Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR&D Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

Outcomes of outpatient visits for acute respiratory illness in veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders.

Weaver FM, Smith B, Evans CT, Kurichi JE, Patel N, Kapur VK, Burns SP. Outcomes of outpatient visits for acute respiratory illness in veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders. American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation / Association of Academic Physiatrists. 2006 Sep 1; 85(9):718-26.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.
   Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions



Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory complications are a leading cause of death in persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCIandD). We examined same-day and 60-day hospitalizations and 60-day mortality after acute respiratory illness (ARI) outpatient visits. DESIGN: A longitudinal study was conducted of 8775 ARI visits in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) (October. 1997-September 2002) by persons with SCIandD. ARIs included upper respiratory infections (URI), acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and influenza (PandI). RESULTS: URIs accounted for almost half of all (49%) visits. A total of 14.9% of patients with ARIs were hospitalized the same day; 30.8% were hospitalized within 60 days. Predictors of hospitalization included diagnosis of either PandI or acute bronchitis, comorbid illness, level of injury, age, and VA SCI center visit. Overall 60-day mortality was 2.9% but was 7.9% for pneumonia. Mortality was related to diagnosis (PandI: odds ratio [OR] = 9.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.27-13.33; acute bronchitis: OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.08-2.93), age (65+: OR = 3.96, 95% CI: 2.23-5.70), and comorbid conditions (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.43-2.46). CONCLUSIONS: PandI and acute bronchitis were associated with increased VA hospitalization and mortality rates. The case fatality rate for pneumonia is higher for SCIandD than the general population. Level of injury predicted hospitalization but not death. Efforts to improve prevention and treatment of ARIs in persons with SCIandD are needed.





Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.