Exploring lifestyle components and associated factors in newly injured individuals with spinal cord injury

Spinal Cord, 2024 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41393-024-01039-9 · Published: October 8, 2024

Spinal Cord Injury Cardiovascular Science

Simple Explanation

This study examines the lifestyle habits of people shortly after a spinal cord injury. It looks at factors like weight, diet, alcohol use, smoking, and physical activity. The research aims to understand how common unhealthy habits are in this group and what personal characteristics might influence these habits. The goal is to identify ways to help people with SCI adopt healthier lifestyles early in their recovery.

Study Duration

Cross-sectional

Participants

251 newly injured individuals with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
A significant proportion of newly injured individuals with SCI had overweight/obesity, particularly the elderly and those with non-traumatic SCI.
2
Alcohol consumption was prevalent among the study participants, with a notable portion consuming alcohol daily.
3
Women were more likely to have healthier lifestyle habits and less likely to consume alcohol or have a poor diet compared to men.

Research Summary

This study describes five lifestyle components in individuals newly injured with SCI and explores the co-occurrence of these components and associated personal and clinical factors. The study found that overweight/obesity, low nutrition scores, and alcohol consumption often co-occurred, indicating that these factors require special attention during the initial phase of injury recovery. The study concludes that men, older adults, and individuals with lower education levels may struggle to adhere to healthy lifestyle guidelines and could benefit from structured strategies.

Practical Implications

Early Screening

Implement early screening strategies for lifestyle risk factors throughout the continuum of SCI care.

Targeted Interventions

Develop targeted interventions for men, older adults, and individuals with lower education levels to improve adherence to healthy lifestyle recommendations.

Integrated Approach

Focus on interventions integrating multiple lifestyle components to create personalized, sustainable strategies for disease prevention.

Study Limitations

1
The response rate to participation in the SwiSCI study was around 48%, potentially limiting the generalizability of the findings.
2
The assessment of lifestyle components is based on self-reported information, introducing the possibility of recall bias.
3
The lifestyle factors were measured around twelve weeks post-injury, without information on lifestyle components prior to the injury.

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