Outcomes of outpatient visits for acute respiratory illness in veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory complications are a leading cause of death in persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI&D). We examined same-day and 60-day hospitalizations and 60-day mortality after acute respiratory illness (ARI) outpatient visits. DESIGN: A longitudinal study was conducted of 8775 ARI visits in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) (October. 1997-September 2002) by persons with SCI&D. ARIs included upper respiratory infections (URI), acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and influenza (P&I). RESULTS: URIs accounted for almost half of all (49%) visits. A total of 14.9% of patients with ARIs were hospitalized the same day; 30.8% were hospitalized within 60 days. Predictors of hospitalization included diagnosis of either P&I or acute bronchitis, comorbid illness, level of injury, age, and VA SCI center visit. Overall 60-day mortality was 2.9% but was 7.9% for pneumonia. Mortality was related to diagnosis (P&I: odds ratio [OR] = 9.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.27-13.33; acute bronchitis: OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.08-2.93), age (65+: OR = 3.96, 95% CI: 2.23-5.70), and comorbid conditions (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.43-2.46). CONCLUSIONS: P&I and acute bronchitis were associated with increased VA hospitalization and mortality rates. The case fatality rate for pneumonia is higher for SCI&D than the general population. Level of injury predicted hospitalization but not death. Efforts to improve prevention and treatment of ARIs in persons with SCI&D are needed.     

The respiratory system in spinal cord injury

Respiratory complications are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality during the acute and chronic phases after spinal cord injury (SCI). This article reviews the respiratory impairments resulting from SCI and discusses a range of management strategies to be considered from the acute care phase through long-term follow up. The treatment of specific complications and preventive measures are reviewed.     

Cardiovascular disease in spinal cord injury: an overview of prevalence, risk, evaluation, and management

Cardiovascular disease is a growing concern for the spinal cord-injured (SCI) population. For long-term SCI, morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular causes now exceeds that caused by renal and pulmonary conditions, the primary causes of mortality in previous decades. Although risk estimates commonly used for ambulatory individuals have not been established from follow-up studies in SCI, nearly all risk factors tend to be more prevalent in SCI subjects compared with ambulatory subjects. These risks include a greater prevalence of obesity, lipid disorders, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. Daily energy expenditure is significantly lower in SCI individuals, not only because of a lack of motor function, but also because of a lack of accessibility and fewer opportunities to engage in physical activity. Autonomic dysfunction caused by SCI is also associated with several conditions that contribute to heightened cardiovascular risk, including abnormalities in blood pressure, heart rate variability, arrhythmias, and a blunted cardiovascular response to exercise that can limit the capacity to perform physical activity. Thus, screening, recognition, and treatment of cardiovascular disease should be an essential component of managing individuals with SCI, and judicious treatment of risk factors can play an important role in minimizing the incidence of cardiovascular disease in these individuals. This article reviews the cardiovascular consequences of chronic SCI, including the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and risk factors unique to these individuals, and provides a synopsis of management of cardiovascular disease in this population.     

New avenues for reducing intensive care needs in patients with chronic spinal cord injury

Relatively soon after their accident, patients suffering a spinal cord injury (SCI) begin generally experiencing the development of significant, often life-threatening secondary complications. Many of which are associated with chronic physical inactivity-related immune function problems and increasing susceptibility to infection that repeatedly requires intensive care treatment. Therapies capable of repairing the spinal cord or restoring ambulation would normally prevent many of these problems but, as of now, there is no cure for SCI. Thus, management strategies and antibiotics remain the standard of care although antimicrobial resistance constitutes a significant challenge for patients with chronic SCI facing recurrent infections of the urinary tract and respiratory systems. Identifying alternative therapies capable of safe and potent actions upon these serious health concerns should therefore be considered a priority. This editorial presents some of the novel approaches currently in development for the prevention of specific infections after SCI. Among them, brain-permeable small molecule therapeutics acting centrally on spinal cord circuits that can augment respiratory capabilities or bladder functions. If eventually approved by regulatory authorities, some of these new avenues may potentially become clinically-relevant therapies capable of indirectly preventing the occurrence and/or severity of these life-threatening complications in people with paraplegic or tetraplegic injuries.     

