Neurological Level Of Injury Research Articles

Epidemiology features of traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injury in China, Wuhan

Spinal cord injuries are incredibly disabling and can have fatal consequences. At present, there is a lack of available information regarding the epidemiological characteristics of patients who have experienced spinal cord injury (SCI) in China. This retrospective hospital-based study was conducted in the Rehabilitation department of Wuhan’s Tongji Hospital between 2016 and 2022. A total of 649 individuals diagnosed with SCI (both traumatic and non-traumatic) were admitted during this period. Data regarding various epidemiological features were gathered, including sex, age, etiology, occupation, neurological level of injury, the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale at the time of admission, and information on any accompanying injuries. Out of the 649 cases of SCI, there were 539 cases of traumatic SCI and 110 cases of non-traumatic SCI. The mean age at the time of injury was 45.6 ± 14.8 years. The ratio of male to female patients was higher in traumatic SCI at 2.82:1compared to non-traumatic SCI at 1.68:1. Traffic accidents were the most common cause of TSCI, accounting for (n = 207/539; 38.40%) of cases. On the other hand, neoplasm was the most common cause of NTSCI, accounting for (n = 38/110; 34.54%) of cases. The findings indicated a higher proportion of males, with traffic accidents being the main cause of injury among TSCI patients. It is crucial to prioritize the risk of falling among older adults and allocate more attention to this issue. These results emphasize the need for tailored preventive strategies that consider the unique characteristics of different types of SCI patients.

Can the Initial Parameters of Functional Scales Predict Recovery in Patients with Complete Spinal Cord Injury? A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Regaining greater independence in performing daily activities constitutes a priority for people with tetraplegia following spinal cord injury (SCI). The highest expectations are connected with the improvement of hand function. Therefore, it is so important for the clinician to identify reliable and commonly applicable prognostic factors for functional improvement. The aim of this study was to conduct an analysis to assess the impact of initial functional factors on the clinical improvement in patients during early neurological rehabilitation (ENR). This study assessed 38 patients with complete SCI aged 17-78 who underwent ENR in 2012-2022. The analysis included the motor score from the AIS (MS), the Barthel Index (BI) and the SCIM scale values at the beginning of the ENR program and after its completion. During ENR, patients achieved a statistically significant improvement in MS, BI and SCIM. The initial MS and the level of neurological injury constituted the predictors of functional improvement during ENR. Significant statistical relationships were observed primarily in the correlations between the initial MS and BI, and the increase in the analyzed functional scales of SCI patients. Higher initial MS may increase the chances of a greater and faster functional improvement during ENR.

Epidemiology of pain in spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND: The original Pain syndrome in spinal cord injury, which by its nature is one of the most severe and debilitating conditions, can lead to a deterioration in the quality of life, depression, sleep disorders and, as a consequence, a decrease in the results of rehabilitation treatment. This article will present epidemiological data of pain syndrome in spinal cord injury.
 AIM: To study the structure and features of pain syndrome in patients with spinal cord injury.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data on a sample of patients with pain syndrome in spinal cord injury are analyzed (n = 75). The study group was represented by male patients (100%), whose average age was 36 years, undergoing inpatient treatment on the basis of the National Medical Research Center for High Medical Technologies — A.A. Vishnevsky Central Military Clinical Hospital, Ministry of Defense, Russia. The analysis of pain syndrome in this cohort was carried out on 8 indicators at once: neurological level of injury, localization of pain, intensity of pain, motor neurological deficit, degree of damage to the anatomical integrity of the spinal cord, the presence of a neuropathic component, the type of pain syndrome and characteristic pain descriptors.
 RESULTS: According to the classification of pain in spinal cord injury, proposed by an international consensus of clinicians and researchers, the prevalence of various types of pain among the study group was presented as follows: neuropathic — 64%, nociceptive — 32, dysfunctional — 4%. Analyzing various subtypes of neuropathic pain, pain below the injury level dominated — 72%.
 CONCLUSION: The most common and difficult to stop variant in the structure of pain syndrome in patients with spinal cord injury is neuropathic pain.

Exercise and aerobic capacity in individuals with spinal cord injury: A systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression.

