD 3.4) years.

Conclusion: Monitoring and management of fracture risk needs attention in the first 2 years, with a focus on NTSCI.

Background: Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) at and above T6 experience impaired descending cortical control of the autonomic nervous system, which predisposes them to blood pressure (BP) disorders including persistent hypotension.

Objectives: The primary aim of this investigation was to determine the effects of midodrine, 10 mg, administered daily over a 30-day period in the home environment, compared to placebo, on laboratory assessments of BP, cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv), and cognitive performance in hypotensive individuals with chronic SCI.

Methods: This prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial was conducted in 15 individuals with tetraplegia. In the first 30-day period, five participants were randomized to midodrine and 10 were randomized to placebo; participants were then crossed over to the second 30-day period following a 14-day washout. Laboratory assessments of BP, CBFv, and cognitive performance were measured before and after each of the two study arms.

Results: Systolic BP (SBP) was significantly increased following midodrine administration compared to placebo (116 ± 23 mm Hg vs 94 ± 16 mm Hg; p = .002). In addition, diastolic CBFv was increased after midodrine administration compared to placebo (31.0 ± 11.2 vs 25.6 ± 9.1 cm/s; p = .04). However, there were no significant drug by time interaction effects for systolic or mean CBFv (p > .172) and cognitive performance (p = .689).

Conclusion: The results suggest significant increases in SBP and diastolic CBFv without appreciable effects on cognition after 30 days of midodrine administration. Further investigation is needed to identify effective antihypotensive treatment options that not only normalize BP but also improve CBFv and cognition.

Background: Respiratory complications are a leading cause of mortality post spinal cord injury (SCI). Along with breathing, respiratory muscles have a role in maintaining seated balance. Postinjury breathing influences respiratory muscle function. Preliminary evidence indicates a relation between respiratory muscle function and seated balance in people with chronic SCI dwelling in the community, but the relationship between balance and body habitus has not been explored.

Objectives: To explore the relationships among inspiratory muscle function, functional seated balance (FSB), and body habitus in people with SCI.

Methods: A convenience sample of inpatients with SCI (C5-T12) aged 18 to 60 years who were using a wheelchair was recruited from November 2022 to March 2023. Those with additional neurological disorders or respiratory support were excluded. Respiratory muscle function measures included maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), sustained MIP (SMIP), and Fatigue Index Test (FIT). FSB was scored using the Function in Sitting Test (FIST). Body habitus was assessed using the axillary: umbilical (A:U) ratio. Spearman correlations explored the relationships.

Results: Thirty-eight of 42 screened participants were eligible and participated (male, 32). Levels of injury ranged from C5 to T12. The mean (SD) age and duration of injury of the sample was 25.61 (6.68) years and 31.03 (28.69) months, respectively. SMIP and FIT correlated significantly with FSB (r _s= .441, p = .01, and r _s= .434, p = .006, respectively). A significant correlation between SMIP and A:U ratio (r _s= -.330, p = .043) was observed.

Conclusion: We observed a significant correlation between inspiratory pressure parameters and both functional seated balance and body habitus, adding to evidence on postural role of respiratory muscles.

Objectives: To describe lumbar spine (LS) trabecular bone score (TBS) values after SCI, and to explore the differences in fractures risk assessment between FRAX® and TBS-adjusted FRAX® in individuals living with chronic SCI.

Methods: Baseline dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans from an established cohort were acquired using a Hologic Discovery QDR 4500. TBS measurements were performed using the TBS iNsight^TM software version 2.1.2.0. A Welch's t-test was performed to explore differences in TBS, FRAX®, and TBS-adjusted FRAX® between men and women, between participants ≤49 years and ≥50 years, and between subgroups with and without history of fracture and with complete and incomplete injury.

