Factors Associated With Oral Problems Among Adults With Spinal Cord Injury

Objective:

To explore factors associated with self-reported current oral (tooth and gum) problems and oral pain in the past 12 months among adults with spinal cord injury.

Methods:

An online oral health survey on the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association website. Respondents were 192 adult residents of the US who identified themselves as having spinal cord injury at least 1 year before the survey date.

Results:

Approximately 47% of respondents reported having oral problems at the time of the survey, and 42% reported experiencing oral pain in the 12 months before the survey date. Multiple predictor analyses (controlling for age, gender, income, and dental insurance) indicated that current oral problems were positively associated with dry mouth symptoms, financial barriers to dental care access, smoking, and paraplegia. Oral pain experienced in the past 12 months was positively associated with dry mouth symptoms, financial barriers to dental care access, minority race, and paraplegia.

Conclusions:

Adults with spinal cord injury reported a high prevalence of oral problems and oral pain. Those with paraplegia were more likely to report problems than those with tetraplegia. Because dry mouth and smoking were significantly associated with these problems, patient education from both dental and medical providers should emphasize awareness of the side effects of xerostomia-causing medications, dry mouth management, and smoking cessation. Findings also indicate unmet needs for low-cost preventive and treatment dental services for this vulnerable population.     

Low-Frequency Fatigue in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

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 (PI 00), 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.     

Evaluation of Bone Mineral Density in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Background/Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the bone mineral density (BMD) values in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and determine the effects of the level, severity, and duration of the neurological lesion and spasticity on BMD values.

Methods: A total of 75 patients with traumatic SCI and a healthy control group of 39 people were included in the study. The BMD values of the lumbar spine and 4 different regions of the hip (femoral neck, Ward's triangle, trochanter, and femoral shaft) of all cases were measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. The biochemical markers were also analyzed.

Results: The BMD values in all measured regions were found to be decreased in patients compared with that of controls. The level and seventy of the lesion and the spasticity did not significantly affect BMD values in the regions analyzed. The BMD values of the hip decreased as the duration of SCI increased. The levels of plasma phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase, calcium in 24-hour urine samples, and the calcium/creatinine ratio in spot urines were found to be significantly higher in the patient group.

Conclusion: All patients with SCI had lower BMD values than controls. The level and severity of SCI and spasticity did not significantly affect BMD values. The BMD values of the hip decreased as the duration of SCI increased.     

Shoulder Muscular Demand During Lever-Activated Vs Pushrim Wheelchair Propulsion in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury

Background/Objective:     

Shoulder Muscular Demand During Lever-Activated Vs Pushrim Wheelchair Propulsion In Persons With Spinal Cord Injury

Background/Objective: The high demand on the upper limbs during manual wheelchair (WC) use contributes to a high prevalence of shoulder pathology in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Leveractivated (LEVER) WCs have been presented as a less demanding alternative mode of manual WC propulsion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the shoulder muscle electromyographic activity and propulsion characteristics in manual WC users with SCI propelling a standard pushrim (ST) and LEVER WC design.

Methods: Twenty men with complete injuries (ASIA A or B) and tetraplegia (C6, n = 5; C7, n = 7) or paraplegia (n = 8) secondary to SCI propelled STand LEVER WCs at 3 propulsion conditions on a stationary ergometer: self-selected free, self-selected fast, and simulated graded resistance. Average velocity, cycle distance, and cadence; median and peak electromyographic intensity; and duration of electromyography of anterior deltoid, pectoralis major, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus muscles were compared between LEVER and ST WC propulsion .

Results: Sign ificant decreases in pectoralis major and supraspinatus activity were recorded during LEVER compared with ST WC propulsion. However, anterior deltoid and infraspinatus intensities tended to increase during LEVER WC propulsion. Participants with tetraplegia had similar or greater anterior deltoid, pectoralis major, and infraspinatus activity for both ST and LEVER WC propulsion compared with the men with paraplegia.

Conclusions: Use of the LEVER WC reduced and shifted the shoulder muscular demands in individuals with paraplegia and tetraplegia. Further studies are needed to determine the impact of LEVER WC propulsion on long-term shoulder function.     

