Changes in body composition during and after inpatient rehabilitation in people with recent spinal cord injury

This study looked at how body composition changes in people who recently experienced a spinal cord injury (SCI) during their initial rehabilitation in the hospital and up to a year after they were discharged. The researchers wanted to see if these changes differed based on personal factors like age and sex, as well as the specifics of their injury. They found that while body composition remained relatively stable during inpatient rehabilitation, there was a significant increase in BMI (Body Mass Index) in the year following discharge. Furthermore, individuals with paraplegia experienced a greater increase in waist circumference compared to those with tetraplegia.

• 1
  During inpatient rehabilitation, no significant changes in all body composition parameters were found.
• 2
  During the first year after discharge, body mass index (26.8 kg/m2) significantly increased compared with the level at both admission (25.4 kg/m2; p = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.32–2.52) and discharge (25.1 kg/m2; p = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.26–3.00).
• 3
  People with paraplegia showed an increase in absolute waist circumference (6.5%) compared with people with tetraplegia who showed a net decrease (−5.5%) in the year after discharge (p = 0.047, 95% CI: 0.27–33.62).