Article

Cross-sectional, multicenter study. OBJECTIVES: To identify and
quantify the differences in functioning of individuals with tetraplegia versus
paraplegia using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and
Health (ICF) as a frame of reference. SETTING: International. METHODS: Functional
problems of 1048 participants with spinal cord injury in 16 study centers in 14
countries were recorded using ICF categories. The level of significance and odds
ratios (OR) for experiencing each of these functional problems were reported for
individuals with tetraplegia and paraplegia. Regression models were adjusted for
age, age squared, early post-acute or long-term context, gender and for world
regions. RESULTS: Persons with tetraplegia are more at risk than persons with
paraplegia to have difficulties in 36.4% categories of the component body
functions. In the component body structures, 40% of the categories show
significant differences. Individuals with tetraplegia indicate problems in three
categories, whereas individuals with paraplegia are more likely to indicate
problems in one category. Most categories indicating difficulties (56.6%) for
persons with tetraplegia were found for the component activities and
participation. The component with the highest congruency was the environmental
factors. Overall, 3.7% categories (of the persons with tetraplegia as
experienced, 2.4% of the categories as barriers, whereas 4.9% were experienced to
be facilitators) obtained OR, indicating individuals with tetraplegia having more
difficulties. CONCLUSION: The logistic regression analysis identified a variety
of differences in functional problems in individuals with tetraplegia compared
with individuals with paraplegia. The ICF has the potential to indicate the
differences in health conditions.

Langue : ANGLAIS