The Efficacy of Colostomy as a Bowel Management Alternative in Selected Spinal Cord Injury Patients

ABSTRACT

Although colostomy has been used to divert the fecal stream from pressure sore sites and to deal with fecal incontinence in patients with conus/cauda level injuries, its use on an elective basis to shorten and simplify the bowel routines of SCI patients to improve their quality of life has not normally been advocated. A questionnaire and two case histories were used to gather data relating to self-care and management of elimination in order to delineate criteria for consideration of elective colostomy. The study concludes that elective colostomy may be an appropriate alternative for some SCI patients, particularly those who have failed in self-care or for whom their vocation or avocation is impaired by prolonged bowel routines. (J Am Paraplegia Society 1990;13: 9–13)     

Fibrinogen Metabolism in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Background/Objective: Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism are common within weeks of spinal cord injury (SCI) but clinically uncommon in the chronically paralyzed. Fibrinogen half-life (FHL) and fibrin uptake of the legs (FUT), as indicators of an active thrombotic process, have been used to test this clinical impression.

Methods: Data from the use of autologous preparations of radioiodinated fibrinogen to determine FHL and FUT in 17 men paralyzed at cervical (6), thoracic (10), and lumbar levels (1), at ASIA grades A (15) and C (2) in 1974 to 1976 were reviewed. Group A consisted of 12 subjects 29 ± 8 years of age and paralyzed 1week to 5 months (median, 1 month). Group B consisted of 5 subjects 46 ± 17 years of age and paralyzed 24 to 96 months (median, 36 months). Group B subjects were older and paralyzed longer than Group A. Group C consisted of 4 able-bodied control subjects enrolled at the same time for FHL studies, and these subjects were 34 to 38 years of age.

Results: FHL was 61 ± 14 hours for all SCI subjects and 95 ± 23 hours for Group C (P = 0.001). Group A FHL was 59 ± 16 hours, and FUT was positive in 8 of 12 subjects. Group B FHL was 66 ±7 hours, and FUT was positive in 3 of 4 subjects (1 FUT not done; P= 0.30 and 1.0, respectively).

Conclusions: Fibrinogen metabolism was abnormal in patients with acute SCI at high risk for pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) but continued to be abnormal beyond the high risk period for PE, possibly because of the greater age of the patients in the long-term paralysis group.     

Surgical Treatment for Prostate Cancer in Patients With Prior Spinal Cord Injury

Background Limited published information is available concerning the clinical course of spinal cord–injured (SCI) patients who develop prostate carcinoma and subsequently undergo radical surgery. We hypothesized that the choice of surgical treatment and the technical conduct of radical surgery would be influenced by sequelae of SCI and that poorer outcomes would result in this population as compared with neurally intact patients.Methods A nationwide study was conducted of all SCI veterans receiving care at Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers who subsequently developed prostate carcinoma and underwent curative-intent radical operations between 1993 and 2002. Only patients with complete SCI due to trauma who met American Spinal Injury Association type A criteria were analyzed. The unpaired t-test was used to analyze data.Results Of 16,878 patients who underwent radical operations for prostate cancer, 55 had preexisting diagnostic codes for SCI. After record review, 14 met all inclusion criteria. The mean age was 57 years. All were asymptomatic with clinically organ-confined disease diagnosed by an increased prostate-specific antigen level or abnormal digital rectal examination results. Comorbid conditions were present in 9 (69%) of 13 patients. Twelve underwent radical prostatectomy, and two underwent cystoprostatectomy. There were no operative deaths, but 8 (57%) of 14 had complications (P < .05). The mean length of stay (16 days) was significantly longer (P < .05) than in neurally intact patients.Conclusions SCI patients tended to be younger than neurally intact patients with prostate cancer, and the rate of cystoprostatectomy was high. The complication rate was significantly higher and the hospital stay was significantly longer than in neurally intact patients.     