A low level of cardiorespiratory fitness [CRF; defined as peak oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]O2peak) or peak power output (PPO)] is a widely reported consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI) and a major risk factor associated with chronic disease. However, CRF can be modified by exercise. This systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression aimed to assess whether certain SCI characteristics and/or specific exercise considerations are moderators of changes in CRF. Databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Web of Science) were searched from inception to March 2023. A primary meta-analysis was conducted including randomised controlled trials (RCTs; exercise interventions lasting >2 weeks relative to control groups). A secondary meta-analysis pooled independent exercise interventions >2 weeks from longitudinal pre-post and RCT studies to explore whether subgroup differences in injury characteristics and/or exercise intervention parameters explained CRF changes. Further analyses included cohort, cross-sectional, and observational study designs. Outcome measures of interest were absolute (A[Formula: see text]O2peak) or relative [Formula: see text]O2peak (R[Formula: see text]O2peak), and/or PPO. Bias/quality was assessed via The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 and the National Institute of Health Quality Assessment Tools. Certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Random effects models were used in all meta-analyses and meta-regressions. Of 21,020 identified records, 120 studies comprising 29 RCTs, 67 pre-post studies, 11 cohort, 7 cross-sectional, and 6 observational studies were included. The primary meta-analysis revealed significant improvements in A[Formula: see text]O2peak [0.16 (0.07, 0.25) L/min], R[Formula: see text]O2peak [2.9 (1.8, 3.9) mL/kg/min], and PPO [9 (5, 14) W] with exercise, relative to controls (p < 0.001). Ninety-six studies (117 independent exercise interventions comprising 1,331 adults with SCI) were included in the secondary, pooled meta-analysis which demonstrated significant increases in A[Formula: see text]O2peak [0.22 (0.17, 0.26) L/min], R[Formula: see text]O2peak [2.8 (2.2, 3.3) mL/kg/min], and PPO [11 (9, 13) W] (p < 0.001) following exercise interventions. There were subgroup differences for R[Formula: see text]O2peak based on exercise modality (p = 0.002) and intervention length (p = 0.01), but there were no differences for A[Formula: see text]O2peak. There were subgroup differences (p ≤ 0.018) for PPO based on time since injury, neurological level of injury, exercise modality, and frequency. The meta-regression found that studies with a higher mean age of participants were associated with smaller changes in A[Formula: see text]O2peak and R[Formula: see text]O2peak (p < 0.10). GRADE indicated a moderate level of certainty in the estimated effect for R[Formula: see text]O2peak, but low levels for A[Formula: see text]O2peak and PPO. This review may be limited by the small number of RCTs, which prevented a subgroup analysis within this specific study design. Our primary meta-analysis confirms that performing exercise >2 weeks results in significant improvements to A[Formula: see text]O2peak, R[Formula: see text]O2peak, and PPO in individuals with SCI. The pooled meta-analysis subgroup comparisons identified that exercise interventions lasting up to 12 weeks yield the greatest change in R[Formula: see text]O2peak. Upper-body aerobic exercise and resistance training also appear the most effective at improving R[Formula: see text]O2peak and PPO. Furthermore, acutely injured, individuals with paraplegia, exercising for ≥3 sessions/week will likely experience the greatest change in PPO. Ageing seemingly diminishes the adaptive CRF responses to exercise training in individuals with SCI. PROSPERO: CRD42018104342.

Translated article] SCIWORA in children. A rare clinical entity: Ambispective study

IntroductionSCIWORA has a low incidence but a high functional repercussion. The aim of the present study was to characterize the epidemiology of this clinical–radiological condition and evaluate functional outcome with a mean of 10-years follow-up. Material and methodsObservational, longitudinal ambispective cohort study. Thirteen SCIWORA patients were admitted in the study period. Demographics, mechanism of injury, spinal cord MRI findings, neurological level of injury, time to SCI, neurological status (AIS) at admission/discharge/5 years, spinal cord independence measure (SCIM III) scale at admission and discharge, hospital length of stay and mean follow-up were recorded. On October 2022 patients were re-evaluated using NDI, Oswestry, and SV-QLI/SCI. ResultsMedian age was 4 years. The study population for this investigation was mostly men (77%). 54% of level of injury correspond to cervical spine. AIS at admission was A (31%) and C (31%). Neurological level of injury was C2 (22%) and T10 (15%). Motor vehicle-related injury was the most prevalent mechanism of injury (77%), SCIM III scale at admission and discharge: 28.5/42, hospital length of stay was 115 days. The NDI was 11.6, Oswestry: 15.3 and SV-QLI/SCI: 17. ConclusionsSeventy-seven percent of SCIWORA patients was detected under 8 years-old. At 1 year follow-up after discharge 31% patients were AIS grade D and with 5 years follow-up the percentage remain constant. No statistically significant differences in the mechanism of injury and MRI findings (P=0.872), age and MRI spinal cord findings (P=0.149) were found in SCIWORA patients.

