Musculoskeletal Morbidity Among Adults Living With Spina Bifida and Cerebral Palsy

Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2022 · DOI: 10.46292/sci21-00078 · Published: July 1, 2022

Neurology Rehabilitation Musculoskeletal Medicine

Simple Explanation

This study looks at the occurrence of musculoskeletal (MSK) issues like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) or spina bifida (SB) compared to those without these conditions. The researchers found that adults with CP or SB are more likely to experience MSK problems. This suggests a need for better screening and early interventions for these individuals. The findings highlight the importance of clinical awareness and coordinated care to reduce the burden of bone, muscle, and joint disorders in adults living with CP and SB.

Study Duration

4 Years

Participants

15,302 adults with CP or SB and 1,935,480 adults without CP or SB

Evidence Level

Level 3, Retrospective longitudinal cohort study

Key Findings

1
Adults with CP or SB had a significantly higher incidence of any MSK morbidity (55.3% vs. 39.0%) compared to controls.
2
Fully adjusted survival models showed that adults with CP or SB had a greater hazard for all MSK disorders, with hazard ratios ranging from 1.40 for myalgia to 3.23 for sarcopenia and weakness.
3
Sarcopenia had the highest hazard ratio of all MSK disorders at 3.23, indicating a significant concern for muscle loss in adults with CP or SB.

Research Summary

The study compared the incidence of musculoskeletal (MSK) morbidities in adults with and without cerebral palsy (CP) or spina bifida (SB) using a large insurance claims database. Results showed that adults with CP or SB had a significantly higher incidence of various MSK conditions, including osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and myalgia. The findings suggest a need for improved clinical screening and early interventions to reduce the risk of MSK disease onset/progression in adults with CP or SB.

Practical Implications

Improved Clinical Screening

Enhance clinical screening strategies to identify MSK disorders early in adults with CP and SB.

Targeted Interventions

Develop and implement early interventions to reduce the risk of MSK disease onset and progression in these higher-risk populations.

Clinical Awareness

Increase clinical awareness among healthcare providers regarding the MSK disorders experienced by adults living with CP and SB.

Study Limitations

1
The sample may not be representative of the entire U.S. population of adults with CP or SB due to reliance on privately insured individuals.
2
The study could not determine the severity of CP or SB through claims-based data.
3
Combining CP and SB patients into a single cohort may obscure nuanced differences unique to each condition.

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