Article

Persons with spina bifida who adopt unhealthy lifestyles could be at
increased risk of adverse health outcomes because the presence of spina bifida
may magnify this risk. We estimated overall and age-specific prevalence of
selected health risk behaviors (HRBs) in young people with spina bifida and
examined the association between HRBs and depression. METHOD: We performed
analyses on data obtained from individuals with spina bifida (n=130; mean age 23y
SD 4y 5mo; 64 males, 66 females; 64% lumbosacral lesion; 77% with shunt) who
participated in a population-based survey conducted by the Arkansas Spinal Cord
Commission in 2005. RESULTS: Compared with national estimates, young people with
spina bifida tend to eat less healthy diets, do less exercise, and engage in more
sedentary activities. Respondents were less likely to use substances (alcohol,
tobacco, illegal drugs), which peaked among 25 to 31 year olds. About 90% saw a
doctor in the previous year. Nearly one half reported mild or major depressive
symptoms. In the logistic regression analysis after controlling for potential
confounders (age, sex, ethnic group, education, employment, marital status,
living arrangement, level of lesion, presence of shunt, mobility, self-rated
health and healthcare utilization), major depressive symptoms were associated
with current alcohol drinking (adjusted odds ratio: 4.74; 95% CI 1.18-19.04).
INTERPRETATION: Young adults with spina bifida exhibit unhealthy behaviors that
continue into their late 20s. The findings highlight the need to increase
awareness of their health risk profiles in the spina bifida community and show
opportunities for mental health and health risk screening and counseling by
healthcare providers.
CI - (c) The Authors. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology (c) 2012 Mac Keith
Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS