Caregiving for People With Spinal Cord Injury Undergoing Upper Extremity Reconstructive Surgery: A Prospective Exploration of Lived Experiences, Perioperative Care, and Change Across Time.

Background: Nerve transfer (NT) and tendon transfer (TT) surgeries can enhance upper extremity (UE) function and independence in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). Caregivers are needed to make this surgery possible, yet caregivers experience their own set of challenges. Objectives: This comparative study explored the perioperative and nonoperative experiences of caregivers of individuals with cervical SCI, focusing on daily life activities, burden, and mental health. Methods: Caregivers of individuals with cervical SCI were recruited and grouped by treatment plan for the person with SCI: (1) no surgery (NS), (2) TT surgery, and (3) NT surgery. Semistructured interviews were conducted at baseline/preoperative, early follow-up/postoperative, and late follow-up/postoperative. Caregivers were asked about their daily life, mental health, and challenges related to caregiving. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Quantitative, single-item standardized burden score (0-100) data were collected at each timepoint. Results: Participants included 23 caregivers (18 family members, 4 friends, 1 hired professional). The surgeries often brought hope and motivation for caregivers. Caregivers reported increased burden immediately following surgery (less for the NT compared to TT subgroup) yet no long-term changes in the amount and type of care they provided. NS caregivers discussed social isolation, relationship dysfunction, and everyday challenges. Conclusion: Health care providers should consider the changing needs of SCI caregivers during perioperative rehabilitation. As part of the shared surgical decision-making approach, providers should educate caregivers about the postoperative process and the extent and potential variability of short- and long-term care needs.

Predictors of activation among persons with spinal cord injury during hospitalization: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: To test the contributions of self-efficacy, resilience, social support, and negative moods (i.e., anxiety, depression) to patient activation among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: One hundred and twenty-two participants with SCI were recruited from the spinal surgery department at a large general hospital. During the period before discharge after surgery, standardized self-assessment questionnaires were used to collect data on patient activation, self-efficacy, resilience, social support, anxiety, depression, demographics (age, gender, education, marital status), and disease-related information (etiologies, level of injury, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale score). Hierarchical regression analysis, mediation analysis, and moderation analysis were performed in SPSS, Amos, and Jamovi to determine the influencing factors of patient activation. RESULTS: Self-efficacy, resilience, social support, anxiety, and depression uniquely explained 38.2% (p < .001) of the variance in patient activation after controlling for demographic and disease-related covariates. The full model explained 53.7% (p < .001) of the variance in patient activation. In the mediation analysis, self-efficacy, resilience, and social support had partial mediating effects (p < .05). In the moderation analysis, marital status moderated the relationship between self-efficacy and patient activation (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Activation of persons with SCI is a positive psychosocial resource related to higher self-efficacy, resilience, and social support. Marital status may affect activation in persons with SCI. The causal relationship between these psychosocial variables needs to be proved by further intervention studies.

National survey of mental health and suicidal thoughts in people with spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional epidemiological study. OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have quantified longitudinal psychological morbidity in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) relative to uninjured individuals. However, there is limited information regarding how lifestyle and socioeconomic factors are associated with mental health conditions in individuals with SCI. This study aims to quantify and compare mental health and suicidal thoughts in people with and without SCI, and examine the associations between mental health, suicidal thoughts, sex, age, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors. SETTING: Canada. METHODS: The 2010 Canadian Community Health Survey (n > 40,000) was used, which includes several measures assessing mental health and suicidal thoughts. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed and odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were estimated. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of covariates on reported effect sizes. RESULTS: People with SCI had higher odds of having mood (3.6) and anxiety disorders (2.5), suicidal thoughts (2.3), self-perceived stress (1.9), and depression (4.4); in addition to lower odds of having good self-perceived mental health (0.24) and satisfaction with life (0.25). These differences persisted after adjusting for age, sex, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors. Lower household income, fruit and vegetable consumption, and physical activity levels, and increased smoking use were associated with poorer mental health in individuals with SCI. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health is poorer in those with SCI when compared with the general population. Those with SCI exhibit a unique profile of lifestyle and socioeconomic factors that are associated with poorer mental health and increased suicidal thoughts.

Quality of Life in Adult Patients Receiving Cervical Fusion for Fresh Subaxial Cervical Injury: The Role of Associated Spinal Cord Injury.

