Secondary health conditions and quality of life in persons living with spinal cord injury for at least ten years.

Objectives: To describe the prevalence of secondary health conditions among persons with long-term spinal cord injury, and the relationship between these secondary health conditions and quality of life.

Design: Multicentre, cross-sectional study.

Subjects: Individuals (n = 282) with traumatic or non-traumatic spinal cord injury for ≥ 10 years, age at injury 18-35 years, current age 28-65 years, and using a wheelchair.

Prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors in people with long-term spinal cord injury living in the Netherlands.

Purpose: To describe the prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors in people with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI) and to compare the prevalence of high blood pressure and/or the use of antihypertensive drugs with the prevalence in the Dutch general population.

Method: Multicentre cross-sectional study (N = 282). Hypertension was defined as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of ≥140 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of ≥90 mmHg after ≥2 blood pressure measurements during ≥2 doctor visits.

Bladder-emptying methods, neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction and impact on quality of life in people with long-term spinal cord injury.

Objectives: To describe bladder-emptying methods used by people with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI) and to determine usage differences in relation to time since injury, sex, lesion level and completeness of lesion. Furthermore, to evaluate the relationship between bladder-emptying methods and the impact of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) on quality of life (QoL).

Design: Cross-sectional multicenter study.

Outcomes of neurogenic bowel management in individuals living with a spinal cord injury for at least 10 years.

Objective: To describe bowel management and its outcomes in individuals living with a spinal cord injury (SCI) for at least 10 years.

Design: Cross-sectional multicenter study.

Setting: Dutch community.

Diagnostic accuracy of Tc-99m DMSA scintigraphy and renal ultrasonography for detecting renal scarring and relative function in patients with spinal dysraphism.

Aims: To study additional benefits of performing Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (Tc-99m-DMSA) scintigraphy as part of the follow-up of adults with spinal dysraphism (SD), compared with ultrasonography, with regard to finding renal scarring and difference in split renal function.

Methods: Between January 2011 and April 2013 every patient visiting our specialized outpatient clinic for adults with SD was invited to undergo both renal ultrasonography and Tc-99m-DMSA scintigraphy. Outcomes of both modalities were compared, with focus on renal scarring.

Cross-sectional study of determinants of upper and lower urinary tract outcomes in adults with spinal dysraphism--new recommendations for urodynamic followup guidelines?

Purpose: Although annual urodynamic study is currently recommended for all adults with spinal dysraphism, this followup might be overly intensive. Therefore, in this cross-sectional study we examine which determinants of upper and lower urinary tract outcomes are associated with relevant urodynamic findings.

Materials And Methods: All patients visiting our specialized outpatient clinic for adults with spinal dysraphism during a 26-month period underwent evaluation of the lower urinary tract by (video)urodynamic study.

Secondary health conditions in persons with spinal cord injury: a longitudinal study from one to five years post-discharge.

Objective: To assess the occurrence of secondary health conditions and their potential risk factors in persons with spinal cord injury from 1 to 5 years after discharge from initial inpatient rehabilitation.

Design: Multicentre longitudinal study.

Subjects: A total of 139 wheelchair-dependent persons with spinal cord injury.

Paucity of evidence for urinary tract outcomes in closed spinal dysraphism: a systematic review.

Objectives: To describe the long-term upper (UUT) and lower urinary tract (LUT) outcomes in patients with closed spinal dysraphism (CSD). CSD differs from open spinal dysraphism (OSD) by its long asymptomatic course and consequent later diagnosis. The outcome of UUT and LUT function in adults with CSD is relatively unknown.

Rehabilitation of patients with nontraumatic spinal cord injury in the Netherlands: etiology, length of stay, and functional outcome.

Background: Patients with nontraumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI) are different from patients with traumatic spinal cord injury. A better understanding of the characteristics of NTSCI and their influence on length of stay (LOS) and functional outcome might help professionals in planning rehabilitation and predicting outcomes in NTSCI.

Objective: To describe personal and injury characteristics, etiology, LOS, and functional outcome after inpatient rehabilitation in patients with NTSCI.

Medical and psychosocial problems in middle-aged spina bifida patients: survey among members of the Dutch patients' association.

Purpose: To identify physical, emotional and psychosocial issues in the older person with spina bifida (SB).

Method: Members of the Dutch patients' association aged >25 years (n = 184) were asked to complete a questionnaire. This survey contained questions on physical and psychosocial complaints, as well as problems regarding social participation.

Wheelchair exercise capacity in spinal cord injury up to five years after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation.

Objective: To elucidate the course and determinants of wheelchair exercise capacity in spinal cord injury up to 5 years after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation, and to describe loss to follow-up.

Design: Prospective cohort study, with measurements at the start and discharge from inpatient rehabilitation, 1 and 5 years after discharge.

Subjects: A total of 225 wheelchair-dependent persons with spinal cord injury.

Urolithiasis in adult spina bifida patients: study in 260 patients and discussion of the literature.

Purpose: To describe incidence and risk factors of urinary tract stones in adult spina bifida (SB) patients. Although spina bifida patients have an allegedly higher risk of urinary tract stones, only two small non-English case series are available and do not provide adequate epidemiological data and analyses on risk factors.

Methods: A total of 260 adult SB patients followed in our centre for 10 years were retrospectively analysed for stone disease.

Patterns of changes in wheelchair exercise capacity after spinal cord injury.

