Prevalence of Antibiotic Allergy at a Spinal Cord Injury Center.

Background: Infectious diseases are the most common reason for rehospitalization in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Persons with SCI are at high risk for antibiotic over-use and hospital-acquired infection due to chronic bacteriuria, frequent health care exposure, implanted medical devices, and other factors. We aimed to record the percentage of subjects from the local SCI registry with an antibiotic allergy, the most common antibiotic classes responsible for the allergy, and allergic reactions.

Prevalence and Predictors of Lower Limb Amputation in the Spinal Cord Injury Population.

Background: Despite limited data demonstrating altered hemodynamics in the lower extremities (LEs) among the population with spinal cord injury (SCI) and increased frequency of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), epidemiologic data are limited for amputations, a potential consequence. This study investigates the association of amputation due to vascular complications as a secondary outcome measure within the SCI population.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed within a veteran population with SCI at a US Department of Veteran Affairs hospital to determine the prevalence of limb loss.