PURPOSE: To study postoperative Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) after instrumented fusion for fresh subaxial cervical trauma and the effect of spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: From a total of 65 patients, 17 (26%) patients suffered on admission from SCI. Twenty-five patients underwent anterior, 25 posterior, and 15 circumferential cervical surgery for a single cervical injury. Sagittal roentgenographic parameters were measured in 65 age-matched asymptomatic controls and in patients on admission, eight months postoperatively and at final follow-up (lower C2-C7 curvature, cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA), spinocranial angle (SCA), T1-slope, neck tilt (NT), thorax inlet angle (TIA), cervical tilt (CT), cranial tilt (CrT), and occiput-C2 angle (C0-C2)). In the last evaluation, SCI patients were compared with their counterparts without SCI using national validated HRQOL instruments (SF-36 and neck disability index (NDI)). RESULTS: Fusion included an average of 3 vertebrae (range 2-4 vertebrae). All 65 patients were followed for an average of 5.5 years, (range 3-7 years) postoperatively. In the last evaluation, 10 (15.4%) patients with incomplete SCI improved postoperatively at 1-2 grades. At the last observation, patients with SCI showed poorer HRQOL scores than their counterparts without SCI. In particular, each SF-36 domain score was correlated with SCA, T1-slope, cSVA, and CT. At baseline, patients showed higher NT, CrT, and C0-C2 angle than controls. Eight months postoperatively, cSVA, NT, TIA, and cranial tilt (CrT) were increased in patients. In the last observation, there was difference in the sagittal roentgenographic parameters between patients with SCI compared to those without SCI. Patients aged ≥55 years had postoperatively increased cSVA, NT, and CrT compared to their younger counterparts. CONCLUSION: At the final observation, HRQOL scores were lower in patients with SCI than in their non-SCI counterparts, obviously because of the associated neurologic impairment. SF-36 scores correlated with several sagittal roentgenographic parameters. These correlations should be taken in consideration by spine surgeons when performing cervical spine surgery for fresh cervical spine injuries.

Effects of Wearable Powered Exoskeletal Training on Functional Mobility, Physiological Health and Quality of Life in Non-ambulatory Spinal Cord Injury Patients.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious clinical condition that impacts a patient's physical, psychological, and socio-economic status. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of training with a newly developed powered wearable exoskeleton (Hyundai Medical Exoskeleton [H-MEX]) on functional mobility, physiological health, and quality of life in non-ambulatory SCI patients. METHODS: Participants received 60 minutes of walking training with a powered exoskeleton 3 times per week for 10 weeks (total 30 sessions). The 6-minute walking test (6MWT) and timed-up-and-go test (TUGT) were performed to assess ambulatory function. The physiological outcomes of interest after exoskeleton-assisted walking training were spasticity, pulmonary function, bone mineral density, colon transit time, and serum inflammatory markers. Effects of walking training on subjective outcomes were estimated by the Korean version of the Falls Efficacy Scale-International and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey version 2. RESULTS: Ten participants finished 30 sessions of training and could ambulate independently. No severe adverse events were reported during the study. After training, the mean distance walked in the 6MWT (49.13 m) was significantly enhanced compared with baseline (20.65 m). The results of the TUGT also indicated a statistically significant improvement in the times required to stand up, walk 3 m and sit down. Although not statistically significant, clinically meaningful changes in some secondary physiological outcomes and/or quality of life were reported in some participants. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the newly developed wearable exoskeleton, H-MEX is safe and feasible for non-ambulatory SCI patients, and may have potential to improve quality of life of patients by assisting bipedal ambulation. These results suggest that the H-MEX can be considered a beneficial device for chronic non-ambulatory SCI patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04055610.

hucMSCs transplantation promotes locomotor function recovery, reduces apoptosis and inhibits demyelination after SCI in rats.

