Journal CME, February 2023: Changes over 6 years in secondary health conditions and activity limitations in older adults aging with long-term spinal cord injury-Journal CME, February 2023: Changes over 6 years in secondary health conditions andactivity limitations in older adults aging with long-termspinal cord injury

Journal CME, February 2023: Changes over 6 years in secondary health conditions andactivity limitations in older adults aging with long-termspinal cord injury

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The study by Mikael Waller et al. examines the changes in secondary health conditions (SHCs) and activity limitations over six years in older adults with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI). Conducted under the Swedish Aging with Spinal Cord Injury Study (SASCIS), the study involved 78 participants, initially assessed between 2011 and 2012 and reassessed between 2017 and 2018. These participants had an average age of 68 years and an average time since injury of 31 years.<br /><br />Key findings over the six years included:<br />- An increase in bowel-related problems from 31% to 47% and a doubling in constipation occurrences from 12% to 24%.<br />- Frequent urinary tract infections rose from 10% to 26%, alongside increased use of indwelling urinary catheters from 15% to 23%.<br />- Spasticity occurrences surged from 41% to 62%, while pain remained largely unchanged, maintaining a high prevalence of 85%.<br />- Activity limitations, measured by the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM III), increased, with the total score declining from a mean of 67 to 61.<br /><br />The study highlighted that males experienced a greater increase in bowel-related issues, and those with longer injury durations and traumatic injuries demonstrated significant decreases in self-care abilities.<br /><br />Strengths of the study include its longitudinal design and use of reliable assessment tools, although its relatively small sample size and the reliance on self-reported data were noted as limitations. The findings underscore the importance of proactive, holistic long-term follow-ups to support healthy aging in individuals with SCI.<br /><br />The research contributes to understanding the natural aging process and SHC progression in this population, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and regular monitoring to mitigate deteriorations in function and promote overall well-being.

Keywords

Spinal Cord Injury

Secondary Health Conditions

Activity Limitations

Aging

Longitudinal Study

SASCIS

Bowel-related Problems

Urinary Tract Infections

Spasticity

Self-care Abilities