Healthcare utilization following spinal cord injury: Objective findings from a regional hospital registry

Objective: The purpose was to describe the prevalence and characteristics of healthcare utilization among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) from a Level I trauma center.

Design: Retrospective data analysis utilizing a local acute trauma registry for initial hospitalization and merged with the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council registry to obtain subsequent health care utilization in the first post-injury year.

Setting: Dallas, TX, USA.

Participants: Six hundred and sixty four patients were admitted with an acute traumatic SCI from January 2003 through June 2014 to a Level I trauma center. Fifty five patients that expired during initial hospitalization and 18 patients with unspecified SCI (defined by ICD-9 with no etiology or level of injury specified) were not included in the analysis, leaving a final sample of 591.

Outcome Measures: Data included demographic and clinical characteristics, charges, and healthcare utilization.

Results: Mean age was 46.1?years (±18.9?years), the majority of patients were male (74%), and Caucasian (58%). Of the 591 patients, 345 (58%) had additional inpatient or emergency healthcare utilization accounting for 769 additional visits (median of 3 visits per person). Of the 769 encounters, 534 (69%) were inpatient and 235 (31%) were emergency visits not resulting in an admission. The most prevalent ICD-9 codes listed were pressure ulcer, neurogenic bowel, neurogenic bladder, urinary tract infection, fluid electrolyte imbalance, hypertension, and tobacco use.

Conclusion: Individuals with SCI experience high levels of healthcare utilization which are costly and may be preventable. Increasing our understanding of the prevalence and causes for healthcare utilization after acute SCI is important to target preventive strategies.     

脊髓损伤大鼠的阴茎海绵体肌电图研究

目的探讨海绵体肌电图诊断脊髓性勃起功能障碍的价值。方法将24只成年雄性SD大鼠(300～400 g)分成:对照组、T9和L6损伤组(每组8只)。损伤脊髓1周后,用肌电图仪采集注射阿朴吗啡前后阴茎肌电数据,采集频率20～3 000 Hz、扫描速度5 ms／d、灵敏度10 μV／d。用t检验方法分析统计数据。结果对照组使用阿朴吗啡10 min均方根振幅为(5．60±0．89)μV, 大于T9损伤组(3．60±1．14)μV(P<0．05);使用阿朴吗啡前、使用后5 min和10 min高／低功率比均为0．05±0．03,小于L6损伤组0．13±0．04、0．15±0．07、0．13±0．07(P<0．05)。T9损伤组使用阿朴吗啡后5 min和10 min平均频率分别为(122．40±47．99)、(151．80±76．42)Hz,较L6损伤组(278．83±118．66)、(265．00±81．35)Hz低(P<0．05)。结论海绵体肌电图对脊髓性勃起功能障碍有诊断价值。     

Current practices and goals for mean arterial pressure and spinal cord perfusion pressure in acute traumatic spinal cord injury: Defining the gaps in knowledge

Context: The mainstay of treatment for acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is to artificially elevate the patient’s mean arterial pressure (MAP) to >85 mmHg to increase blood flow to the injured spinal cord for 7 days. However, the literature supporting these recommendations are only Class III evidence. In fact, the critical time window in which to elevate MAP after SCI and the optimal vasopressor to use are largely unknown, as is whether cerebrospinal fluid diversion has a role, and this leads to variability among practitioners. Also undefined is whether manipulating these parameters improves neurological outcome.Objective: Our goal is to better delineate current clinical practice and identify gaps in knowledge surrounding the care of patients with traumatic SCI.Methods: We undertook a systematic review of the current literature identified from PubMed on MAP elevation and spinal cord parenchymal pressure in acute SCI.Results: The 8 articles (6 human; 2 porcine) that met our inclusion criteria were all published within the last 6 years. Four were prospective, 1 was retrospective, and 3 were review articles. Only one study was randomized. All of these studies involved small sample sizes and varying lengths of MAP elevation. Choice of vasopressor was variable as well.Conclusions: From our literature review, we posit that norepinephrine may be the vasopressor of choice, that spinal parenchymal pressure monitors can be safely placed at the injury site, and that the combination of MAP elevation and cerebrospinal fluid drainage may improve neurologic outcome more than either intervention alone.     

