Citation

Gary KW, Cao Y, Burns SP, McDonald SD, Krause JS. Spinal Cord 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, International Spinal Cord Society, Publisher Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1038/s41393-019-0334-9

PMID

31388121

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore differences between veterans and nonveterans with spinal cord injury (SCI) for employment, health, and satisfaction with life outcomes after controlling for demographic and injury characteristics. SETTING: Hospitals in the Spinal Cord Injury Model System of care.

METHODS: A total of 9754 (85% nonveterans and 15% veterans) adults with traumatic SCI interviewed from 2000 and 2015 and completed follow-up years 1, 5, and 10 were included in this study. Employment status and the Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique-Short Form (CHART-SF) measured employment. The SF-36 for self-perceived health status, CHART-SF, and rehospitalization determined health outcomes. Satisfaction with life was measured by the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Secondary data analyses using χ², t-tests, and generalized estimating equations (GEEs) model to determine group differences with control of demographic and injury characteristics.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences for employment and SWL between nonveterans and veterans. There were some differences in health outcomes; whereas, veterans had better physical independence and mobility compared with nonveterans.

CONCLUSION: Interventions for both groups should target adults with a disability from SCI, be customized for varying levels of injury that address differences in healthcare systems, demographic backgrounds, economic resources, disincentives, and motivation.

Language: en