Etiology and incidence of rehospitalization after traumatic spinal cord injury: a multicenter analysis

OBJECTIVES: To examine the frequency and reasons for rehospitalization in persons with acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) during follow-up years and to examine the association between rehospitalization and demographics, neurologic category, payer sources, length of stay (LOS), discharge motor FIM instrument score, and discharge residence. DESIGN: Survey design with analysis of cross-sectional data. SETTING: Model Spinal Cord Injury Systems (MSCIS) centers. PARTICIPANTS: Data for 8668 persons with SCI from 16 MSCIS centers entered in the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center database between 1995 and 2002. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: MSCIS Forms I and II were used to identify the annual incidence, medical complications, and etiologies of rehospitalizations reported at 1-, 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year follow-ups. RESULTS: The leading cause of rehospitalization was diseases of the genitourinary system, including urinary tract infections (UTIs). Diseases of the respiratory system tended to be more likely in patients with tetraplegia (C1-8 American Spinal Injury Association [ASIA] grades A, B, C); whereas patients with paraplegia (T1-S5 ASIA grades A, B, C) were more likely to be rehospitalized for pressure ulcers. The rate of rehospitalization was significantly higher at year 1, 5, and 20 for those who were discharged to a skilled nursing facility after acute rehabilitation. Lower motor score using the FIM was predictive of rehospitalization (P=.000). The average LOS per rehospitalization at the year-5 follow-up was approximately 12 days, which is lower than in past MSCIS reports. CONCLUSIONS: Despite improvements in SCI medical management, rehospitalization rates remain high, with an increased incidence in conditions associated with the genitourinary system (including UTIs), respiratory complications (including pneumonia), and diseases of the skin (including pressure ulcers). Acutely injured patients need close follow-up to reduce morbidity and rehospitalizations.     

Secondary health conditions in persons with a spinal cord injury for at least 10 years: design of a comprehensive long-term cross-sectional study

Purpose: To describe the prevalence of secondary health conditions (SHCs) (urinary tract and bowel problems, pressure ulcers, spasticity, musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain, sexual dysfunction, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders) in persons with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI), and to explore the impact of SHCs on fitness, active lifestyle, participation and well-being. Methods: A time since injury (TSI)-stratified cross-sectional study among 300 persons between 28- and 65-year-old with a SCI for at least 10 years. Strata of TSI are 10–19, 20–29, and 30 or more years. All eight Dutch rehabilitation centres with a SCI unit will participate. Participants will be invited for a 1-day visit to the rehabilitation centre for an aftercare check-up by the local SCI rehabilitation physician (neurological impairment, SHCs and management), physical tests by a trained research assistant (lung function, wheelchair skills, physical capacity), and they will be asked to complete a self-report questionnaire in advance. Results: Not applicable. Conclusion: This study will provide knowledge on the health status and functioning of persons aging with SCI living in the Netherlands. This knowledge will help us to develop predictive models for the occurrence of SHCs and to formulate guidelines to improve health care for persons with long-term SCI.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Persons with long-term spinal cord injury may be susceptible to many types of secondary health conditions (i.e. pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections, pain and spasticity).

• Coordinated long-term health care is required for this population but this is currently not operational in all specialized rehabilitation centres in the Netherlands.

• This study aims to develop predictive models for the occurrence of secondary health conditions and to develop guidelines to improve long-term health care for persons living with a spinal cord injury in the Netherlands.

     

Metabolic changes in persons after spinal cord injury

Persons with chronic SCI have several metabolic disturbances. As a consequence of inactivity and the body compositional changes of decreased skeletal muscle with a relative increase in adiposity, a state of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia has been demonstrated to exist, associated with abnormalities in oral carbohydrate handling. Elevated plasma insulin levels in persons with SCI probably contribute to the cause of frequent dyslipidemia and hypertension. This constellation of metabolic changes represents an atherogenic pattern of CHD risk factors with many of the distinctive features of a cardiovascular dysmetabolic syndrome that is called syndrome X. Reduction in modifiable risk factors for CHD should decrease the occurrence of catastrophic cardiovascular events. There is evidence to suggest that endogenous anabolic hormone levels are depressed in a proportion of individuals with SCI. Depression of serum testosterone and growth hormone/IGF-I levels may exacerbate the adverse lipid and body compositional changes, reduce exercise tolerance, and have deleterious effects on quality of life. Because of immobilization, individuals with paraplegia have osteoporosis of the pelvis and lower extremities, and those with tetraplegia also have osteoporosis of the upper extremities. In addition, there is evidence to suggest that bone loss progresses with time in persons with chronic SCI. This may be caused by chronic immobilization per se or may be a consequence of adverse hormonal changes, including deficiency of anabolic hormones or deficiency of vitamin D and calcium with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Serum thyroid function abnormalities resembling the euthyroid sick "low T3 syndrome" have been reported in those with acute and chronic spinal cord injury. Depressed serum T3 and elevated rT3 in chronic SCI may be caused by associated illness. Current practice has been hesitant to treat abnormal serum thyroid chemistries associated with nonthyroidal illness. Recognition of metabolic abnormalities in individuals with SCI is vital as a first step in improving clinical care. The application of appropriate interventions to correct or ameliorate these abnormalities promises to improve longevity and quality of life in persons with SCI.     

