Article

OBJECTIVE: To detail the protocol, recruitment, study population, response, and
data quality of the first population-based community survey of the Swiss Spinal
Cord Injury (SwiSCI) Cohort Study. DESIGN: The survey consisted of 3 successive
modules administered between September 2011 and March 2013. The first two modules
queried demographics, lesion characteristics and key domains of functioning. The
third module collected information on psychological personal factors and health
behaviour; work integration; or health services and aging. PARTICIPANTS:
Community-dwelling persons with chronic spinal cord injury in Switzerland.
METHODS: Descriptive analyses of the recruitment process, participant
characteristics, and correspondence between self-reported and clinical data.
Determinants for participation and the impact of non-response on survey results
were assessed. RESULTS: Out of 3,144 eligible persons 1,549 participated in the
first two modules (cumulative response rate 49.3%). Approximately three-quarters
of participants were male, with a median age of 53 years, and 78% had traumatic
spinal cord injury. Record-linkage with medical records demonstrated substantial
agreement with self-reported demographic and lesion characteristics. A minimal
non-response bias was found. CONCLUSIONS: The community survey was effective in
recruiting an unbiased sample, thus providing valuable information to study
functioning, health maintenance, and quality of life in the Swiss SCI community.

Langue : ANGLAIS