Comparison of Spinal Cord Injury Patient Characteristics in Male and Female Veterans

Abstract

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To expand the understanding of gender differences in the spinal cord injury and disorders (SCI/D) population served by a local Veterans Affairs rehabilitation hospital <h3>Design</h3> Retrospective comparative analysis. <h3>Setting</h3> The Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) Spinal Cord Injuries & Disorders (SCI/D) System of Care, which provides inpatient and outpatient SCI/D-related care for veterans. <h3>Participants</h3> 1617 (6% female; 67% white) veterans who were treated at the VAPAHCS SCI/D since 2013, 816 of whom have annual exams and are considered active patients. <h3>Interventions</h3> No intervention was involved as part of this study. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Patient's care encounters as measured by annual visits, demographics, diagnoses, level of injury, functional control, ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) Score, etiology of SCI/D. <h3>Results</h3> Of all 1617 seen by VAPAHCS for SCI/D, 816 have returned for annual visits (50.4%; 50.2% among males; 53.8% among females). Among all SCI/D patients, women were younger, more likely to live out of state, and were less likely to have passed away (11% vs. 32%; p = .04). Among active SCI/D patients, women were more likely to be treated for non-traumatic SCI/D (66% vs. 35%; p < .001) and had a higher prevalence of multiple sclerosis (42% vs. 10%; p < .001). Missing data rates were greater for women for level of functionality (48% vs. 16%; p < .001) and neurological level of injury (48% vs. 6%; p < .001). <h3>Conclusions</h3> This analysis highlights several gender differences in SCI/D patients in a rehabilitation Veterans Affairs Hospital in age, residence, vital status, and SCI etiology. Higher missing data rates in female patients may lead to an incomplete understanding of the clinical characteristics and needs of female patients, resulting in complications in resources and funding. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> No author disclosures to declare.