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Secondary impairments in young adults with spina bifida

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 May 2004

M Verhoef
Affiliation:
Rehabilitation Centre De Hoogstraat, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
HA Barf
Affiliation:
Rehabilitation Centre De Hoogstraat, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
MWM Post
Affiliation:
IRV, Institute for Rehabilitation Research, Hoensbroek, the Netherlands.
FWA van Asbeck
Affiliation:
Rehabilitation Centre De Hoogstraat, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
RHJM Gooskens
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
AJH Prevo
Affiliation:
Department of Rehabilitation, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of secondary impairments in young adults with spina bifida and to relate the prevalence to the type of spina bifida and the level of lesion. This cross-sectional study is part of the ASPINE (Adolescents with Spina Bifida in the Netherlands) study. Data were collected on medical history, hydrocephalus (shunt: yes/no), neurological level of lesion (International Standards for Neurological and Functional Classification of Spinal Cord Injury), visual acuity (Landolt rings), spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale), contractures (range of motion), scoliosis (deviation from perpendicular), ambulation (Hoffer criteria), pressure sores and blood pressure (physical examination), epilepsy, pain, incontinence and sexuality (questionnaire), and cognitive functioning (Raven Standard Progressive Matrices). In total, 179 patients with spina bifida participated (41% male, age range 16 to 25 years, mean 20 years 9 months, SD 2 years 11 months). These were 37 patients with spina bifida occulta, 119 patients with spina bifida aperta and hydrocephalus (AHC+) and 23 patients with spina bifida aperta without hydrocephalus (AHC). Of our patient group, 73 had a high-level lesion (L2 and above), 68 a mid-level lesion (L3 to L5), and 38 a low-level lesion (S1 and below). Both subdivisions were strongly related with patients with higher lesions more often having hydrocephalus. Most secondary impairments were found for patients with AHC+, and patients with AHC were mostly comparable to patients with spina bifida occulta. According to level of lesion, most medical problems were found in the high-level lesion group. However, all subgroups suffered from health problems.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
© 2004 Mac Keith Press

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