Changes over 6 years in secondary health conditions and activity limitations in older adults aging with long-term spinal cord injury
(2023) In PM and R 15(2). p.157-167- Abstract
Background: The number of individuals aging with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI) is increasing. Still, there is limited knowledge about changes in secondary health conditions (SHCs) and activity limitations over time. Objectives: To determine changes in SHCs and activity limitations in older adults aging with long-term SCI over 6 years, and to investigate how changes in SHCs and activity limitations are associated with gender, age, and injury characteristics. Design: Longitudinal cohort study from the Swedish Aging with Spinal Cord Injury Study (SASCIS). Setting: Community settings, Sweden. Participants: From the initial 123 participants in the SASCIS: 78 individuals (32% women); mean age 68 years; mean time since injury 31 years;... (More)
Background: The number of individuals aging with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI) is increasing. Still, there is limited knowledge about changes in secondary health conditions (SHCs) and activity limitations over time. Objectives: To determine changes in SHCs and activity limitations in older adults aging with long-term SCI over 6 years, and to investigate how changes in SHCs and activity limitations are associated with gender, age, and injury characteristics. Design: Longitudinal cohort study from the Swedish Aging with Spinal Cord Injury Study (SASCIS). Setting: Community settings, Sweden. Participants: From the initial 123 participants in the SASCIS: 78 individuals (32% women); mean age 68 years; mean time since injury 31 years; injury levels C1-L3, AIS A-D. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure: Bowel and bladder function and problems, pain, spasticity, and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM III). Results: Over 6 years, bowel-related problems increased (31% to 47%, p =.015) and the occurrence of constipation doubled to 24% (p =.013). There were increases in frequent urinary tract infections (10% to 26%, p =.004), use of indwelling urinary catheters (15% to 23%, p =.031), and other bladder-related problems (4% to 22%, p <.001). The occurrence of pain was high (85%), with no significant change. Spasticity increased from 41% to 62% (p <.001). Activity limitations increased (SCIM III total score mean 67 to 61, p <.001, with significant decreases in all subscales). The increase in bowel-related problems was greater in males, and the deterioration in self-care was greater in participants with longer time since injury and with traumatic injuries. Conclusions: These findings support the notion that SHCs and activity limitations increase over time in older adults aging with long-term SCI. The results can inform clinicians and call for a proactive, holistic approach in the long-term follow-up to support healthy and active aging.
(Less)
- author
- Waller, Mikael LU ; Jörgensen, Sophie LU and Lexell, Jan LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2023
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- PM and R
- volume
- 15
- issue
- 2
- pages
- 10 pages
- publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:35092167
- scopus:85126427209
- ISSN
- 1934-1482
- DOI
- 10.1002/pmrj.12776
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 107afeac-8160-4cd9-86ac-3f414e779a5e
- date added to LUP
- 2022-05-10 12:06:49
- date last changed
- 2024-04-18 07:17:55
@article{107afeac-8160-4cd9-86ac-3f414e779a5e,
abstract = {{<p>Background: The number of individuals aging with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI) is increasing. Still, there is limited knowledge about changes in secondary health conditions (SHCs) and activity limitations over time. Objectives: To determine changes in SHCs and activity limitations in older adults aging with long-term SCI over 6 years, and to investigate how changes in SHCs and activity limitations are associated with gender, age, and injury characteristics. Design: Longitudinal cohort study from the Swedish Aging with Spinal Cord Injury Study (SASCIS). Setting: Community settings, Sweden. Participants: From the initial 123 participants in the SASCIS: 78 individuals (32% women); mean age 68 years; mean time since injury 31 years; injury levels C1-L3, AIS A-D. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure: Bowel and bladder function and problems, pain, spasticity, and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM III). Results: Over 6 years, bowel-related problems increased (31% to 47%, p =.015) and the occurrence of constipation doubled to 24% (p =.013). There were increases in frequent urinary tract infections (10% to 26%, p =.004), use of indwelling urinary catheters (15% to 23%, p =.031), and other bladder-related problems (4% to 22%, p <.001). The occurrence of pain was high (85%), with no significant change. Spasticity increased from 41% to 62% (p <.001). Activity limitations increased (SCIM III total score mean 67 to 61, p <.001, with significant decreases in all subscales). The increase in bowel-related problems was greater in males, and the deterioration in self-care was greater in participants with longer time since injury and with traumatic injuries. Conclusions: These findings support the notion that SHCs and activity limitations increase over time in older adults aging with long-term SCI. The results can inform clinicians and call for a proactive, holistic approach in the long-term follow-up to support healthy and active aging.</p>}},
author = {{Waller, Mikael and Jörgensen, Sophie and Lexell, Jan}},
issn = {{1934-1482}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{2}},
pages = {{157--167}},
publisher = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
series = {{PM and R}},
title = {{Changes over 6 years in secondary health conditions and activity limitations in older adults aging with long-term spinal cord injury}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.12776}},
doi = {{10.1002/pmrj.12776}},
volume = {{15}},
year = {{2023}},
}