Complementary and alternative medicine in men’s health

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for the management of urologic disease is increasing worldwide. Meanwhile, with the aging of populations, men’s health is becoming an important issue. Numerous dietary and phytotherapeutic agents have been used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, and sexual dysfunction. Despite increasing evidence, the exact mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety of CAM are currently unknown. Most CAM studies have been criticized due to flaws in methodology and small sample sizes. Considering these circumstances, it is important for urologists to become knowledgeable about the scientific evidence for CAM. This article reviews the effects of CAM on men’s health, focusing on clinical evidence. We conclude that, when performed properly, CAM is beneficial in improving men’s health and well-being.     

Low-frequency fatigue in individuals with spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: This study examined magnitude and recovery of low-frequency fatigue (LFF) in the quadriceps after electrically stimulated contractions in spinal cord-injured (SCI) and able-bodied subjects. SUBJECTS: Nine SCI (ASIA A-C, levels C5-T9, injured 13.6 +/- 12.2 years) and 9 sedentary able-bodied subjects completed this study. METHODS: Fatigue was evoked in 1 thigh, and the nonfatigued leg served as a control. The fatigue test for able-bodied subjects lasted 15 minutes. For SCI, stimulation was adjusted so that the relative drop in force was matched to the able-bodied group. Force was assessed at 20 (P20) and 100 Hz (P100), and the ratio of P20/P100 was used to evaluate LFF in thighs immediately after, at 10, 20, and 60 minutes, and at 2, 4, 6, and 24 hours after a fatigue test. RESULTS: The magnitude of LFF (up to 1 hour after fatigue) was not different between able-bodied and patients with SCI. However, recovery of LFF over 24 hours was greater in able-bodied compared with patients with SCI in both the experimental (P < 0.001) and control legs (P < 0.001). The able-bodied group showed a gradual recovery of LFF over time in the experimental leg, whereas the SCI group did not. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that individuals with SCI are more susceptible to LFF than able-bodied subjects. In SCI, simply assessing LFF produced considerable LFF and accounted for a substantial portion of the response. We propose that muscle injury is causing the dramatic LFF in SCI, and future studies are needed to test whether "fatigue" in SCI is actually confounded by the effects of muscle injury.     

脊髓损伤的MR表现

研究脊髓损伤的MR表现。采用GESigna0．5T超导型磁共振检查机，用脊柱表面线圈，对55例脊柱创伤病人做MR检查。所有病例做轮位和矢状位检查，用自旋回波序列和快速自旋回波序列。脊髓损伤表现为脊髓水肿23例次（41．8％），髓内出血10例次（18．1％），脊髓不完全性和完全性断裂7例次（12．7％），椎间盘值22例次（364％），脊柱韧带断裂30例次（545％）。脊髓损伤多见于爆裂型和骨折脱位型脊柱骨折。MR是脊髓损伤最有效的检查方法，MR对发现和评估脊髓损伤优于CT扫描。     

TRH对大鼠脊髓损伤后SCBF和SEP的影响

脊髓损伤（ＳＣＩ）后内源性阿片肽释放，并参与脊髓的继发损伤机制。ＴＲＨ可阻断阿片肽的自主神经效应，而不影响痛觉。本实验探讨大剂量ＴＲＨ（２ｍｇ／ｋｇ／ｈ）治疗对大鼠脊髓打击伤（Ａｌｌｅｎｓ法１０ｇｘ５ｃｍ）后脊髓血流量（ＳＣＢＦ）和脊髓诱发电位（ＳＥＰ）的影响。脊髓损伤后１ｈ，ＳＣＢＦ开始显著下降，持续至伤后２４ｈ，ＳＥＰ峰潜时呈进行性延长趋势；伤后即刻静脉注射ＴＲＨ（２ｍｇ／ｋｇ／ｈ，共５次），可使伤后即刻和２４ｈ的ＳＣＢＦ显著升高，并使伤后ＳＣＢＦ下降时间延迟３ｈ，同时ＳＥＰ峰潜时有不同程度改善。结果表明，ＴＲＨ对受伤脊髓早期有一定的防治作用，并具有一定的后发效应；同时也可促进脊髓的神经传导功能。本文亦对ＴＲＨ治疗ＳＣＩ的病理生物学机制进行了讨论。     