颈脊髓损伤后外科干预时机的选择

目的探讨颈脊髓损伤后外科干预的时机。方法将53例颈脊髓损伤,按伤后手术时间分24h内手术组(A组)、25～72h组(B组)、3～7d组(C组)、8～14d组(D组);按脊髓损伤严重程度分脊髓严重损伤组、脊髓损伤组,通过ASIA评分评定神经功能。结果各组术后ASIA评分均增高,A组最高,B组在术后1、3个月ASIA评分高于C组,但末次随访两组无差异。脊髓严重损伤组ASIA评分均明显低于脊髓损伤组。结论颈脊髓损伤患者入院后,应充分评估病情,对颈髓不完全损伤者宜3d内手术,24h内手术更好;如为脊髓严重损伤者,宜在7d左右手术。     

脊柱外伤的MRI表现

本文报告了50例急、慢性脊柱外伤病人MRI的检查结果,描述了15例急性期脊髓损伤后水肿和出血的MRI信号改变和35例慢性期脊髓损伤后脊髓囊变、纤维化和脊髓萎缩的MR信号改变。探讨不同MR信号与预后的关系。     

脊髓损伤大鼠脊髓组织的病理形态学观察

目的：研究脊髓损伤（SCI）用高压氧（HBO）处理后脊髓的病理学变化。方法：用SD大鼠复制SCI模型，0．1MPa和0．25MPaHBO处理后，取损伤脊髓作HE染色。结果：正常对照组脊髓结构完整，细胞形态正常，分布均匀，胞膜，胞核正常，组织间隙正常，单纯损伤组示组织出血，疏松水肿，细胞空泡变性，神经纤维溶解，消失；处理后，0．25MPaHBO组及0．25MPaHBO＋激素（L，M）组脊髓恢复最明显，组织水肿，细胞空泡变性减轻，细胞形态恢复，结构排列完整，结论：HBO治疗可明显阻止或减轻脊髓损伤的病理变化，有利于脊髓功能的恢复。     

脊髓损伤病人的运动功能评定

目的 脊髓损伤（ＳＣＩ）病人的分级多采用Ｆｒａｎｋｅｌ分级标准,我们根据２６０例ＳＣＩ病人的观察,认为对病人活动功能影响最大的最运动功能与排尿功能,且上肢与下肢评级标准不尽相同,从而对分级提出改进意见。方法 本组２６０例, 伤后观察时间达１以上者１５６例,占６０％。损伤部位：Ｃ３－４￣Ｔ１ ９０例,Ｔ ２￣１０ ３７例,Ｔ１１￣Ｌ１ １０５例,Ｌ２－３ ２８例。脊髓损伤类型：完全截瘫１６９例,不全     

A Simplified Pharmacologic Erection Program for Patients with Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Intracavernosal injection (ICI) of vasoactive agents has been successfully used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). The authors’ pharmacologic erection program, using a fixed combination of prostaglandin El (PGE1) and papaverine, is notable for its simplicity and acceptance by patients who have suffered spinal cord injuries (SCIs).

Methods: Patients undergo baseline questionnaire, physical examination, and hormone profile followed by instruction and injection of a fixed combination of PGE1 and papaverine. On successive visits, the patient injects himself and the dosage is titrated until a satisfactory erection is obtained. Patients who do not respond to injection of 1.0 cc are considered treatment failures. Patients return periodically for routine follow-up.

Results: From May 1994 to March 1997, 37 patients with SCI underwent initial evaluation and 28 (76%) responded to injection therapy and were successfully using self-injection therapy at 3-month follow-up. Twenty-three patients are still on injection therapy. Five patients have dropped out for several reasons including a lack of a current sexual partner (60%) and pain with injection (40%). Patient age ranges from 24 to 72. The dosage range was 0.10 to 0.50 cc (mean = 0.29 cc). The average duration of erection was 43 minutes. At 3-month follow-up, 85% of the patients rated their erections as good or excellent. Forty-three percent of patients are using ICI 1 or more times per week. Seventy-seven percent of patients are moderately or extremely satisfied with their treatment and 89% said that they would recommend this program to a friend.

Conclusions: This simplified pharmacologic erection program offers safe, well accepted, and effective therapy for ED to a SCI population with very high patient satisfaction.     

Shoulder Emg During Depression Raise In Men With Spinal Cord Injury: The Influence Of Lesion Level

Abstract

Background & Objective: The depression-style raise maneuver is commonly performed by persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) to relieve skin pressures and avoid skin ulceration. The demands of this critical activity, however, are not fully documented for individuals with higher spinal cord lesions. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the influence of SCI lesion level on shoulder muscle activity during a depression raise maneuver.

Experimental Design: Sample of convenience, group comparison.

