Health outcome among American Indians with spinal cord injury

Objective: To identify factors related to risk for poor health outcomes and secondary conditions in a sample of American Indians with spinal cord inju ry (SCI). Design: Interviews were conducted by telephone with most participants; thos e who did not have telephones returned materials by mail. Setting: A large rehabilitation hospital in the Western/Mountain region of the United States. Participants: Ninety-seven American Indians with SCI completed a comprehens ive health interview. All participants were adults with traumatic SCI and w ere at least 1 year postinjury. Main Outcome Measures: Selected items from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surve illance System were used to assess health behaviors and general health outc omes. Two secondary conditions were also investigated as outcome measures: pressure sores and post-SCI injuries. Results: Multiple linear regression was used to predict seven health-relate d outcomes. Depressive symptomatology and post-SCI injuries were the primar y predictors of the majority of health outcomes. Alcohol consumption was as sociated with a greater risk for post-SCI injuries, and being older at inju ry was associated with poorer health outcomes. Conclusions: Interventions to reduce depression, injuries, and alcohol misu se have potential for improving health among American Indians with SCI.