脊髓损伤后的高凝状态

目的:观察脊髓损伤患者凝血系统的变化。方法:以20例符合条件的脊髓损伤病人为研究对象,分别于伤后2~6h、伤后1、3、5d采集病人股静脉血,测定血浆凝血酶抗凝血酶Ⅲ复合物(TAT)、凝血酶原片段1 2(F1 2)和D-二聚体(D-dimer)浓度;同时测定20名健康献血员TAT、F1 2、D-dimer血浆浓度作为正常对照。结果:正常对照组TAT、F1 2和D-dimer血浆浓度分别为3.1±0.9ng/ml、0.9±0.2nmol/l和42.6±9.3ng/ml。20例脊髓损伤病人伤后2~6hTAT、F1 2、D-dimer血浆浓度即显著增高(P<0.05),分别达45.3±14.2ng/ml、4.1±0.7nmol/l和136.2±14.3ng/ml,伤后1、2d内仍明显高于对照组,伤后3、4d趋于正常。结论:脊髓损伤后可激活凝血系统,造成高凝状态,这种高凝状态于伤后数小时即可发生,且持续存在2~3d。     

脊髓损伤后血流改变

选用成年狗１０只，于胸９－０给以２０ｇ×２５ｃｍ打击量，应用氢清除法于伤后１５ｍｉｎ～４ｂ测定脊髓血流量（ＳＣＢＦ）。结果显示伤后不同时期灰质血流量均较白质血流量（ｗＳＣＢＦ）为高，近侧节较远侧节亦高，伤后２ｈ，ｗＳＣＢＦ稍升高，但４ｈ恢复正常。作者认为，伤后头几个小时为关键时刻，此时如能采用有效措施，对不全瘫还能逆转。本文结果与文献相比有些差异，可能与实验条件不同及观察时间较短有关。     

Osteoporosis after spinal cord injury.

Dual-photon absorptiometry characterized bone loss in males aged less than 40 years after complete traumatic paraplegic and quadriplegic spinal cord injury. Total bone mass of various regions and bone mineral density (BMD) of the knee were measured in 55 subjects. Three different populations were partitioned into four groups: 10 controls (healthy, age matched); 25 acutely injured (114 days after injury), with 12 reexamined 16 months after injury; and 20 chronic (greater than 5 years after injury). Significant differences (p less than 0.0001) in bone mass mineral between groups at the arms, pelvis, legs, distal femur, and proximal tibia were found, with no differences for the head or trunk. Post hoc analyses indicated no differences between the acutely injured at 16 months and the chronically injured. Paraplegic and quadriplegic subjects were significantly different only at the arms and trunk, but were highly similar at the pelvis and below. In the acutely injured, a slight but statistically insignificant rebound was noted above the pelvis. Regression techniques demonstrated early, rapid, linear (p less than 0.0001) decline of bone below the pelvis. Bone mineral loss occurs throughout the entire skeleton, except the skull. Most bone loss occurs rapidly and below the pelvis. Homeostasis is reached by 16 months at two thirds of original bone mass, near fracture threshold.     

Satisfaction with access and quality of healthcare services for people with spinal cord injury living in the community

Objective: To identify barriers to access healthcare services and reveal determinants of satisfaction with healthcare services in people with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Community setting in Switzerland.

Participants: People with chronic SCI.

Interventions: Non-applicable.