AIMS: Spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause a variety of cells apoptosis, neurodegeneration, and eventually permanent paralysis. This study aimed to examine whether transplanting human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hucMSCs) can promote locomotor function recovery, reduce apoptosis and inhibit demyelination in SCI models. MAIN METHODS: Rats were allocated into Sham group (spinal cord exposure only), SCI + PBS group (spinal cord impact plus phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) injections), SCI + hucMSCs group (spinal cord impact plus hucMSCs injections) groups. Behavioral tests, Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotion scores (BBB scores), were carried out at 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 days after SCI surgery. Hematoxylin-eosin staining observed spinal cord morphology. Nissl staining detected the number of nissl bodies. Myelin basic protein (MBP) and oligodendrocyte (CNPase) were examed by immunohistochemical staining. The apoptosis of oligodendrocyte and neurons were detected by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: The 28-day behavioral test showed that the BBB score of rats in the SCI + hucMSCs group increased significantly, comparing to the SCI + PBS group. The numbers of nissl bodies and myelin sheath in the damaged area of SCI + hucMSCs group were also significantly increased compared to the SCI + PBS group. HucMSCs transplanting decreased the expression of protein level of Caspase-3 and Bax and increased the Bcl-2, MBP and CNPase, rescued the apoptosis of neurons and the oligodendrocyte. CONCLUSION: These results showed that hucMSCs can improve motor function, tissue repairing and reducing apoptosis in SCI rats.

Palliative care needs among patients with advanced illnesses in Bhutan.

BACKGROUND: Palliative care improves the quality of lives of patients and families affected by advanced illnesses through the prevention and relief of suffering. While palliative care is well established in developed countries, it is inadequate or non-existent in most developing countries. Palliative care is an emerging concept in Bhutan, a tiny Himalayan Kingdom. A small community palliative care service is available in the national referral hospital with three dedicated inpatient palliative care beds. This study explored the needs for palliative care among patients diagnosed with advanced illnesses and is a component of a larger project aimed to inform a suitable palliative care model for the country. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. A survey, using a structured questionnaire including the EORTC QLQ-C30, was carried out among patients with advanced illness in hospitals, primary care units and communities across the country. Purposeful and snowball sampling strategies were used to recruit study participants. RESULTS: Seventy (76%), out of 93 eligible patients, agreed to participate in the survey. Participants reported low to moderate scores on physical, role, emotional, cognitive and social functioning, a moderate score for the global health/ quality of life scale and moderately high (worse) scores in symptoms including fatigue, pain, insomnia, loss of appetite and the financial impact from the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The symptom burden experienced by patients affected by advanced illnesses demonstrates the need for palliative care in Bhutan. These findings will help inform the development of a public health-focused palliative care model, modified to the Bhutanese context, as recommended by the World Health Organization.

Cognitive Profiles Among Individuals With Spinal Cord Injuries: Predictors and Relations With Psychological Well-being.

OBJECTIVES: To examine predictors of profiles of cognitive functioning among individuals receiving acute inpatient spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation, as well as associations between their cognitive functioning and psychological well-being (life satisfaction and depression) 6 months after the baseline assessment. DESIGN: Prospective observational study design, with 2 assessments approximately 6 months apart. SETTING: A rehabilitation unit at a level 1 trauma hospital during acute SCI hospitalization and outpatient setting after discharge. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals (N=89) with SCI. INTERVENTION: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cognitive functioning (assessed by the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status), life satisfaction (measured by the Life Satisfaction Index A), and depressive symptoms (measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9). RESULTS: Latent profile analysis identified 3 classes of individuals with similar patterns of cognitive functioning: class1 (average levels of cognitive performance across all assessed domains; n=48), class 2 (average cognitive performance, except in recall and memory; n=23), and class 3 (low cognitive functioning across multiple domains of cognition; n=18). Fewer years of education, history of smoking, history of substance use other than alcohol, and greater postconcussion symptoms were associated with higher odds of classification in class 3 (P<.05). Six months post baseline, individuals in class 3 reported significantly lower levels of life satisfaction than individuals in class 1 (χ2(1)=5.86; P=.045) and marginally higher depressive symptoms than individuals in class 2 (χ2(1)=5.48; P=.057). CONCLUSIONS: The impact of impaired cognition during acute rehabilitation may persist after discharge and influence the psychological well-being of individuals with SCI. Identifying individuals with cognitive dysfunction and attending to modifiable risk factors and may help ameliorate maladjustment after SCI.