Neurogenic bladder in spinal cord injury

In the past, renal failure was the leading cause of death after spinal cord injury (SCI). Today mortality from SCI has declined dramatically partly owing to the improved management of urologic dysfunction associated with SCI. The goals of bladder management in spinal cord injury patients are intended to (1) ensure social continence for reintegration into community, (2) allow low-pressure storage and efficient bladder emptying at low detrusor pressures, (3) avoid stretch injury from repeated overdistension, (4) prevent upper and lower urinary tracts complications from high intravesical pressures, and (5) prevent recurrent urinary tract infections. This article provides an overview of neurogenic bladder dysfunction associated with SCI and current management options.     

Assessment of upper limb in tetraplegia: considerations in evaluation and outcomes research

This article briefly discusses several measurement tools for evaluating the upper limb of persons with tetraplegia. Muscle strength testing and electrodiagnostics are discussed as they relate to technique and usefulness for clinical trials. Standardized measures of hand function are reviewed; their limitations for clinical trials during acute spinal cord injury (SCI) care are acknowledged and their strengths for interventional studies and clinical trials during chronic phases of SCI care are defined. Recommendations are set forth for incorporating the International Classification for Surgery of the Hand in Tetraplegia motor and sensory examinations as adjuncts to the International Standards for Neurological Classification of SCI motor and sensory examinations and for further developing electrodiagnostic techniques as measurement tools for acute clinical trials. The Grasp and Release Test is described and recommended for clinical trials involving persons in the chronic stages of SCI. Lastly, we note that much work remains in the development, validation, and clinical deployment of an assessment of upper-limb function in SCI.     

Spinal cord injury pain: the influence of psychologic factors and impact on quality of life

OBJECTIVES: To examine chronic pain prevalence in a spinal cord injury (SCI) population, and to determine the influence of psychologic factors on SCI pain and impact of SCI pain on quality of life. METHODS: Five hundred seventy-five persons with SCI were asked to participate in the study. Demographic, SCI, and pain characteristics were obtained. The Chronic Pain Grade, anger items of the Profile of Mood States, Illness Cognition Questionnaire, Pain Coping and Cognition List, and Patient Health Questionnaire were used. General health and well-being were assessed with 0-10 scales. The influence of psychologic factors was assessed with regression analyses controlling for person and injury characteristics and pain intensity. RESULTS: Response rate was 49%. SCI pain prevalence was high (77.1%). More internal pain control and coping, less catastrophizing, higher level of lesion, and nontraumatic SCI cause were associated with less pain intensity. More pain was associated with higher pain-related disability. Lower catastrophizing was related to better health. Less SCI helplessness and catastrophizing, greater SCI acceptance and lower anger levels were related to higher well-being. Higher levels of SCI helplessness, catastrophizing, and anger were related to higher depression levels. Pain intensity showed no independent relationships with health, well-being, and depression in the regression analyses. DISCUSSION: Chronic SCI pain and quality of life were both largely associated with several psychologic factors of which pain catastrophizing and SCI helplessness were most important. Psychologic intervention programs may be useful for persons suffering from chronic SCI pain to improve their quality of life.     

Respiratory viral infection and the immune reactivity of patients with different forms of bronchitis

Virological and immunological examinations made in 258 persons with different forms of bronchitis (acute, relapsing, chronic nonobstructive and obstructive) made it possible to establish a correlation between the forms of bronchitis and the intensity of immunosuppression as well as between the variety and duration of respiratory virus infections, which may indicate that viruses are implicated in the pathogenesis of both acute and chronic processes.     

Studying the quality of life and life satisfaction among persons with spinal cord injury undergoing urinary management.

The purpose of this survey was to investigate quality of life and life satisfaction among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) who require various types of urinary management. A sample of 230 persons with SCI completed the Quality of Life Index (QLI), the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), and a demographic data form. Findings of this study indicated that there was no significant difference in QLI and SWLS with regard to the type of urinary management used (reflex voiding, indwelling catheter, suprapubic catheter, intermittent catheterization, external catheter or a combination of intermittent catheterization and external catheter). There also was no significant difference in QLI and SWLS with regard to the level of SCI or the incidence of hospitalizations for urinary infections. There were significantly higher QLI and SWLS scores for those with greater abilities to work, attend school, and participate in activities. There also was a significantly higher QLI for those without skin problems associated with urinary dysfunction.     