Guidelines for neuroprognostication in adults with traumatic spinal cord injury

BackgroundTraumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) impacts patients and their families acutely and often for the long term. The ability of clinicians to share prognostic information about mortality and functional outcomes allows patients and their surrogates to engage in decision-making and plan for the future. These guidelines provide recommendations on the reliability of acute-phase clinical predictors to inform neuroprognostication and guide clinicians in counseling adult patients with tSCI or their surrogates.MethodsA narrative systematic review was completed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology. Candidate predictors, including clinical variables and prediction models, were selected based on clinical relevance and presence of an appropriate body of evidence. The Population/Intervention/Comparator/Outcome/Timing/Setting question was framed as “When counseling patients or surrogates of critically ill patients with traumatic spinal cord injury, should < predictor, with time of assessment if appropriate > be considered a reliable predictor of < outcome, with time frame of assessment >?” Additional full-text screening criteria were used to exclude small and lower quality studies. Following construction of an evidence profile and summary of findings, recommendations were based on four Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria: quality of evidence, balance of desirable and undesirable consequences, values and preferences, and resource use. Good practice recommendations addressed essential principles of neuroprognostication that could not be framed in the Population/Intervention/Comparator/Outcome/Timing/Setting format. Throughout the guideline development process, an individual living with tSCI provided perspective on patient-centered priorities.ResultsSix candidate clinical variables and one prediction model were selected. Out of 11,132 articles screened, 369 met inclusion criteria for full-text review and 35 articles met eligibility criteria to guide recommendations. We recommend pathologic findings on magnetic resonance imaging, neurological level of injury, and severity of injury as moderately reliable predictors of American Spinal Cord Injury Impairment Scale improvement and the Dutch Clinical Prediction Rule as a moderately reliable prediction model of independent ambulation at 1 year after injury. No other reliable or moderately reliable predictors of mortality or functional outcome were identified. Good practice recommendations include considering the complete clinical condition as opposed to a single variable and communicating the challenges of likely functional deficits as well as potential for improvement and for long-term quality of life with SCI-related deficits to patients and surrogates.ConclusionsThese guidelines provide recommendations about the reliability of acute-phase predictors of mortality, functional outcome, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grade conversion, and recovery of independent ambulation for consideration when counseling patients with tSCI or their surrogates and suggest broad principles of neuroprognostication in this context.

The impact of time from injury to surgery on the risk of neuropathic pain after traumatic spinal cord injury

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurological disorder often accompanied by neuropathic pain (NeP), significantly affecting patients' quality of life. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the impact of the time from injury to surgery on the development of NeP following traumatic SCI. Medical records of patients with traumatic SCI who underwent surgical intervention between January 2017 and January 2021 at two specialized centers were reviewed. Variables associated with NeP including demographics, injury profiles, medical history, surgical details, and pain assessments were investigated. Independent risk factors related to NeP were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis. A total of 320 patients met the inclusion criteria, with 245 (76.6%) being male and a mean age of 56.5 ± 13.2 years. NeP was identified in 48.4% of patients (155 of 320). The multivariate analysis identifies age at injury, Injury Severity Score, and the neurological level of injury as independent risk factors for the development of NeP in both AIS A and AIS B, C, and D subgroups. Additionally, a significant association between the time from injury to surgery and NeP was observed in AIS B, C, and D patients, while no such association was found in AIS A patients. This study highlights the benefits of early and ultra-early surgical intervention in preventing NeP in patients with incomplete traumatic SCI (AIS B, C, and D), underscoring the importance of optimizing surgical timing to improve patient outcomes. Prospective studies are warranted to establish evidence-based surgical guidelines for managing traumatic SCI and preventing NeP effectively.

