Is Home Care Use Associated With Secondary Health Conditions in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury? Findings From a Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Objective: The aims of the study are to describe the use of professional home care in persons with spinal cord injury over a 10-yr period from 2012 to 2022 and to examine how the use of home care is associated with the future occurrence of secondary health conditions and hospitalizations.

Design: This is a longitudinal questionnaire survey as part of the Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Cohort Study, conducted in 2012, 2017, and 2022.

Results: There were 1549, 1294, and 1158 participants in the three surveys in 2012, 2017, and 2022. The percentage of home care users decreased from 23% in 2012 to 22% in 2017 and 19% in 2022. Fewer home care recipients reported pain (odds ratio 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.29-0.94), with no reductions in other secondary health conditions, 5 yrs later. Study participants who received home care were more likely to be hospitalized (odds ratio 1.89, 95% confidence interval 1.05-3.42), 5 yrs later.

Conclusions: There is a declining trend in the use of home care services among persons with SCI. While home care is associated with lesser development of pain, it does not generally reduce secondary health conditions. Individuals who receive home care are significantly more likely to report hospitalization 5 yrs later.