Article

Retrospective, cross-sectional design. OBJECTIVES: To identify
factors that predict unsatisfactory seating pressure in spinal cord-injured (SCI)
individuals.Setting:Seating Clinic at the University Hospital, Norway. METHODS:
All wheelchair users with traumatic SCI hospitalized between 1 January 2007 and
31 December 2010 were included. Individual assessment by a team was performed. To
measure seating pressure, a computerized seating pad with sensing points 40 x 40
cm was used. Primary end points were defined as satisfactory or unsatisfactory
seating position based on measured pressure (more or less 100 mm Hg), clinical
findings and physical activity level. To explore possible risk factors for high
seating pressure, both univariate and multivariate regression analysis were
performed. RESULTS: A total of 75 persons with SCI were assessed, 39 (52%) with
unsatisfactory result. Statistical analysis revealed that use of manual
wheelchair (odds ratio (OR)=6.86, confidence interval (CI) 1.77-26.63) and
history of pressure ulcer (OR=8.47, CI 2.46-29.13) significantly increase the
risk of unsatisfactory seating pressure. Paraplegia caused significantly higher
risk (OR=2.5, CI 0.99-6.34) in the univariate model, probably because the SCI
with tetraplegia do prefer electrically powered wheelchairs. CONCLUSIONS: Use of
manually driven wheelchairs and persons with previous pressure ulcer are at
significant risk of high seating pressure and consequently developing new
pressure ulcers. The patients from these subcategories need close follow-up
regarding seating position and prevention of pressure ulcers.

Langue : ANGLAIS