Epidemiology and Assessment of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury With Concomitant Brain Injury: An Observational Study in a Regional Trauma Center.

: To analyze the epidemiological information of patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) and concomitant traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to suggest points to be aware of during the initial physical examination of patients with SCI. : This study was a retrospective, observational study conducted in a regional trauma center. All the records of patients diagnosed with traumatic SCI between 2016 and 2020 were reviewed. A total of 627 patients with confirmed traumatic SCI were hospitalized. A retrospective study was conducted on 363 individuals. : The epidemiological data of 363 individuals were investigated. Changes in American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) scores in patients with SCI were evaluated. The initial evaluation was performed on average 11 days after the injury, and a follow-up examination was performed 43 days after. Fourteen of the 24 patients identified as having AIS A and SCI with concomitant TBI in the initial evaluation showed neurologic level of injury (NLI) recovery with AIS B or more. The conversion rate in patients with SCI and concomitant TBI exceeded that reported in previous studies in individuals with SCI. : Physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments caused by TBI present significant challenges in rehabilitating patients with SCI. In this study, the influence of concomitant TBI lesions could have caused the initial AIS assessment to be incorrect.

Validation of a New Tool to Detect and Characterize Spinal Cord Injury in the Acute Trauma Patient: The Montreal Acute Classification of Spinal Cord Injury.

Retrospective validation protocol. The International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) is the most comprehensive tool for classifying spinal cord injuries (SCI), but it is not adapted for the evaluation of trauma patients. The objective is to develop and validate a streamlined tool, the Montreal Acute Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (MAC-SCI) that can be integrated in the evaluation of trauma patients to detect and characterize traumatic SCI (tSCI). The completion rate of the ISCNSCI during initial evaluation after tSCI was estimated at a Level-1 trauma center specialized in SCI care. Using a modified Delphi technique, we designed the MAC-SCI, a new tool to detect and characterize the severity grade and level of SCI in the polytrauma patient. A cohort consisting of 35 consecutive tSCI patients with complete ISNCSCI documentation was used to validate the MAC-SCI. The severity grade and neurological level of injury (NLI) were assessed using the MAC-SCI, and compared to those obtained with the ISNCSCI. Only 33% of 148 patients admitted after a tSCI had a complete ISNCSCI performed at initial presentation. The MAC-SCI retains 53 of the 134 elements from the ISNCSCI. There was a 100% concordance in severity grade between the MAC-SCI and ISNCSCI. The NLI were within 2 levels between the MAC-SCI and ISNCSI for 100% of patients. The MAC-SCI is a streamlined tool that accurately detects and characterizes tSCI in the acute trauma setting. It could be implemented in trauma protocols to guide the management of SCI patients. Level III Diagnostic criteria.

Incidence and risk factors of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism after spinal cord disease at a rehabilitation unit: a retrospective study.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) are major complications of spinal cord disease. However, studies of their incidence in Korean patients are limited. Thus, this study investigated the incidence and risk factors of DVT and PTE in Korean patients with spinal cord disease. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 271 patients with spinal cord disease who were admitted to a rehabilitation unit within 3 months of disease onset at a tertiary hospital. The presence of DVT and PTE was mainly determined using Doppler ultrasonography and chest embolism computed tomography. Risk factor analysis included variables such as sex, age, obesity, completeness of motor paralysis, neurological level of injury, cause of injury, lower extremity fracture, active cancer, and functional ambulation category (FAC) score. The incidences of DVT and PTE in the patients with spinal cord disease were both 6.3%. Risk factor analysis revealed that age of ≥65 years (p=0.031) and FAC score of ≤1 (p=0.023) were significantly associated with DVT development. Traumatic cause of injury (p=0.028) and DVT (p<0.001) were significant risk factors of PTE. Patients with spinal cord disease developed DVT and PTE within 3 months of disease onset with incidence rates of 6.3% and 6.3%, respectively. Age of ≥65 years and an FAC of score ≤1 were risk factors for DVT. Traumatic cause of injury and DVT were risk factors for PTE. However, given the inconsistent results of previous studies, the risk factors for DVT and PTE remain inconclusive. Therefore, early screening for DVT and PTE should be performed in patients with acute-to-subacute spinal cord disease regardless of the presence or absence of these risk factors.

