Patterns of morbidity and rehospitalisation following spinal cord injury

Abstract

Study design: Longitudinal, descriptive design. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency, cause and duration of rehospitalisations in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) living in the community. Setting: Australian spinal cord injury unit in collaboration with State Health Department. Methods: A data set was created by linking records from the NSW Department of Health Inpatient Statistics Collection between 1989–1990 and 1999–2000 with data from the Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) Spinal Cord Injuries Database using probabilistic record linkage techniques. Records excluded were nontraumatic injuries, age P<0.0001). The mean duration to first readmission was 46 months overall, however, differed significantly between persons with ASIA A–C impairments (26–36 months) and ASIA D impairment (60 months). Conclusion: Identifying rates, causes and patterns of morbidity is important for future resource allocation and targeting preventative measures. For instance, the late complication of pressure sores in a small subgroup of young males, consuming disproportionately large resources, warrants further research to better understand the complex psychosocial and environmental factors involved and to develop effective countermeasures.