Model System:

SCI

Reference Type:

JA

Accession No.:

J43095.

Journal:


Journal of Neurotrauma

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 16, 9, 805-815.

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study examines the effects of age on neurologic and functional outcome, hospitalization length of stay (LOS), and hospital charges after spinal cord injury (SCI). Two thousand one hundred sixty-nine consecutive patients with paraplegia were assessed in acute care and inpatient rehabilitation. Outcome measures included the American Spinal Cord Injury Association (ASIA) motor index score, the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), LOS, discharge disposition, and hospital charges. Age differences were examined by separating the sample into 11 age categories for analysis. Significant differences between age categories were found for the following treatment measures: ASIA motor index scores at acute-care admission and at discharge, rehabilitation LOS, inpatient rehabilitation charges, total LOS, total hospitalization charges, FIM scores at inpatient rehabilitation admission and discharge, FIM change, and FIM efficiency. Findings indicate that age appears to adversely affect functional outcome, rehabilitation LOS, and hospital costs.

Author(s):


Cifu, David X., Huang, Mark E., Kolakowsky-Hayner, Stephanie A., Seel, Ron T.

Participating Centers: