Do Individuals from an SCI-specialized Rehabilitation Facility Have Fewer Secondary Health Conditions Than Those from a Non-SCI-specialized Rehabilitation Facility? Analysis of the InSCI Database from a Middle-income Country

Overview

Journal J Spinal Cord Med

Date 2024 Jan 22

PMID 38251980

Authors

Sintip Pattanakuhar

Pratchayapon Kammuang-Lue

Napasakorn Komaratat

Chayaporn Chotiyarnwong

Apichana Kovindha

Armin Gemperli

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether attending an SCI-specialized rehabilitation facility (SSRF) is independently associated with having fewer secondary health conditions (SHCs) in middle-income country contexts.

Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Setting: Four rehabilitation facilities in Thailand (one SSRF and three non-SSRF).

Methods: Data from a Thai arm of the International Spinal Cord Injury Community Survey (InSCI) were analyzed. SHCs occurring within the last three months were evaluated using the Spinal Cord Injury Secondary Condition Scale. A causal diagram was applied to create a multivariable regression model to determine the independent effect of attending in the SSRF on having SHC as a single condition and as a sum score.

Results: Three hundred and thirteen individuals with chronic SCI were included in this study. Two hundred and nineteen participants (70%) were recruited from the SSRF. Being recruited from the SSRF was an independent negative correlating factor of the SHC sum score with an unstandardized coefficient of -1.12 (95% CI: -2.00-0.24). Being recruited from the SSRF was also an independent negative correlating factor of having bladder dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, and pressure ulcer SHC with an odds ratio of 0.32 (95% CI: 0.16-0.59), 0.43 (95% CI: 0.22-0.84), and 0.46 (95% CI: 0.24-0.89), respectively.

Conclusion: Attending an SSRF was significantly associated with having fewer SHCs, specifically, bladder dysfunctions, sexual dysfunctions, and pressure ulcers. These results suggest the importance of having SSRF in middle-income countries for delivering effective care to people with SCI and standardized education to health care providers.

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