Abstract
Study designA cross-sectional study.ObjectivesTo explore the prevalence of comorbidities, secondary health conditions (SHCs), and multimorbidity in the Finnish population with spinal cord injury (SCI).SettingThe data were collected from the Finnish Spinal Cord Injury Study (FinSCI). Participants were identified from three SCI outpatient clinics responsible for the lifelong follow-up of persons with SCI in Finland, (n = 884 participants, response rate; 50%).MethodsThe FinSCI-questionnaire included a question from the National Study of Health, Well-being, and Service (FinSote) for screening 12 comorbidities. The reference data of the general population for that question were received from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. The Spinal Cord Injury Secondary Condition Scale (SCI-SCS) was used to screen 16 SHCs. The data were analysed with univariate testing and multivariable negative binomial regression modelling.ResultsThe most common comorbidities were high blood pressure/hypertension (38%), back problems (28%), and high cholesterol (22%). The most common SHCs were joint and muscle pain (81%), muscle spasms (74%), chronic pain (71%), and bowel problems (71%). The prevalence of comorbidities was highest among persons aged ≥76 years (mean; 2.0; scale range; 0–12). The prevalence of SHCs was highest in the severity of SCI group C1–4 AIS A, B, and C (mean; 8.9; scale range; 0–16).ConclusionsFurther research on geriatrics in SCI, non-traumatic SCI, and knowledge of the needs of persons with cervical lesion AIS A, B, or C is required, due to the fact that the prevalence of multimorbidity is high in these groups.
Highlights
Persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) can experience several comorbidities and secondary health conditions (SHCs) after SCI
Outcome measures A questionnaire from the National Survey of Health, Well-being, and Service (FinSote) was applied to screen 12 comorbidities [13] and the Spinal Cord Injury Secondary Condition Scale (SCI-SCS) was used to screen 16 SHCs [14]
FinSote and SCI-SCS are self-reported outcome measures in which the data are collected from patients/persons who are living with their health
Summary
Persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) can experience several comorbidities and secondary health conditions (SHCs) after SCI. The word “comorbidity” refers to the presence of an additional disease in relation to an index disease in one person [1], whereas a “secondary health condition” is a health problem that is either a direct result of the impairment (like SCI) or an indirect factor that is related to the impairment [2]. Terms are differentiated in order to clarify the interpretation of the results, and with the word “comorbidity” we refer to a disease that is treated or diagnosed by a physician. Persons with SCI can suffer from ≥2 comorbidities and/or SHCs simultaneously, which is known as a multimorbidity [1]. Based on a recent study, age and lesion characteristics had effects on multimorbidity in the analyses of 15 different SHCs [5]
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