Acute assessment of spinal cord injury in New South Wales: A retrospective study of current practice in two spinal cord injury referral centers

Introduction Interventions provided in the early phases after spinal cord injury (SCI) may improve neurological recovery and provide for best possible functional outcomes. Knowing this relies on early and clear documentation of the level and grade of the spinal cord injury. Guidelines advocate for early documentation of neurological status within 72 h of injury to allow early prognostication and to help guide initial management. It is unclear whether this is current practice in New South Wales (NSW). Methods Patients with acute SCI who were admitted to two SCI referral centers during 2018–2019 in NSW were included. Data relating to documentation of neurological status, timing of imaging, surgery and transfer to spinal cord injury center were collected and summarized using descriptive statistics. Results Only 18 percent of patients had an acceptable neurological examination according to the International Standards for Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) within 72 h of injury (either not done, or unable to determine the neurological level of injury). At the first neurological examination, the neurological level of injury and grade was unable to be determined in 26.8% of patients and 29.9% of patients respectively. At discharge from acute care and transfer to rehabilitation, the neurological level was undetermined in 28.9% of patients and grade undetermined in 26.8%. ISNCSCI examination was most commonly performed by spinal rehabilitation doctors after patients were discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU). Conclusions Documentation of neurological level and grade of SCI within 72 h of injury is not being performed in the large majority of this cohort, which may impede evaluation of neurological improvement in response to acute treatment, and hinder prognostication.

Autonomic dysreflexia: Current pharmacologic management.

Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a frequent complication of spinal cord injury (SCI), though current clinical practice patterns for medication management of this condition are unknown. Correspondingly, it is unclear if national differences in practice patterns exist. To determine trends in current pharmacologic management of AD throughout the Americas. International survey of current physician practice patterns. Academic medical center. Sixty physicians managing patients with SCI and prescribing medications to manage AD. Not applicable. Presence of a formal pharmacologic AD management protocol, first- and second-line medications, patient characteristics influencing pharmacologic management. The majority of physicians (69%) had a formal AD management protocol for inpatient care, with nitroglycerin ointment (82%) being the most common first-line medication. Strong national differences existed regarding the use of nitroglycerin ointment, with 98% of U.S.-based physicians using this as first-line medication and 0% of physicians in Canada or Latin America using this due to recent lack of medication availability. Only 67% of physicians had a preferred second-line medication, with preferences split between hydralazine (48%) and nifedipine (28%). A systolic blood pressure threshold for pharmacologic management was used by 56% of physicians, wheres 26% considered neurological level of injury in decisions to use medications for AD. Heart rate was used by only 5% of physicians in their decision to manage AD with medications. As of 2023, U.S.-based physicians caring for individuals with SCI largely have formal inpatient protocols in place for medication management of AD, with nearly all relying on nitroglycerin ointment as their first-line medication. In areas outside of the United States where nitroglycerin ointment is unavailable, pharmacologic practice patterns significantly differ.

SCIWORA. Una rara entidad clínica en la población pediátrica. Estudio ambispectivo

IntroductionSCIWORA has a low incidence but a high functional repercussion. The aim of the present study was to characterize the epidemiology of this clinical-radiological condition and evaluate functional outcome with a mean of 10-years follow-up. Material and methodsObservational, longitudinal ambispective cohort study. Thirteen SCIWORA patients were admitted in the study period. Demographics, mechanism of injury, spinal cord MRI findings, neurological level of injury, time to SCI, neurological status (AIS) at admission/discharge/5 years, spinal cord independence measure (SCIM III) scale at admission and discharge, hospital length of stay and mean follow-up were recorded. On October 2022 patients were re-evaluated using NDI, Oswestry, and SV-QLI/SCI. ResultsMedian age was 4 years. The study population for this investigation was mostly men (77%). 54% of level of injury correspond to cervical spine. AIS at admission was A (31%) and C (31%). Neurological level of injury was C2 (22%) and T10 (15%). Motor vehicle-related injury was the most prevalent mechanism of injury (77%), SCIM III scale at admission and discharge: 28.5/42, hospital length of stay was 115 days. The NDI was 11.6, Oswestry: 15.3 and SV-QLI/SCI: 17. ConclusionsSeventy-seven percent of SCIWORA patients was detected under 8 years-old. At 1 year follow-up after discharge 31% patients were AIS grade D and with 5 years follow-up the percentage remain constant. No statistically significant differences in the mechanism of injury and MRI findings (P = 0.872), age and MRI spinal cord findings (P = 0.149) were found in SCIWORA patients.