Os aspectos emocionais do lesado medular frente ao seu diagnóstico / The emotional aspects of the patients in front of the spinal Cord Injury diagnose

Introdução: A Lesão Medular (LM) é uma condição que afeta homens e mulheres, podendo ser traumática ou não, sendo ela grave e incapacitante. Objetivos: Compreender determinadas alterações emocionais para o indivíduo após receber esse diagnóstico. Participantes: 10 pacientes que passaram pelo Centro Estadual de Reabilitação e Readaptação Dr. Henrique Santillo (CRER) e que atualmente estão, ou já estiveram, em acompanhamento ambulatorial. Análise de dados: Análise de Conteúdo de Laurence Bardin. Resultados: Revelaram-se as seguintes categorias relacionadas à lesão medular: humor (subcategoria: irritabilidade), autoestima, tristeza, esperança, reação ao diagnóstico, coping (subcategoria: dificuldade de aceitação do diagnóstico, adaptação e espiritualidade) e dependência do outro. Discussão e considerações finais: Dentro da população pesquisada, os participantes conseguiram desenvolver estratégias de enfrentamento funcionais e adaptativas, sendo a sintomatologia, em sua maioria, reativa

Introduction: Spinal cord injury is a condition that affects men and women, and it can be traumatic or not, being severe and disabling. Objectives: To understand certain emotional changes for the individual after receiving this diagnosis. Participants: 10 patients who went through the Dr. Henrique Santillo Rehabilitation and Readaptation post and who are currently or have been under outpatient follow-up. Data analysis: Content Analysis by Laurence Bardin. Results: The following categories related to spinal cord injury were revealed: mood (subcategory: irritability), self-esteem, sadness, hope, reaction to the diagnosis, coping (subcategory: difficulty in accepting the diagnosis, adaptation and spirituality) and dependence on the other. Discussion and conclusion: Within the researched population, the participants were able to develop functional and adaptive coping strategies, the symptoms being mostly reactive

Intradetrusor OnabotulinumtoxinA Injections Ameliorate Autonomic Dysreflexia while Improving Lower Urinary Tract Function and Urinary Incontinence-Related Quality of Life in Individuals with Cervical and Upper Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury.

Pilot data of our phase IV clinical trial (pre/post study design) highlighted a beneficial effect of intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA (200 IU) injections to reduce autonomic dysreflexia (AD) in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) at T6 or above. After trial completion, we assessed whether our primary expectation (i.e., decrease of AD severity in 50% of participants during urodynamics [UDS]) was met. Secondary outcome measures were reduction of spontaneous AD in daily life as well as amelioration of AD-related and urinary incontinence-related quality of life (QoL). In addition, we conducted injury-level-dependent analysis-i.e., cervical and upper thoracic-to explore group-specific treatment efficacy. Post-treatment, AD severity decreased in 82% (28/34) of all participants during UDS and in 74% (25/34) in daily life assessed with 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. In addition, urinary incontinence-related QoL was improved, cystometric capacity was increased, and maximum detrusor pressure during storage was reduced (all p < 0.001). Further, the treatment was well tolerated, with only minor complications (grade I [n = 7] and II [n = 7]) in accordance with the Clavien-Dindo classification recorded in 11 individuals (cervical n = 9, upper thoracic n = 2). Injury-level-dependent analysis revealed lower incidence (cervical n = 15/23, upper thoracic n = 6/11) and lesser severity (cervical p = 0.009; upper thoracic p = 0.06 [Pearson r = -0.6, i.e., large effect size]) of AD during UDS. Further, reduced AD severity in daily life, improved urinary incontinence-related QoL, greater cystometric capacity, and lower maximum detrusor pressure during storage (all p < 0.05) were found in both groups post-treatment. Intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA injections are an effective and safe second-line treatment option that ameliorates AD while improving lower urinary tract function and urinary incontinence-related QoL in individuals with cervical and upper thoracic SCI.

Cognitive Dysfunction in Persons with Chronic Spinal Cord Injuries.

Cognitive dysfunction (CD) is pervasive in individuals who have chronic spinal cord injuries (SCI). Although classically associated with concomitant traumatic brain injuries, many other causes have been proposed, including premorbid neuropsychological conditions, mood disorders, substance abuse, polypharmacy, chronic pain and fatigue, sleep apnea, autonomic dysregulation, post-intensive care unit syndrome, cortical reorganizations, and neuroinflammation. The consequences of CD are likely widespread, affecting rehabilitation and function. CD in those with SCI should be recognized, and potentially treated, in order to provide the best patient care.

Medication adherence for persons with spinal cord injury and dysfunction from the perspectives of healthcare providers: A qualitative study.

