Original Article

Spinal Cord (2007) 45, 664–670; doi:10.1038/sj.sc.3102037; published online 13 February 2007

Paraplegia: a postal survey of morbidity trends in India

N Gupta1, J Solomon1 and K Raja1

1Department of Physiotherapy, Manipal College of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal, Karnataka, India

Correspondence: N Gupta, Department of Physiotherapy, Sardar Bhagwan Singh Post-Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Research, Balawala, Dehradun, India

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Abstract

Study design:

 

Postal survey from August 2004 to May 2006.

Objective:

 

To ascertain the morbidity trends in individuals with paraplegia in India and to find its association with demographic characteristics.

Settings:

 

India.

Methods:

 

The questionnaire was mailed to the identified individuals (n=600) whose addresses were obtained from the medical records section of our hospital and by contacting non-government organizations (NGOs), working for individuals with paraplegia in various cities. The causes of morbidities surveyed were respiratory complications, use of catheter, pressure sores, spasticity, postural hypotension, pain and fractures. Data were analysed using nonparametric test of association (Goodman Kruskal Tau).

Results:

 

A total of 276 (46%) individuals responded. Of all the morbidities studied, pain was the leading cause (57.2%) followed by spasticity (39.1%), pressure sore (28.3%), postural hypotension (10.1%), respiratory complications, and fractures (5.8%). We found significant associations between various morbidities and demographics and between morbidities themselves.

Conclusion:

 

The most common cause for morbidity was pain. Ambulation reduced the incidence of secondary complications.

Sponsorship:

 

This study was funded in part by Indian Association of Physiotherapists.

Keywords:

morbidities, pain, spasticity, pressure sore, spinal cord injury

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