Methods: Fine-wire intramuscular electrodes recorded electromyographic (EMG) activity from 1 2 shoulder muscles in 57 men with SCI while they performed depression raises (C6 tetraplegia, n = 1 0; C7 tetraplegia, n = 1 8; high paraplegia, n = 1 6; low paraplegia, n = 1 3). EMG intensity was normalized to a manual muscle test (MMT) effort.

Results: For persons with paraplegia and C7 tetraplegia, dominant EMG activity was recorded from latissimus dorsi, sternal pectoralis major, and triceps muscles (31 %-69% MMT) . Tetraplegic groups had significantly greater anterior deltoid activity (C6 = 53%, C7 = 22% MMT) than that recorded in paraplegic groups (high paraplegia = 1 0%, low paraplegia = 3% MMT). Participants with tetraplegia also had increased infraspinatus activity (C6 = 50%, C7 = 32% MMT) compared with participants with low paraplegia (7% MMT). All other muscles had low or very low EMG activity during the depression raise.

Conclusions: Persons with tetraplegia lack normal strength of the primary muscles used by participants with paraplegia for the depression raise (ie, latissimus dorsi, sternal pectoralis major, and triceps muscles) . Although increased anterior deltoid activation assisted with elbow extension, it potentially contributes to glenohumeral joint impingement. Alternate methods of pressure relief should be considered for persons with tetraplegia.

J Spinal Cord Med. 2003;26:59-64     

Diagnostic Pitfalls: Case Report Of Scurvy In A Man With Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Background: A 49-year-old man with spinal cord injury (SCI) developed a progressive purpuric rash and painful swelling of the lower extremities, in addition to chronic purpura over the ischial tuberosities.

Design: Case report

Findings: Following an extensive workup for presumed vasculitis, a skin biopsy showed evidence of scurvy. Risk facto rs for scurvy included limited means of transportation, living alone, and alcohol abuse.

Conclusions: Scurvy can be confused with disorders common among SCI patients, such as vasculitis, venous thrombosis, occult trauma, and pressure injury. Scurvy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of skin lesions, especially in individuals who abuse alcohol and live alone.     

Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Adults With Spinal Cord Injury

Background/Objective: To document the relationship between level of physical activity and quality of life in persons with spinal cord injury.

Design: Cross-sectional investigation.

Participants/Methods: Men (n = 32) and women (n = 30) with complete and incomplete spinal cord lesions below C6 volunteered to participate in this study. The average length of time since the onset of disability was 9 years (range, 1.5-40 years). Using an interview-formatted survey (Quality of Well-Being Scale), a measure of quality of life was obtained for each participant. Physical activity levels were determined using the Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities.

Results: A strong positive association (r= 0.75; P < 0.05) was observed between level of physical activity and quality of life. Multiple regression analysis also showed that when level of physical activity, anatomical location of the injury, completeness of injury, and time since injury were used as explanatory variables, level of physical activity was the only significant predictor of quality of life, accounting for 56% of the total variation in quality of life.

Conclusions: Results from this study show that a significant and moderately strong positive relationship exists between level of physical activity and quality of life in adults with spinal cord injury. From a clinical perspective, these findings suggest that interventions aimed at promoting physical activity may be effective in improving quality of life in this population.     

Five-Year Longitudinal Bone Evaluations in Individuals With Chronic Complete Spinal Cord Injury

Background/Objectives:     

Survey of Use of the Insufflator-Exsufflator in Patients With Spinal Cord injury

Abstract

Background/Objective: The insufflator-exsufflator has been shown to be effective in assisting cough in individuals with spinal cord injury. However, many institutions do not use this device. The study was performed to assess use of the device and attitudes among health care providers.

Methods: We developed a questionnaire with 4 categories of questions: knowledge of the device, type of facility, clinical practice with the device, and patient and provider satisfaction. The questionnaire was mailed to members of the American Paraplegia Society.

Results: Eighty-six questionnaires (16%) were returned. The device was being used in 49% of the institutions. The device was most commonly used with a tracheostomy; use did not correlate with size or type of facility. Patient and provider satisfaction with the insufflator-exsufflator was high.

Conclusions: The insufflator-exsufflator is used as a means of removal of secretions in approximately one half of institutions polled. Satisfaction with the device is high.