Outcome Measures: Questionnaire-based evaluation of availability and quality of healthcare services for secondary health conditions, satisfaction with fulfillment of healthcare needs, and preference for care from a hypothetical service provider with limited specialized SCI care expertise but in close proximity over comprehensive care from an existing specialized SCI center located at a greater distance.

Results: Close to three-quarter of participants (70%) indicated satisfaction with healthcare services received for SCI related health conditions. Elderly individuals (61+ years old) rated the availability and quality of healthcare 6% to 11% higher than younger individuals. The perceived fulfillment of healthcare needs was lower in people with incomplete paraplegia (odds ratio (OR) 2.11, 95%-credibility interval (CI) 1.18–3.84), chronic pain (OR 1.85, CI 1.12–3.08), insufficient access to long distance transportation (OR 5.81, CI 2.74–12.82), and longer travel distances to specialized SCI centers.

Conclusion: Perceived inadequateness of access to healthcare services was partly related to transportation barriers, suggesting that outreach services or support with transportation are possible solutions. People with incomplete paralysis and pain consistently rated the fulfillment of care needs associated with SCI less favorably, pointing to the need for enhanced advocacy for this vulnerable groups.     

Patterns of cognitive deficits in persons with spinal cord injury as compared with both age-matched and older individuals without spinal cord injury

Context/Objective: Cognitive deficits can impact as many as 60% of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). In an effort to identify the nature of cognitive deficits in SCI, we examined neuropsychological test performance in individuals with SCI, age matched healthy controls and older healthy controls.

Design: Participants completed a motor-free neuropsychological test battery assessing attention, working memory, information processing speed, new learning /memory and executive control.

Setting: Outpatient rehabilitation research facility.

Participants: Participants included 60 individuals with chronic spinal cord injury [SCI; 32 with paraplegia (T2-T12) and 28 with tetraplegia (C3-T1)], 30 age-matched healthy controls (AMHC; 30–40 years old) and 20 older healthy controls (OHC; 50–60 years old).

Outcome Measures: Wechsler Intelligence Scale – 3^rd edition (WAIS-III) Digit Span and Letter-Number Sequencing; Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) – oral version; California Verbal Learning Test-II; Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT); Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI); Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System; Verbal Fluency subtest.

Results: Significant differences were noted between the SCI and AMHC groups on measures of information processing speed, new learning and memory, and verbal fluency. No significant differences were noted between the groups on tests of attention or working memory.

Conclusion: The current study documented differences in specific realms of cognitive functioning between a chronic SCI sample and AMHC. Implications for cognitive rehabilitation and overall quality of life are discussed. Additional research is needed utilizing a more comprehensive battery of motor-free neuropsychological tests that avoid the confound of upper limb motor limitations on cognitive performance.     

应用改进封闭脊髓窗技术活体观察脊髓损伤后脊髓微循环变化

目的:探讨应用改进的封闭脊髓窗技术活体观察大鼠脊髓损伤后脊髓微循环变化的可行性及效果.方法:改进传统的脊髓窗,设计带有打击探头的脊髓窗.45只SD大鼠随机分为对照组(n=20)和实验组(n=25).实验组大鼠脊髓窗安装完成后进行窗内打击脊髓,然后即时观察并记录打击后2h内打击点周围微动脉直径的变化.对照组大鼠在脊髓窗安装完成后不进行打击,只对脊髓微动脉直径进行连续2h观察并记录.术后两组大鼠进行BBB运动功能评分,处死动物取脊髓标本切片,HE染色,观察脊髓组织改变情况.结果:实验组大鼠打击点周围2～6mm的微动脉直径在打击后10min、30min、1h、2h各时间点均较打击前明显减小,术后2d及7d时BBB功能评分明显低于术前,病理切片可见脊髓打击区神经组织变性液化.对照组大鼠在观测开始及结束时脊髓微动脉直径无明显变化,术后BBB评分与术前BBB评分均为21分,病理切片未见脊髓损伤表现.结论:改进的封闭脊髓窗技术可以有效地实现窗内打击脊髓,并可以安全地对脊髓表面微血管进行活体观测.脊髓表面打击点周围2～6mm的微动脉在脊髓损伤后10min即发生痉挛.     

