Spinal cord
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Cross-sectional survey. ⋯ Functional independence, especially ability to drive, was strongly associated with return to work and should be one of the priority goals of comprehensive rehabilitation of persons with SCI. The negative impact of recent hospitalization as well as financial compensation needs to be probed further.
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When someone suffers a spinal cord injury (SCI) many organs, including those of the cardiovascular (CV) system, cease to be controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Response to physical activity fails to meet the needs of the body and typically results in low blood pressure (BP), and in turn, reduced endurance and performance. This study examines the effect of SCI on the ANS of elite athletes and possible effect on their CV functions and ultimately their performance. The study also provides input on evidence of boosting and the current classification system. Finally, authors are exploring a possibility for future research in assessing whether consideration of ANS function would strengthen current Paralympic classification systems. ⋯ Further research is needed to determine if the inclusion of ANS parameters contributes to strengthen classifications systems in Paralympic sports. This includes the development of a simple, valid and reliable bedside assessment of autonomic function that can be used to reliably compare athletes with or without ANS dysfunction thereby enabling further research into the isolated effect of ANS dysfunction on sporting performance. Researchers who are studying individuals with SCI, and who have CV parameters as their outcomes, should ensure a homogenous study group by the presence or absence of ANS function in addition to level of lesion so as to eliminate the potential for confounding variables that lead to inaccurate interpretation of results.
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Comparative Study
Neoplastic myelopathies and traumatic spinal cord lesions: an Italian comparison of functional and neurological outcomes.
Although neoplastic spinal cord injuries (NSCIs) constitute ∼25% of all non-traumatic spinal cord lesions, patients with such pathologies are seldom, if ever, admitted to specialized centers; further, their rehabilitation typically is short because of the perception that rehabilitation prolongs hospital stays unnecessarily and is reserved only for patients with very good prognoses. ⋯ Although they had slightly disparate functional levels at admission, NSCI and TSCI patients had the same outcomes at discharge. Our data suggest that in a selected cohort of NSCI patients, rehabilitation is as successful as that in TSCI subjects and allows most patients to be discharged instead of being institutionalized.
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Epidemiological survey. ⋯ There was a rapid increase of the annual SCI incidence from 1982 to 2002 during an economic boom. Safety regulations are of primary importance in preventing the injury. Once happened, long-term health insurance is essential for the well-being of the victims. Although some improvement has been made since 2002, much remains to be done in this direction.
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Pharmacologically blocking the spinal cord produces sedative effects and reduces anesthesia requirements in patients and animals. Whether spinal cord injury also reduces anesthesia requirements remains unclear. ⋯ Spinal transection immediately decreased anesthetic requirements in rats. To establish whether these results are relevant for patients with spinal cord injury will require further investigation.