Factors affecting independence among individuals with spinal cord injuries in Brazil: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: The spinal cord injury (SCI) affects functional independence. There are few studies that evaluate functional independence among individuals with SCI in Brazil. Objective: To evaluate the functional independence of individuals with SCI in Brazil, and explore the association between functional independence and personal, social, injury, and bladder and bowel-related factors. Methods: Data of 121 individuals with SCI about functional independence, personal, demographic, injury, bladder, and bowel factors were collected by interview and analyzed. It was used Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and the Mann-Whitney U test with p < 0.01 for correlations and p < 0.05 for post hoc tests significance level. Results: The region of the neurological level had the most substantial correlation with functional independence (0.370 to 0.570, p ≤ 0.001), followed by sex (0.270, p = 0.003), American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) classification (0.345, p = 0.001), and patterns in the bowel (-0.295, p = 0.001) and bladder functions (-0.281 to -0.334, p ≤ 0.002). Conclusion: The region of the neurological level emerged as the most significant non-modifiable factor influencing functional independence. Furthermore, factors like sex, AIS classification, and bladder and bowel patterns, while demonstrating weaker associations, remain pertinent to functional independence.