Retrospective study of functional outcomes and disability after non-ischaemic vascular causes of spinal cord dysfunction

Objective: Describe demographic characteristics, functional outcomes and disability following rehabilitation for non-ischemic vascular spinal cord dysfunction (SCDys).

Design: Retrospective, open cohort, case series.

Setting: Tertiary rehabilitation unit, Victoria, Australia.

Participants: Patients with non-ischemic vascular SCDys admitted over a 21-year-period (01/01/1995–31/12/ 2015) were identified using International Classification of Diseases codes.

Outcome Measures: Demographic characteristics, etiology, neurologic classification, length of stay (LOS), and complications. On admission and discharge, the following were collected: functional independence measure (FIM) motor subscale, details on bowel, bladder, mobility, living arrangement, and support services.

Results: 36 patients (female 58%; mean age 69 ± 16 years) were identified. The main causes of non-ischemic vascular SCDys were epidural hematoma (39%), dural arteriovenous fistula (17%), and arteriovenous malformation (11%). 22 cases (61%) were iatrogenic. Most (86%) had incomplete paraplegia. Urinary tract infection was the most common complication (64%). Median LOS in rehabilitation was 68 days. Significant improvement in FIM motor scores was observed from admission (median 25, interquartile range [IQR] 20–38) to discharge (median 69, IQR 38–77) (P < 0.001). On discharge, 4 patients (11%) walked >100 m unaided, 6 (17%) walked >100 m with assistive device, 10 (28%) walked >10 m with assistive device, 15 (41%) were wheelchair dependent and 1 (3%) patient remained non-mobile. 20 patients (56%) were discharged home, 8 (22%) to nursing home, and 8 (22%) transferred to another hospital.

Conclusion: Most patients returned home with significantly improved functional outcomes compared to rehabilitation admission, but with the majority having ongoing major disabilities based on FIM motor scores.