Elevated levels of IgA and IgG2 in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury

ObjectivesTo determine circulating levels of antibodies (IgA, IgM, IgG1-4) in individuals with SCI as compared to uninjured individuals.Study DesignProspective, observational study.SettingOutpatient clinic of a Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and research institute in an academic medical center.ParticipantsIndividuals with chronic (≥ 1 year from injury) SCI and uninjured individuals.Outcome MeasuresSerum antibody titers were determined by commercial multiplex ELISA.ResultsBlood samples were collected from individuals with chronic SCI (N = 29, 83% males) and uninjured individuals (N = 25, 64% males). Among participants with SCI, the distribution of American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grades was: A (n = 15), B (n = 2), C (n = 4), D (n = 8). Neurological levels of injury were: cervical (n = 17), thoracic (n = 10), and lumbar (n = 2). IgA levels were significantly elevated in participants with SCI compared to uninjured participants (median: 1.98 vs. 1.21 mg/ml, P < 0.0001), with levels most elevated in individuals with motor complete injuries compared to uninjured participants (P < 0.0003). IgG2 antibodies were also significantly elevated in participants with SCI compared to uninjured participants (median: 5.98 vs. 4.37 mg/ml, P < 0.018).ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence of elevated IgA, the antibody type most prevalent at respiratory, genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts, common sites of infections in individuals with SCI. IgG2 levels were also elevated in individuals with SCI. These data support further investigations of IgA and other antibody types in individuals with chronic SCI, which may be increasingly important in the context of emerging novel infectious diseases such as SARS-CoV-2.     

儿童无放射学影像异常的脊髓损伤14例临床分析

目的：提高对儿童无放射学影像异常的脊髓损伤（spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality，SCIWORA）的认识。方法：对1992年1月至2005年8月北京儿童医院住院患者中诊断为“急性脊髓炎”或“脊髓损伤”的187例进行回顾性分析，发现其中14例为SCIWORA。男6例，女8例。年龄1岁3个月～15岁（15岁1例，1岁3个月～7岁13例）。均有明确外伤史。损伤水平在C6～T9，颈髓2例，胸髓12例。脊髓功能ASIA分级：A级9例，C级4例，D级1例。脊柱X线片和CT未见骨折及脱位；MRI检查示脊髓水肿9例,脊髓出血2例，脊髓挫伤3例。采用综合治疗，包括卧床、局部制动，应用激素、脱水剂、神经营养药等。结果：4例患者失访，10例患者随访6个月～5年，平均2年3个月，4例（C级3例，D级1例）患者（均为MRI显示水肿局限者）在伤后6个月运动、感觉及括约肌功能完全恢复（E级）；6例（A级）患者运动、感觉及括约肌障碍未恢复。2例（A级）病初MRI表现为脊髓弥漫水肿者，伤后4～6个月复查MRI脊髓呈萎缩样改变。结论：对怀疑SCIWORA的儿童，应首选MRI检查。脊髓水肿局限者预后好，水肿弥漫或伴有出血、挫伤者预后差。     

Effect of norepinephrine on spinal cord blood flow and parenchymal hemorrhage size in acute-phase experimental spinal cord injury

Purpose

In the acute phase of spinal cord injury (SCI), ischemia and parenchymal hemorrhage are believed to worsen the primary lesions induced by mechanical trauma. To minimize ischemia, keeping the mean arterial blood pressure above 85 mmHg for at least 1 week is recommended, and norepinephrine is frequently administered to achieve this goal. However, no experimental study has assessed the effect of norepinephrine on spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) and parenchymal hemorrhage size. We have assessed the effect of norepinephrine on SCBF and parenchymal hemorrhage size within the first hour after experimental SCI.