Management of respiratory infections in the elderly

Respiratory infections are common at all ages but are particularly sinister among the elderly because of the fragility and chronic comorbidity associated with this age group. The three types of respiratory infection in the elderly are community-acquired pneumonia, acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and nonpneumonic respiratory tract infection. The etiology of these three types of infection includes classic bacteria, atypical pathogens and respiratory viruses. The relative frequency of each of the etiological groups as the causative agent of the infection varies significantly among these types of infection, but in all three types a significant proportion of infections involves more than one pathogen. The causative agent of respiratory infection in the elderly cannot be determined on the basis of clinical manifestation or the results of routine imaging procedures or laboratory tests. Thus, initial antibiotic therapy in these patients should be empiric, based on accepted guidelines. In recent years, the antipneumococcal fluoroquinolones have gained in stature as one of the best options to treat these infections. Pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations can reduce morbidity and mortality from respiratory infections in the elderly, so it is important that all elderly individuals are vaccinated through a structured program in the framework of primary care. The economic impact of respiratory infections in the elderly is primarily associated with the requirement for hospitalization in many of the cases. Any action that can reduce hospitalization rates has important economic ramifications. In light of the difficulty in reaching an early etiologic diagnosis in respiratory infections, it is essential to invest in the development of a compact diagnostic kit for the early stages of the disease, which could change reality in this important area of medicine.     

Management of respiratory infections in the elderly

Respiratory infections are common at all ages but are particularly sinister among the elderly because of the fragility and chronic comorbidity associated with this age group. The three types of respiratory infection in the elderly are community-acquired pneumonia, acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and nonpneumonic respiratory tract infection. The etiology of these three types of infection includes classic bacteria, atypical pathogens and respiratory viruses. The relative frequency of each of the etiological groups as the causative agent of the infection varies significantly among these types of infection, but in all three types a significant proportion of infections involves more than one pathogen. The causative agent of respiratory infection in the elderly cannot be determined on the basis of clinical manifestation or the results of routine imaging procedures or laboratory tests. Thus, initial antibiotic therapy in these patients should be empiric, based on accepted guidelines. In recent years, the antipneumococcal fluoroquinolones have gained in stature as one of the best options to treat these infections. Pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations can reduce morbidity and mortality from respiratory infections in the elderly, so it is important that all elderly individuals are vaccinated through a structured program in the framework of primary care. The economic impact of respiratory infections in the elderly is primarily associated with the requirement for hospitalization in many of the cases. Any action that can reduce hospitalization rates has important economic ramifications. In light of the difficulty in reaching an early etiologic diagnosis in respiratory infections, it is essential to invest in the development of a compact diagnostic kit for the early stages of the disease, which could change reality in this important area of medicine.     

Mechanisms of acute exacerbation of respiratory symptoms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Exacerbations of chronic obstructive respiratory disease (ECOPD) are acute events characterized by worsening of the patient's respiratory symptoms, particularly dyspnoea, leading to change in medical treatment and/or hospitalisation. AECOP are considered respiratory diseases, with reference to the respiratory nature of symptoms and to the involvement of airways and lung. Indeed respiratory infections and/or air pollution are the main causes of ECOPD. They cause an acute inflammation of the airways and the lung on top of the chronic inflammation that is associated with COPD. This acute inflammation is responsible of the development of acute respiratory symptoms (in these cases the term ECOPD is appropriate). However, the acute inflammation caused by infections/pollutants is almost associated with systemic inflammation, that may cause acute respiratory symptoms through decompensation of concomitant chronic diseases (eg acute heart failure, thromboembolism, etc) almost invariably associated with COPD. Most concomitant chronic diseases share with COPD not only the underlying chronic inflammation of the target organs (i.e. lungs, myocardium, vessels, adipose tissue), but also clinical manifestations like fatigue and dyspnoea. For this reason, in patients with multi‐morbidity (eg COPD with chronic heart failure and hypertension, etc), the exacerbation of respiratory symptoms may be particularly difficult to investigate, as it may be caused by exacerbation of COPD and/or ≥ comorbidity, (e.g. decompensated heart failure, arrhythmias, thromboembolisms) without necessarily involving the airways and lung. In these cases the term ECOPD is inappropriate and misleading.     

