An evidence-based review of aging of the body systems following spinal cord injury

This review examines if spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to premature aging of body systems. It compares research findings on various body systems in individuals with SCI to those of able-bodied individuals to assess whether aging occurs at an accelerated rate. The study looks at several physiological systems, including cardiovascular, endocrine, musculoskeletal, immune, respiratory, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems, to determine if premature aging occurs in some systems after SCI. The findings suggest that some systems, like cardiovascular and musculoskeletal, show signs of premature aging after SCI, while others, like the genitourinary and gastrointestinal systems, do not exhibit such signs.

• 1
  Premature aging appears to occur in the cardiovascular and endocrine systems after SCI, potentially due to inactivity and metabolic abnormalities.
• 2
  The musculoskeletal system shows clear signs of reduced reserve capacity, with evidence of rapid bone loss, particularly in the pelvis and lower limbs, suggesting premature aging.
• 3
  The genitourinary and gastrointestinal systems do not provide evidence of premature aging following SCI, although some declines in renal function and increases in constipation-related symptoms were noted.