Rehabilitation of Patients with Nontraumatic Spinal Cord Injury in the Netherlands: Etiology, Length of Stay, and Functional Outcome

Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2013 · DOI: 10.1310/sci1903-195 · Published: June 1, 2013

Simple Explanation

This study examines patients with spinal cord injuries that were not caused by trauma. It seeks to understand how the causes of these injuries affect how long patients stay in the hospital and how well they recover. The study found that spinal degeneration, tumors, and vascular disease were the most common causes of nontraumatic spinal cord injuries. The length of stay in the rehabilitation center and the functional outcome varied depending on the cause of the injury. Despite the different causes, all patient groups showed improvement during their time in inpatient rehabilitation. This suggests that rehabilitation is beneficial for patients with nontraumatic spinal cord injuries, regardless of the cause.

Study Duration

5 years (2006-2010)

Participants

124 patients with nontraumatic spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Spinal degeneration, tumor, and vascular disease were the most common causes of NTSCI.
2
Etiology was a significant predictor of LOS and functional status at admission and discharge.
3
All etiology groups improved during inpatient rehabilitation.

Research Summary

This retrospective study investigated the etiology, length of stay (LOS), and functional outcome of 124 patients with nontraumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI) who underwent inpatient rehabilitation in the Netherlands between 2006 and 2010. The most frequent etiologies were degeneration (25.8%), vascular disease (21.8%), benign tumor (16.1%), and malignant tumor (15.3%). Median LOS in inpatient rehabilitation was 61.0 days. Etiology was a significant predictor of LOS and functional status at admission and discharge, but not of functional improvement during inpatient rehabilitation. All etiology groups improved during inpatient rehabilitation.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Planning

Understanding the influence of NTSCI etiology on LOS and functional outcome can help professionals in planning rehabilitation programs tailored to specific patient groups.

Resource Allocation

The study highlights the importance of providing rehabilitation services for patients with NTSCI, especially as the incidence of age-related causes is expected to increase.

Prognosis Prediction

Etiology can be used as a factor in predicting the expected LOS and functional status at admission and discharge for patients with NTSCI.

Study Limitations

1
Retrospective character of the study leading to potential inaccuracies from incomplete documentation.
2
Small sample size per etiology group, limiting statistical power.
3
Uncertainty whether patients from this center are representative of the greater Dutch NTSCI population.

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