Early Trauma Predictors of Mobility in People with Spinal Cord Injury

Study Design.A retrospective cohort study.Objective.This study aims to assess the potential value of very early trauma variables such as Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) and the Injury Severity Score for predicting independent ambulation following a traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI).Summary of Background Data.Several models for prediction of ambulation early after TSCI have been published and validated. The vast majority rely on the initial examination of American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale and level of injury; however, in many locations and clinical situations this examination is not feasible early after the injury.Methods.Patient characteristics, trauma data, and ASIA scores on admission to rehabilitation were collected for each of the 144 individuals in the study. Outcome measure was the indoor mobility item of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure taken upon discharge from rehabilitation. Univariate and multivariable models were created for each predictor, Odds ratios (ORs) were obtained by a multivariable logistic regression analysis, and area under the receiver operator curve was calculated for each model.Results.We observed a significant correlation between the trauma variables and independent ambulation upon discharge from rehabilitation. Of the early variables, the AIS for the spine region showed the strongest correlation.Conclusion.These findings support using preliminary trauma variables for early prognostication of ambulation following a TSCI, allowing for tailored individual interventions.Level of Evidence: 3.