Context: People with spinal cord injury and dysfunction (SCI/D) often take multiple medications (i.e. polypharmacy) to manage secondary health complications and multiple chronic conditions. Numerous healthcare providers are often involved in clinical care, increasing the risk of fragmented care, problematic polypharmacy, and conflicting health advice. These providers can play a crucial role in assisting patients with medication self-management to improve medication adherence. Design: A qualitative study involving telephone interviews, following a semi-structured guide that explored healthcare providers' conceptualization of factors impacting medication adherence for persons with SCI/D. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed descriptively and interpretively using a constant comparative process with the assistance of data display matrices. Analysis was guided by an ecological model of medication adherence. Setting and participants: Thirty-two healthcare providers from Canada, with varying clinical expertise. Intervention: Not Applicable. Outcome measures: Not Applicable. Results: Providers identified several factors that impact medication adherence for persons with SCI/D, which were grouped into micro (medication and patient-related), meso- (provider-related) and macro- (health system-related) factors. Medication-related factors included side effects, effectiveness, safety, and regimen complexity. Patient-specific factors included medication knowledge, preferences/expectations/goals, severity and type of injury, cognitive function/mental health, time since injury, and caregiver support. Provider-related factors included knowledge/confidence and trust. Health system-related factors included access to healthcare and access to medications. While providers were able to identify several factors influencing medication adherence, micro-level factors were the most frequently discussed. Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate that strategies to optimize medication adherence for persons with SCI/D should be multi-faceted.

Individuals with spinal cord injury have greater odds of substance use disorders than non-sci comparisons.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are disproportionately affected by numerous physical and behavioral health disparities, but the literature lacks a clear understanding of the association between SCI and substance use disorders. Identifying such behavioral health disparities in persons with disabilities is an increasingly central focus for public health researchers and represents a critical first step for prevention. METHOD: The present study utilized a large database of deidentified electronic health records to examine the association between SCI and substance use disorders related to alcohol, cannabis, opioid, and nicotine. Examining data from patients 16 years or older who had patient encounters at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center from January 1, 1997 to April 30, 2018, the current study included data from 1,466,985 unique patients - 6192 of which held SCI diagnoses. Age-adjusted odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared to non-SCI patients, individuals with SCI were at increased odds of having alcohol use disorder (OR: 4.19, 95% CI [3.67, 4.80]), cannabis use disorder (OR: 7.83, 95% CI [6.32, 9.69]), opioid use disorder (OR: 7.97, 95% CI [6.59, 9.66]), and nicotine use disorder (OR: 4.66, 95% CI [4.40, 4.94]). Patient sex did not moderate any of the four associations. CONCLUSION: This study provides early indication that individuals with SCI may be disproportionately at-risk for substance use disorders and provides a foundation for future mechanistic and translational research. This evidence is a valuable step towards improving the health and quality of life for individuals with SCI.

DNA methylation and behavioral changes induced by neonatal spinal transection.

Although the importance of epigenetic mechanisms in behavioral development has been gaining attention in recent years, research has largely focused on the brain. To our knowledge, no studies to date have investigated epigenetic changes in the developing spinal cord to determine the dynamic manner in which the spinal epigenome may respond to environmental input during behavioral development. Animal studies demonstrate that spinal cord plasticity is heightened during early development, is somewhat preserved following neonatal transection, and that spinal injured animals are responsive to sensory feedback. Because epigenetic alterations have been implicated in brain plasticity and are highly responsive to experience, these alterations are promising candidates for molecular substrates of spinal plasticity as well. Thus, the current study investigated behavioral changes in the development of weight-bearing locomotion and epigenetic modifications in the spinal cord of infant rats following a neonatal low-thoracic spinal transection or sham surgery on postnatal day (P)1. Specifically, global levels of methylation and methylation status of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) gene, a neurotrophin heavily involved in both CNS and behavioral plasticity, particularly in development, were examined in lumbar tissue harvested on P10 from sham and spinal-transected subjects. Behavioral results demonstrate that compared to shams, spinal-transected subjects exhibit significantly reduced partial-weight bearing hindlimb activity. Molecular data demonstrate group differences in global lumbar methylation levels as well as exon-specific group differences in Bdnf methylation. This study represents an initial step toward understanding the relationship between epigenetic mechanisms and plasticity associated with spinal cord and locomotor development.