Results: We analyzed 37 scans; the mean TBS was 1.336 ± 0.107. The mean 10-year fracture risk was 8.8% ± 11.4% for major osteoporotic fracture and 4.0% ± 10.8% for hip fracture according to FRAX®, and 6.6% ± 2.8% for major osteoporotic fracture and 2.8% ± 6.7% for hip fractures according to TBS-adjusted FRAX®. The 10-year fracture risk for major osteoporotic fractures was higher in individuals with a prior fragility fracture compared to those without, according to FRAX® (p = .033) and TBS-adjusted FRAX® (p = .001).

Conclusion: Over a half of our sample presented a partially degraded bone microarchitecture based on TBS. TBS was not different between people with motor complete and motor incomplete injury or with and without prior fragility fracture. Future studies are needed to define the clinical relevance of TBS and TBS-adjusted FRAX® in people with chronic SCI.

Background: Insufficient 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels are associated with falls, fractures, and worse overall health outcomes. We evaluated 25(OH)D levels in individuals with spinal cord injury or disorder (SCI/D) during postacute rehabilitation who received vitamin D3 supplementation according to routine clinical practice. Associations with clinical outcomes were also assessed.

Methods: This prospective observational cohort study included individuals aged 18 to 85 years with newly acquired SCI/D admitted for inpatient rehabilitation to a specialized center. The following parameters were collected monthly from admission to discharge as part of the clinical routine: serum 25(OH)D, vitamin D3 supplementation, pressure injuries, bed rest, and falls. 25(OH)D levels were categorized as insufficient (≤75 nmol/L) or sufficient (>75 nmol/L). Descriptive statistics and group comparisons were performed.

Results: Eighty-seven patients (25 [29%] females, median age 53 [IQR 39-67] years) were included and followed for 186 (163-205) days. The proportion of patients with a sufficient 25(OH)D level increased from 8% (95% CI, 3-16) to 61% (95% CI, 50-71) (p < .001). Ninety-two percent of patients received vitamin D3 (1100 [1000-2000] IU/day). No differences in 25(OH)D levels or supplementation doses were found for the occurrence of pressure injuries, bed rest, or falls.

Conclusion: This is the first study to examine 25(OH)D levels and vitamin D3 supplementation during postacute SCI/D rehabilitation. Insufficient 25(OH)D levels were prevalent throughout rehabilitation. For some patients, the doses of vitamin D3 used in current clinical practice may be too low to achieve sufficient 25(OH)D levels. Regular monitoring of 25(OH)D levels and individualized supplementation strategies are warranted.

Objectives: To identify and describe diet and nutrition knowledge measurement tools/items used among adults with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D).

Methods: Conducted a literature search for publications measuring diet/nutrition knowledge using items or tools in persons with SCI/D. Eligible articles were published in 1992-2022, in English, and assessed SCI/D participants' nutrition knowledge. Articles were reviewed for study design, questionnaire validation, sample characteristics, item content, and whether nutrition knowledge was general or SCI/D-specific.

Results: Of 48 articles examined, five were included in the review. None of the nutrition knowledge questionnaires were validated in persons with SCI/D. Only one study assessed nutrition knowledge in nonathletes with chronic SCI/D, and this study excluded individuals with tetraplegia. The other studies either solely recruited athletes (n = 2; one included participants with amputation) or individuals with acute SCI/D (n = 2). Common item topics included calories/energy, sources of micronutrients and macronutrients and their effects on the body, and nutrition literacy. One questionnaire included non-SCI/D-specific nutrition items for persons with disabilities. Only one (unvalidated) questionnaire contained SCI-specific nutrition knowledge items, which only assessed whether more energy, fiber, and water are needed following acute SCI/D.

Conclusion: Studies that assess nutrition knowledge among persons with SCI/D are rare and are typically observational or cross-sectional, with limited information on important SCI/D subgroups. Items relevant to unique needs of persons with SCI/D are sparse. A validated questionnaire that measures knowledge of SCI-specific nutrition, that is relevant to this population, and that can be parceled out by subgroup is needed.