Functional outcome and discharge destination in older patients with spinal cord injury: a retrospective cohort study.

IF 3.9 3区医学 Q2 GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY

European Geriatric Medicine Pub Date : 2026-09-05 DOI:10.1007/s41999-026-01577-w

Stephan Kurz, Oliver Habich, Katja Brauer, Frederik Wilhelm Schneckmann

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate functional outcomes and discharge destination after specialized inpatient rehabilitation in patients aged > 75 years with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: This retrospective single-center cohort study included 160 patients aged ≥ 60 years who completed inpatient SCI rehabilitation at the specialized SCI unit of BG Trauma Center Frankfurt, Germany (2010-2025). Patients were grouped into 60-75 and > 75 years. Functional status was assessed using the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) at admission and discharge. Outcomes included discharge destination, functional gain (ΔSCIM), in-hospital complications, and medication at discharge.

Results: The mean age was 67 ± 5 years in the 60-75-year group and 80 ± 4 years in the > 75-year group; 75.0% and 64.1% were male, respectively. At discharge, 68.8% of patients aged > 75 years returned home compared with 81.3% of those aged 60-75 years. Only 7.8% of patients aged > 75 years were discharged home without nursing support. SCIM scores were lower in the > 75-year group (27 ± 18 vs. 40 ± 24; p = .003), as were functional gains (ΔSCIM: 12 ± 13 vs. 20 ± 19; p = .004). Baseline neurological status and in-hospital mortality (6.3% vs. 4.2%; p = .554) did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusions: Most patients aged > 75 years were discharged home despite lower functional gains. Advanced age alone should not be considered a barrier to specialized inpatient rehabilitation. Early discharge planning and adequate post-acute support are essential to facilitate supported community discharge and reduce institutionalization.

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老年脊髓损伤患者的功能结局和出院目的地：一项回顾性队列研究。

目的：评价bb0 ~ 75岁脊髓损伤（SCI）患者住院专科康复后的功能结局和出院目的地。方法：这项回顾性单中心队列研究纳入了160例年龄≥60岁的患者，这些患者于2010-2025年在德国法兰克福BG创伤中心的专门SCI单元完成了住院SCI康复。患者分为60-75岁和60-75岁。在入院和出院时使用脊髓独立性测量（SCIM）评估功能状态。结局包括出院目的地、功能获得（ΔSCIM）、院内并发症和出院时用药情况。结果：60 ~ 75岁组平均年龄67±5岁，60 ~ 75岁组平均年龄80±4岁；男性分别为75.0%和64.1%。出院时，68.8%的bb0 -75岁患者返回家中，而60-75岁患者返回家中的比例为81.3%。只有7.8%的bb0 - 75岁患者在没有护理支持的情况下出院。> 75年组SCIM评分较低(27±18比40±24；p =。003)，功能增益也是如此（ΔSCIM: 12±13比20±19；p = .004）。基线神经状态和住院死亡率(6.3% vs. 4.2%; p =。554)组间无显著差异。结论：大多数年龄在bb0 - 75岁的患者出院回家，尽管功能恢复较低。高龄本身不应被视为专科住院康复的障碍。早期出院规划和适当的急性后支持对于促进有支持的社区出院和减少机构化至关重要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

European Geriatric Medicine GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY-

CiteScore

6.70

自引率

2.60%

发文量

114

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： European Geriatric Medicine is the official journal of the European Geriatric Medicine Society (EUGMS). Launched in 2010, this journal aims to publish the highest quality material, both scientific and clinical, on all aspects of Geriatric Medicine. The EUGMS is interested in the promotion of Geriatric Medicine in any setting (acute or subacute care, rehabilitation, nursing homes, primary care, fall clinics, ambulatory assessment, dementia clinics..), and also in functionality in old age, comprehensive geriatric assessment, geriatric syndromes, geriatric education, old age psychiatry, models of geriatric care in health services, and quality assurance.