Differences in personal characteristics and health outcomes between ambulatory and non-ambulatory adults with traumatic spinal cord injury

This study looks at how personal traits and health results differ between adults with long-term spinal cord injuries who can walk and those who cannot. The research involved following a group of adults with spinal cord injuries over time and linking their information to state records of hospital billing. The goal was to see if being able to walk is connected to different health issues and how often people go to the hospital.

• 1
  Ambulatory adults had fewer ED visits, IP admissions through the ED, IP only admissions and spent fewer days in the hospital compared to non-ambulatory adults.
• 2
  Ambulatory adults were more likely to be white, married, living in urban locations, and have higher incomes, but also reported higher rates of depression and chronic conditions.
• 3
  Ambulatory adults reported needing less physical assistance and spent more time out of bed and out of the house, but also reported more days that pain interfered with their usual activities.