Prognostic value of early leukocyte fluctuations for recovery from traumatic spinal cord injury

Model System:

SCI

Reference Type:

Journal article

Accession No.:

J89298

Journal:

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2021 , 11, 1, e272

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study explored relationships between early changes in circulating white blood cells (WBCs), injury characteristics, and long-term patient outcomes in individuals admitted to the hospital with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Data were obtained from 161 SCI patients admitted to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital (exploration cohort). Logistic regression models in conjunction with receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to assess the strength of specific links between the WBC response, respiratory infection incidence, and neurological outcomes (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale [AIS] grade conversion). An independent validation cohort of 49 patients from the Trauma Hospital Berlin in Germany was then probed to assess the robustness of effects and disentangle center effects. Results identified acute neutrophilia as a negative predictor for patient outcomes, the occurrence of which reduces the likelihood of AIS grade conversion. SCI-induced lymphopenia was separately identified as an independent predictor of better recovery. Acute neutrophilia and increased neutrophil-lymphocyte ratios were otherwise significantly associated with respiratory infection presentation in both patient cohorts. Findings demonstrate the prognostic value of modelling early circulating neutrophil and lymphocyte counts with patient characteristics for predicting the longer-term recovery after SCI.

Author(s):