Development and validation of models to predict respiratory function in persons with long-term spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter, cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES: To validate previously developed respiratory function prediction models for persons with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI) and if necessary develop and validate new models. SETTING: Ten SCI rehabilitation centers. METHODS: Five respiratory function parameters were measured in adults with chronic, traumatic, motor complete SCI (C4-T12). First, the models published in 2012 were validated using Bland-Altman plots. Then, new models were calculated using 80% of the dataset by multiple regression analysis with the candidate predictors gender, age, height, weight, time post injury (TPI), lesion level, and smoking. In a third step, the new models were validated using the other 20% of the dataset by Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: In total 613 participants were included. For persons with long-term SCI, the 2012 models were poorly predictive, especially for respiratory muscle strength (R2 = 0.4). Significant predictors for all respiratory function parameters in the new models (R2 = 0.7-0.8) were lesion level, gender and weight. Small effects on single outcome parameters were observed for TPI and age whereas smoking had no effect. For the new models the mean differences between measured and predicted values for respiratory muscle strength were 4.0 ± 36.0 cm H2O and for lung function parameters -0.5 ± 1.2 L (FVC), -0.3 ± 0.9 L (FEV1) and -0.5 ± 2.0 L/s (PEF). CONCLUSION: We did not find better models for lung function in long-term SCI but those for respiratory muscle strength showed better accuracy. SPONSORSHIP: The content of this publication was developed under grant from Wings for Life, grant number WFL-CH-017/14.

Systemic Inhibition of Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor with XPro1595 Exacerbates a Post-Spinal Cord Injury Depressive Phenotype in Female Rats.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with a three-fold risk of major depressive disorder compared with the general population. Current antidepressant therapy is often not as effective in this patient population, suggesting the need for a more efficacious therapeutic target. The goal of this study was to elucidate the role of inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN, the principle source of serotonin to the brain) in the development and possible treatment of depression after SCI. A depressive phenotype following moderate T9 contusion was identified in adult female rats using a battery of behavioral tests (forced swim test, sucrose preference test, novel object recognition test, open field locomotion, and social exploration). Data revealed two clusters of injured rats (58%) that exhibit increased immobility in the forced swim test, indicating depressive phenotype or a melancholic-depressive phenotype with concomitant decrease in sucrose preference. ElevatedTNF levels in the DRN of these two clusters correlated with increased immobility in the forced swim test. We then tested the efficacy of soluble TNF inhibition with XPro1595 treatment to prevent the depressive phenotype after SCI. Subcutaneous (s.c.) delivery of XPro1595 caused an exacerbation of depressive phenotype, with all treated clusters exhibiting increased forced swim immobility compared with saline-treated non-depressed rats. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of the drug did not prevent or enhance the development of depression after injury. These results suggest a complex role for TNF-based neuroinflammation in SCI-induced depression that needs to be further explored, perhaps in conjunction with a broader targeting of additional post-SCI inflammatory cytokines.

[The psychological and psychiatric care for the children after severe spinal cord injury in the framework of the combined early rehabilitative treatment]. / Psikhologicheskaia i psikhiatricheskaia pomoshch' detiam posle tiazheloi pozvonochno-spinnomozgovoi travmy v ramkakh kompleksnogo podkhoda k rannei reabilitatsii.