Post Doc Competition (Knowledge Generation) ID 1987817

Background Individuals with a neurologic level of injury (NLI) C1-T10 have an UMN bowel and propensity for external anal sphincter spasm and need chemical/mechanical stimuli to evacuate their bowels versus those with an NLI T11-S5 and LMN bowel whom have a patulous sphincter and complete manual bowel disimpaction. We describe the associations between independence in sphincter control for 5 years following discharge among individuals with traumatic SCI (tSCI). Methods Adults with tSCI (n=113, 80 men) whom completed baseline, 1, 2, and 5-year community follow-up interviews (2014-2021) were included. Responses to the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM-III) Sphincter Control and Respiration subscores were extracted. Participants were separated into UMN and LMN groups. A linear mixed model determined longitudinal differences in SCIM subscores. NLI and follow-up time points were assigned as fixed effects, age a random effect, and sex as a covariate. Observed differences were compared to the minimal clinically importance difference (MCID) in SCIM-III subscores. Results The mean difference in SCIM-III subscores was 4.85 between the UMN and LMN bowel groups, with UMN group scoring lower at all-time points (p≤0.017). The mean group difference was equal to the MCID, constituting a substantial meaningful difference. No differences in SCIM subscores were noted across time (p≥0.9), regardless of NLI or bowel impairment. Conclusion Self-reported sphincter control remains stable for 5 years post-injury, emphasizing the need to maximizing bowel independence before discharge. Individuals with UMN bowel have lower sphincter control scores than individuals with a LMN bowel.

Student Competition (Knowledge Generation) ID 1984770

Background Following a traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI), patients prioritize being able to manage their bowels independently. A reduction of independence can impact an individual’s quality of life. The current study investigates the relationships between sphincter control, level of independence and quality of life. We hypothesized that sphincter control would relate strongly to levels of independence and quality of life. Methods Adults with tSCI who consented to participate in the Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry at the Lyndhurst Rehabilitation Centre completed community follow-up interviews from 2014-2021. Data was collected at baseline, year 1, 2 and 5 (n = 330). Descriptive data and neurological level of injury (NLI) were collected, along with the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSAT-11), 36-item Short Form Survey Quality of Life measures (SF-36v2) and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure III (SCIM). Separate analyses were conducted for NLI C1-T10 (upper motor neuron [UMN] [n=280]), and T11-S5 (lower motor neuron [LMN] [n=50]). Associations between sphincter management and life satisfaction were calculated using Spearman’s correlation coefficient, adjusted for age and sex. Results SCIM had a moderate, yet significant relationship with LiSAT-11 (r2=0.48, p&amp;lt;0.001) for LMN, but no relationship for UMN (r2= 0.17, p&amp;lt;0.001). A weak relationship was observed between SCIM and SF-36v2 for LMN (r2=0.30, p=0.014) but no relationship for UMN (r2=0.01, p=0.59). Conclusion Sphincter management scores after rehabilitation discharge are not a strong predictor of life satisfaction following tSCI suggesting that a multifaceted approach is required to assess an individuals’ quality of life post tSCI.

D-dimer/fibrinogen ratio for the prediction of deep venous thrombosis after traumatic spinal cord injury.

Retrospective cohort study. To evaluate the predictive value of D-dimer/fibrinogen (D/F) ratio for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University. SCI patients within 24 h of trauma were consecutively enrolled. DVT was diagnosed by DUS examination during hospitalization. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between D/F ratio and DVT. Stratified logistic regression analysis was performed to identify effect modifiers. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was conducted to assess the predictive value of D/F ratio. A total of 284 patients with SCI were included, of whom 106 (37.3%) developed DVT. D/F ratio was positively correlated with DVT (OR 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.31, p = 0.009). Patients in the upper D/F ratio tertile (3.15-18.27) had a higher risk of DVT than patients in the lower tertile (0.08-0.97) after adjustment for potential confounders (OR 6.01, 95% CI 2.24-16.15, p < 0.001). The risk of DVT increased stepwise across D/F ratio tertiles (p for trend = 0.003). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.758 (95% CI 0.704-0.806). There was a significant interaction between D/F ratio and neurological level of injury (p for interaction = 0.003) and the association between D/F ratio and DVT remained significant only in patients with cervical injury. A higher D/F ratio was independently associated with a higher risk of DVT in a dose-dependent manner in patients with cervical SCI.