Methods

A total of 38 animals were included in four groups according to whether SCI was induced and norepinephrine injected. SCI was induced at level Th10 by dropping a 10-g weight from a height of 10 cm. Each experiment lasted 60 min. Norepinephrine was started 15 min after the trauma. SCBF was measured in the ischemic penumbra zone surrounding the trauma epicenter using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. Hemorrhage size was measured repeatedly on parasagittal B-mode ultrasonography slices.

Results

SCI was associated with significant decreases in SCBF (P = 0.0002). Norepinephrine infusion did not significantly modify SCBF. Parenchymal hemorrhage size was significantly greater in the animals given norepinephrine (P = 0.0002).

Conclusion

In the rat, after a severe SCI at the Th10 level, injection of norepinephrine 15 min after SCI does not modify SCBF and increases the size of the parenchymal hemorrhage.     

Association between alendronate,serum alkaline phosphatase level,and heterotopic ossification in individuals with spinal cord injury

Context/objective

Only sparse evidence exists regarding the effectiveness of oral alendronate (ALN) in the prevention of heterotopic ossification (HO) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). The objective of this study is to investigate the protective effect of oral ALN intake on the appearance of HO in patients with SCI.

Study design

Retrospective database review.

Setting

A Spinal Cord Unit at a Rehabilitation Hospital.

Participants

Two hundred and ninety-nine patients with SCI during acute inpatient rehabilitation.

Interventions

Administration of oral ALN.

Outcome measures

The incidence of HO during rehabilitation was compared between patients with SCI receiving oral ALN (n = 125) and patients with SCI not receiving oral ALN (n = 174). The association between HO and/or ALN intake with HO risk factors and biochemical markers of bone metabolism were also explored.

Results

HO developed in 19 male patients (6.35%), however there was no significant difference in the incidence of HO in patients receiving oral ALN or not. The mean odds ratio of not developing versus developing HO given ALN exposure was 0.8. Significant correlation was found between abnormal serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels and HO appearance (P < 0.001) as well as normal serum ALP and ALN intake (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Even though there was no direct prevention of HO in patients with SCI by oral ALN intake, abnormal serum ALP was found more frequently in patients with HO development and without oral ALN intake. This evidence could suggest that ALN may play a role in preventing HO, especially in patients with acute SCI with increasing levels of serum ALP.     

Modification of spasticity by transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury

Context/objective

To examine the effects of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) on lower-limb spasticity.

Design

Interventional pilot study to produce preliminary data.

Setting

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wilhelminenspital, Vienna, Austria.

Participants

Three subjects with chronic motor-incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) who could walk ≥10 m.

Interventions

Two interconnected stimulating skin electrodes (Ø 5 cm) were placed paraspinally at the T11/T12 vertebral levels, and two rectangular electrodes (8 × 13 cm) on the abdomen for the reference. Biphasic 2 ms-width pulses were delivered at 50 Hz for 30 minutes at intensities producing paraesthesias but no motor responses in the lower limbs.

Outcome measures

The Wartenberg pendulum test and neurological recordings of surface-electromyography (EMG) were used to assess effects on exaggerated reflex excitability. Non-functional co-activation during volitional movement was evaluated. The timed 10-m walk test provided measures of clinical function.

Results

The index of spasticity derived from the pendulum test changed from 0.8 ± 0.4 pre- to 0.9 ± 0.3 post-stimulation, with an improvement in the subject with the lowest pre-stimulation index. Exaggerated reflex responsiveness was decreased after tSCS across all subjects, with the most profound effect on passive lower-limb movement (pre- to post-tSCS EMG ratio: 0.2 ± 0.1), as was non-functional co-activation during voluntary movement. Gait speed values increased in two subjects by 39%.

Conclusion

These preliminary results suggest that tSCS, similar to epidurally delivered stimulation, may be used for spasticity control, without negatively impacting residual motor control in incomplete SCI. Further study in a larger population is warranted.