BACKGROUND: The number of children who have received severe spinal cord injury (SCI) is steadily increasing during the recent years. The clinical picture of the post-injury condition is characterized by psychological and psychiatric disorders of varying severity. The literature publications concern emotions experienced after SCI by the adult patients whereas the data on the emotional disorders in the children and the approaches to their medical treatment are virtually absent. Nor is enough information about the status of the children in the early period after the spinal trauma treated jointly by a psychiatrist and a psychologist. AIM: The objective of the present study was the evaluation of the emotions and motivations in the children following the severe spinal trauma in the course of the early rehabilitation period as well as the development of an algorithm for the interaction of a psychiatrist and a psychologist in their joint efforts to manage the emotional and motivational disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 35 children at the age from 8 to 18 years presenting with the severe spinal trauma who had been admitted for the treatment and rehabilitation based at the Research Institute of Emergency Pediatric Surgery and Traumatology, Moscow Health Department, during the period from 2016 to 2018. All the patients were examined by a psychiatrist and a psychologist in dynamics, viz. before the beginning of the rehabilitation course as well as within the 7-10th and 21-25th days after its initiation. The relevant diagnostic scales and questionnaires were used to detect depression and assess the severity of individual symptoms. RESULTS: Three groups of children who had experienced the severe spinal trauma were distinguished depending on the character of emotional disorders and their severity. Group 1 was comprised of the children with depression (n=6) including 2 boys and 4 girls at the age from 14 to17 years (17.2%). Group 2 consisted of the children with emotional disorders, such as high anxiety, impaired motivation with sub-depressive prerequisites (n=11) including 4 girls and 7 boys at the age from 12 to16 years (31.4%). Group 3 was composed of the children free from depression or depressive manifestations (n=18) including 15 boys, 3 girls at the age from 8 to17 years (51.4%). The algorithm for the combined rehabilitative treatment of the children during the early period after the severe spinal trauma with the participation of the psychiatrist and the psychologist has been developed. It was shown that the patients with a reduced intensity of emotional expression combined with a moderate or low level of anxiety and sufficient motivation needed the supervision by the psychologist alone. The children with a reduced intensity of emotional expression combined with a moderate or high level of anxiety and impaired motivation had to be supervised and treated by both the psychiatrist and the psychologist. The children with pronounced depression, high anxiety and low motivation required the supervision and treatment by a psychiatrist with simultaneous pharmacological correction of their condition. CONCLUSION: The results of this study give evidence that 48.6% of the children after severe spinal trauma suffer from the emotional and motivational disorders requiring specialized psychiatric care including the differentiated psychological and psychiatric treatment during the early rehabilitation period with the use of the algorithm for the combined treatment based on the joint efforts of the psychiatrist and the psychologist supplemented by the pharmacological correction.

A prospective study of health behaviors and risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality after spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study OBJECTIVES: Identify the association between health behaviors and risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in adults with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) SETTING: A large rehabilitation hospital in the Southeastern United States. METHODS: Participants included 3070 adults (>18 years old) with chronic (>1-year) traumatic SCI. Behavioral data were collected by mail-in self report assessment between 1997-1998 and 2007-2010. Mortality status was determined using the National Death Index as of December 2016. We examined the associations between six behavioral domains (prescription medication usage, alcohol use, smoking, two nutrition factors, and fitness) and risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality, including deaths due to sepsis (ICD-10-CM A40-A41), pneumonia and influenza (J09-J18), cancer (C00-D49), heart and blood vessel diseases (I00-I99), unintentional injuries (V01-X59, Y40-Y84, Y88), and all other causes. RESULTS: All health behaviors, except one nutrition factor, were associated with risk of all-cause mortality. Prescription medication usage was related to an increase in the risk of deaths caused by sepsis, unintentional injuries, and other causes of death. Alcohol usage was associated with an increased hazard of deaths due to unintentional injuries. Smoking was associated with increased risk of deaths due to cancer, heart and blood vessel diseases, and all other causes. Fitness level was protective from deaths due to heart and blood vessel diseases and other causes, as was the other nutrition factor. CONCLUSIONS: The results identify relationships between health behaviors and specific causes of death and affirm their importance as targets for SCI rehabilitation research and intervention.

Early Colostomy Formation Can Improve Independence Following Spinal Cord Injury and Increase Acceptability of Bowel Management.

Background: Colostomy formation can solve complications of bowel management following spinal cord injury (SCI). Newly injured patients at this spinal unit have chosen colostomy as a preferred option for bowel management. Objectives: To discover the reasons patients choose colostomy formation early following SCI and make comparison with those choosing it later, and to establish whether early colostomy is safe and advisable. Methods: Medical and nursing records of patients with SCI who chose to have a colostomy during the period 2005-2016 were examined retrospectively. Data were gathered concerning reasons for choosing a colostomy, early and later complications, the need for further surgery, and independence with bowel care before and after surgery. Patients were divided into two groups: those who chose a colostomy "early" during inpatient rehabilitation and those who chose it "later" as is traditional. Results: Reasons for choosing colostomy differed. Reducing reliance on caregiver and independence were of more importance to the early group; the later group chose colostomy to solve bowel care problems. Early complication rates in both groups were low. Longer term complications were higher in the early group, with the most common complication being rectal discharge. Parastomal hernia rates were low in both groups, as was the need for further surgery. Colostomy formation led to 20.8% of all patients gaining independence with bowel care. Conclusion: This study found colostomy to be a safe and effective option when performed early after SCI and demonstrates colostomy can be a means of gaining independence and making bowel care easier and more acceptable to the newly injured patient.