Six months of aerobic exercise training does not prevent a worsening of glucose tolerance in individuals with acute spinal cord injury

Individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) have a greater incidence of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) than their non-injured peers. The increased incidence of T2D has been noted in individuals within the first few years after injury, and incidence increases with time since injury. Aerobic exercise training improves long-term glycemic control in non-injured individuals and results in improved glycemic control in individuals with chronic SCI (&gt;10 years). However, it is unknown whether individuals with acute injuries (&lt;3 years) display altered glucose control, and if aerobic training may prevent worsening of glucose control and T2D. Therefore, we assessed blood glucose regulation in individuals &lt;3 years post SCI injury. Glucose regulation was assessed through fasting blood glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). In addition, body composition was estimated via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. These assessments were made prior to, and following 3- and 6-months (mo) of aerobic exercise training consisting of hybrid functional electrical stimulation rowing. Data were analyzed with 1-way RMANOVA. Eight individuals (1F, 7M, age 20-45 years) with SCI 9-27 mo post-injury and a neurological level of injury from spinal cord segments C3 to T3 were enrolled. Individuals exercised for 30min per session, at ~60% VO2peak, 2-3 times per week. Fasting glucose (Pre:85±9, 3m:88±8, 6m:86±2 mg/dL, p=0.55), insulin (Pre:6.0±3.8, 3m:5.7±2.5, 6m:3.9±2.5 uIU/mL, p=0.25), HbA1C (Pre:4.9±0.3, 3m:5.0±0.3, 6m:4.8±0.1%, p=0.73) and HOMA-IR (Pre:1.4±1.0, 3m:1.2±0.7, 6m:0.7±0.4, p=0.26) did not change after 6-mo of training. In contrast, the dynamic assessment of glucose tolerance (OGTT) showed dramatic worsening (AUC Pre:15.7±3.8, 3m:17.8±5.9, 6m:17.6±5.8 units, p=0.04) from pre-exercise to 3-mo. Moreover, following 6-mo of exercise training, 1 individual met the diagnostic criteria for impaired glucose tolerance and another 2 for diabetes. Exercise training did not change visceral adipose mass (Pre:1.4±0.9, 3m:1.4±1.2, 6m:1.3±1.2 kg, p=0.96) or total body lean mass (Pre:50.4±9.5, 3m:49.6±9.6, 6m:49.5±9.5kg, p=0.98). These results suggest that fasting measures alone are not sensitive enough in detecting impairments in glucose metabolism in the acute period following a SCI. Interestingly, in people with SCI, whole-body aerobic exercise does not prevent the occurrence of impaired glucose metabolism. The worsening of glucose tolerance occurs despite a conservation of lean mass and no increase in visceral adiposity. It will be of importance to determine the mechanisms underlying the worsening of glycemic control and develop therapies to prevent metabolic disease in SCI. R01 HL117037, F32 HL156675 This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Exoskeleton-based training improves walking independence in incomplete spinal cord injury patients: results from a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundIn recent years, ambulatory lower limb exoskeletons are being gradually introduced into the clinical practice to complement walking rehabilitation programs. However, the clinical evidence of the outcomes attained with these devices is still limited and nonconclusive. Furthermore, the user-to-robot adaptation mechanisms responsible for functional improvement are still not adequately unveiled. This study aimed to (1) assess the safety and feasibility of using the HANK exoskeleton for walking rehabilitation, and (2) investigate the effects on walking function after a training program with it.MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted including a cohort of 23 patients with less than 1 year since injury, neurological level of injury (C2-L4) and severity (American Spinal Cord Injury Association Impairment Scale [AIS] C or D). The intervention was comprised of 15 one-hour gait training sessions with lower limb exoskeleton HANK. Safety was assessed through monitoring of adverse events, and pain and fatigue through a Visual Analogue Scale. LEMS, WISCI-II, and SCIM-III scales were assessed, along with the 10MWT, 6MWT, and the TUG walking tests (see text for acronyms).ResultsNo major adverse events were reported. Participants in the intervention group (IG) reported 1.8 cm (SD 1.0) for pain and 3.8 (SD 1.7) for fatigue using the VAS. Statistically significant differences were observed for the WISCI-II for both the “group” factor (F = 16.75, p < 0.001) and “group-time” interactions (F = 8.87; p < 0.01). A post-hoc analysis revealed a statistically significant increase of 3.54 points (SD 2.65, p < 0.0001) after intervention for the IG but not in the CG (0.7 points, SD 1.49, p = 0.285). No statistical differences were observed between groups for the remaining variables.ConclusionsThe use of HANK exoskeleton in clinical settings is safe and well-tolerated by the patients. Patients receiving treatment with the exoskeleton improved their walking independence as measured by the WISCI-II after the treatment.