地震中脊柱脊髓损伤伤员的急救

地震会造成大量脊柱脊髓损伤伤员。脊柱骨折影响脊柱稳定性,给现场急救带来困难。对怀疑有脊髓损伤的伤员在救治过程中应注意保持脊柱稳定并妥善制动。7岁以下的儿童有其自身的解剖特点,在现场救援时应特别注意。现场医学急救除常规的ABC原则外,还应注意与脊髓损伤密切相关的呼吸功能和血流动力学方面的问题。现场急救的主要目的是降低脊柱脊髓损伤伤员的残疾程度,提高存活率和救治效果。     

Pain assessment in spinal cord injury.

Pain management is a serious problem for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Recent developments in pain assessment indicate that multiaxial approaches, assessing medical, psychosocial, and behavioral/functional dimensions, are necessary to measure adequately the impact of chronic pain. The application of this multiaxial system to persons with SCI and chronic pain is presented. A review of the literature indicates that the psychometric properties and test utility for most pain measures have not been established for persons with SCI. The assessment task is further confounded by the functional limitations and psychosocial impairments that may accompany SCI. Recommendations are made for adapting established pain measures for use with SCI individuals. The choice of assessment tools for these patients is guided by the multidimensional nature of the pain experience, functional limitations, and the goals of treatment.     

Efficacy of amitriptyline for relief of pain in spinal cord injury: results of a randomized controlled trial

Chronic pain in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) is a difficult problem for which there is no simple method of treatment. Few randomized controlled trials of medications for pain in persons with SCI have been conducted. This study was designed to determine whether amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, is efficacious in relieving chronic pain and improving pain-related physical and psychosocial dysfunction in persons with SCI. Eighty-four participants with SCI and chronic pain were randomized to a 6-week trial of amitriptyline or an active placebo, benztropine mesylate. All pre- and post-treatment assessments were conducted by evaluators blind to the allocation. Regression analyses were conducted to examine whether there was a medication group effect on the primary (average pain intensity) and secondary outcome measures. No significant differences were found between the groups in pain intensity or pain-related disability post-treatment, in either intent-to-treat analyses or analyses of study completers. These findings do not support the use of amitriptyline in the treatment of chronic pain in this population, but we cannot rule out the possibility that certain subgroups may benefit.     

Excess mortality associated with mental illness and substance use disorders among veteran clinic users with spinal cord injury

Purpose.?Among veterans with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) or disease aetiologies, examine the association between diagnosed mental illness (MI) and substance use disorders (SUD) on mortality after controlling for demographic and socioeconomic factors, SCI severity, injury duration and chronic physical illnesses.

Method.?Longitudinal analysis of Veteran Health Administration(VHA) administrative data and Medicare claims for FY 1999–2004 matched with Spinal Cord Dysfunction-Registry (SCD-R) of VHA clinic users (N == 8334) with SCI. SCI was identified through SCD-R; individual MIs (anxiety, bipolar, depressive disorders, psychoses, post-traumatic disorder and schizophrenia) and SUDs (tobacco, alcohol and/or drug) were identified through ICD-9-CM codes. Cox-proportional hazards regressions were used to examine association between MI and SUD and time to death in years.

Results.?Among veterans with SCI, 17%% died by the end of FY 2004. Veterans with psychosis (35%%), depression (22%%) and alcohol and/or drug use (20%%) had significantly higher rates of mortality compared to those without these diagnoses. After adjusting for other independent variables in the study, hazards ratios for psychosis was 1.47 (95%%CI == 1.24, 1.75), for alcohol and/or drug use was 1.30 (95%% CI == 1.11, 1.53).

Conclusions.?Some types of MI and SUD were associated with excess mortality among veterans with SCI. Care for MI and SUD needs to be routinely integrated into SCI management. Future research is needed to determine whether depression and SUD treatment provides opportunity to improve survival.     

Psychological interventions for chronic pain following spinal cord injury.

Currently, no literature is available regarding the clinical efficacy and treatment outcome of psychological interventions for chronic pain among spinal cord injured (SCI) persons. The present article provides a framework for cognitive-behavioral interventions used with other pain populations and suggested application for the SCI population with chronic pain. Primary focus is upon a biopsychosocial model with patient self-management as the treatment goal. SCI rehabilitation has traditionally relied upon self-management strategies, as have recent psychological treatment approaches for chronic pain. In addition, recommendations for treatment outcome research are provided with the emphasis on using existing standardized assessment and measurement protocols.