Evaluation of functional outcomes in traumatic spinal cord injury with rehabilitation-acquired urinary tract infections: A retrospective study

This study looks at how urinary tract infections (UTIs) impact recovery for people with traumatic spinal cord injuries (tSCI) during their initial rehabilitation in the hospital. It aims to see if getting a UTI while in rehab affects how well patients regain their physical abilities. The study found that patients who developed UTIs during their rehabilitation stay had lower motor skills on admission, discharge and their gains were not as significant. They also required longer stays in the hospital compared to those who did not get UTIs. The findings of this study suggest that UTIs can negatively affect functional recovery in people with tSCI during rehabilitation. Preventing UTIs or treating them quickly could help improve outcomes.

• 1
  Patients with UTIs had significantly lower FIM motor scores on admission, discharge, and gain compared to those without a UTI.
• 2
  The length of stay was nearly double in those with a UTI compared to those without.
• 3
  Recurrence of UTI was associated with increased length of stay, but did not impact FIM motor gains.