One-stage tracheostomy during surgery reduced early pulmonary infection and mechanical ventilation length in complete CSCI patients.

Complete cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) is a devastating injury that usually requires surgical treatment. Tracheostomy is an important supportive therapy for these patients. To evaluate the effectiveness of early one-stage tracheostomy during surgery compared with necessary tracheostomy after surgery, and to identify clinical factors for one-stage tracheostomy during surgery in complete cervical spinal cord injury. Data from 41 patients with complete CSCI treated with surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Ten patients (24.4%) underwent one-stage tracheostomy during surgery, thirteen (31.7%) underwent tracheostomy when necessary after surgery, and eighteen (43.9%) did not have a tracheostomy. One-stage tracheostomy during surgery significantly reduced the development of pneumonia at 7 days after tracheostomy (p = 0.025), increased the PaO2 (p < 0.05), and decreased the length of mechanical ventilation (p = 0.005), length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit (ICU) (p = 0.002), hospital LOS (p = 0.01) and hospitalization expenses compared with necessary tracheostomy after surgery (p = 0.037). A high neurological level of injury (NLI) (NLI C5 and above), a high PaCO2 in the blood gas analysis before tracheostomy, severe breathing difficulty, and excessive pulmonary secretions were the statistically significant factors for one-stage tracheostomy during surgery in the complete CSCI patients, but no independent clinical factor was found. In conclusion, one-stage tracheostomy during surgery reduced the number of early pulmonary infections and the length of mechanical ventilation, ICU LOS, hospital LOS and hospitalization expenses, and one-stage tracheostomy should be considered when managing complete CSCI patients by surgical treatment.

Sacral interface pressure can be alleviated by repositioning with a small-angle change using an automated bed in patients with spinal cord injury

Aim of the studyThis study aimed to compare interface pressure and total contact area of the sacral region in different positions, including small-angle changes, in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Furthermore, we analyzed the clinical factors influencing pressure to identify the pressure injury (PI) high-risk group. Materials and methodsAn intervention was conducted for patients with paraplegia (n = 30) with SCI. In the first and second trials, interface pressure and total contact area of the sacral region were recorded from large- and small-angled positions using the automatic repositioning bed, which can change the angle of the back, lateral tilt, and knee. ResultsPositions with back raised ≥45° showed significantly higher pressure on the sacrum than most other positions. The pressure and contact area differences were statistically insignificant for combinations of small-angled changes <30°.Additionally, the duration of injury (β = 0.51, p = 0.010) and neurological level of injury (NLI) (β = −0.47, p = 0.020) were significant independent predictors of average pressure. Similarly, the duration of injury (β = 0.64, p = 0.001), the Korean version of the spinal cord independence measure-III (β = −0.52, p = 0.017), and body mass index (BMI; β = −0.34, p = 0.041) were significant independent predictors of peak pressure. ConclusionsFor repositioning, combinations of small-angle changes <30° effectively reduce pressure on the sacral region in patients with SCI. Lower BMI, longer duration of injury, lower functioning score, and NLI ≥ T7 are predictors of high sacral pressures, which increase the risk for PI. Therefore, patients with these predictors require strict management.