The journal of spinal cord medicine
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To describe the clinical features and disease course of COVID-19 in veterans with spinal cord injury (SCI). ⋯ Level and completeness of SCI did not appear to correlate with COVID-19 severity, as mild and asymptomatic illness was noted in persons with high grade SCI. As has been shown to be the case in the general population, pre-existing comorbidities are the most reliable predictors of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection currently available for persons with chronic SCI. Contrary to concerns that SCI may mask the cardinal signs of COVID-19, such as fever and cough, by way of compromised thermoregulation and thoracoabdominal musculature, such signs were common in our series. To facilitate early detection, prompt treatment, and minimized viral spread, the implementation of preventive strategies by SCI units is recommended.
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Study design: Retrospective study. Objectives: To determine the best time to introduce non-invasive ventilation (NIV), clinical effectiveness of NIV, and complications of long-term use of NIV in patients with high-level cervical spinal cord injuries (CSCI). Setting: Public Hospital, Japan. ⋯ Two patients developed minor complications after discharge and two died later for unrelated causes. Conclusion: Ventilator-dependent patients should be switched to NIV within 1 year of injury. Long-term NIV can improve respiratory function and clinical outcome.