Objectives: (1) To identify different patterns of changes in wheelchair exercise capacity in the period between the start of active spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation and 5 years after discharge; (2) to examine the pattern determinants of the change in wheelchair exercise capacity.

Design: Prospective cohort study. Measurements were recorded at the start of active inpatient rehabilitation, 3 months after the start, at discharge of inpatient rehabilitation, 1 year after discharge, and 5 years after discharge.

Upper and lower urinary tract outcomes in adult myelomeningocele patients: a systematic review.

Background: The introduction of sophisticated treatment of bladder dysfunction and hydrocephalus allows the majority of SB patients to survive into adulthood. However, no systematic review on urological outcome in adult SB patients is available and no follow-up schemes exist.

Objectives: To systematically summarize the evidence on outcome of urinary tract functioning in adult SB patients.

Enterocystoplasty vs detrusorectomy: outcome in the adult with spina bifida.

Purpose: Bladder augmentation by enterocystoplasty or detrusorectomy might prevent renal damage, help achieve dryness and decrease the need for antimuscarinics. We compared the long-term outcomes of enterocystoplasty and detrusorectomy in adults with spina bifida.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study using the hospital electronic database was performed.

Secondary health conditions in persons with a spinal cord injury for at least 10 years: design of a comprehensive long-term cross-sectional study.

Purpose: To describe the prevalence of secondary health conditions (SHCs) (urinary tract and bowel problems, pressure ulcers, spasticity, musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain, sexual dysfunction, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders) in persons with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI), and to explore the impact of SHCs on fitness, active lifestyle, participation and well-being.

Methods: A time since injury (TSI)-stratified cross-sectional study among 300 persons between 28- and 65-year-old with a SCI for at least 10 years. Strata of TSI are 10-19, 20-29, and 30 or more years.

Life satisfaction in people with spinal cord injury during the first five years after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation.

Purpose: To describe the course of life satisfaction in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) during the first 5 years after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and to examine its determinants.

Methods: Multi-centre prospective cohort study with four measurements, the first at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation, the last 5 years after discharge. Data of 162 persons with SCI were analyzed.

Comparing content of therapy for people with a spinal cord injury in postacute inpatient rehabilitation in Australia, Norway, and The Netherlands.

Background: Research reports have described the contents of therapy in spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation only as the total number of therapy hours. We developed the Spinal Cord Injury-Interventions Classification System (SCI-ICS) as a tool to classify therapy to improve mobility and self-care into 3 levels (body functions, basic activities, and complex activities) and 25 categories.

Objective: The purposes of this study were: (1) to compare specific contents and amount of therapy provided, with the aim of improving mobility and self-care for people with SCI in Australia, Norway, and the Netherlands and (2) to evaluate the use of the SCI-ICS outside the Netherlands.

Chronic spinal cord injury pain: pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments and treatment effectiveness.

Purpose: To describe pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain treatments used for chronic spinal cord injury pain (CSCIP) and current treatment effectiveness in a large Dutch population with a spinal cord injury (SCI).

Method: Postal survey among 575 persons with SCI. The main outcome measures were the pain intensity score of the Chronic Pain Grade questionnaire, past and current pain treatments, and perceived effectiveness of current pain treatments.

Contents of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and sports therapy sessions for patients with a spinal cord injury in three Dutch rehabilitation centres.

Purpose: To describe the contents of interventions to improve self-care and mobility for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) in early post-acute rehabilitation, using the Spinal Cord Injury-Interventions Classification System (SCI-ICS), and to compare these interventions between rehabilitation centres. The SCI-ICS describes therapy to improve self-care and mobility at three levels of functioning and consists of 25 categories with a total of 139 different interventions.

Methods: Fifty-three physical therapists, occupational therapists and sports therapists of three Dutch SCI rehabilitation centres recorded interventions with the SCI-ICS for patients with SCI in early post-acute rehabilitation for four consecutive weeks.

Social support and life satisfaction in spinal cord injury during and up to one year after inpatient rehabilitation.

Objective: To describe the course of social support in persons with recently acquired spinal cord injury, and to examine direct and indirect relationships between social support and life satisfaction over time.

Design: A multi-centre prospective cohort study with measurements at the start of active rehabilitation, at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and one year after discharge.

Subjects: One hundred and ninety individuals with spinal cord injury from 8 Dutch rehabilitation centres.

Recovery of life satisfaction in persons with spinal cord injury during inpatient rehabilitation.

Objective: To determine the course of life satisfaction of persons with spinal cord injury and its determinants during inpatient rehabilitation and up to 1 yr after discharge.

Design: Prospective cohort study of 222 persons with spinal cord injury. Measurements at the start of active rehabilitation, after 3 mos, at discharge, and 1 yr after discharge.

Reliability of a new classification system for mobility and self-care in spinal cord injury rehabilitation: the Spinal Cord Injury-Interventions Classification System.

Objective: To investigate the reliability of the Dutch version of the Spinal Cord Injury-Interventions Classification System.

Design: Descriptive study.

Setting: Three Dutch spinal cord injury facilities.

Investigation of bias due to loss of participants in a Dutch multicentre prospective spinal cord injury cohort study.

Objective: To determine bias due to loss of participants (attrition bias) in a prospective cohort study.

Design: A multi-centre prospective cohort study.

Subjects: A total of 225 individuals with a spinal cord injury from 8 Dutch rehabilitation centres.