PREDICTING UNPLANNED HOSPITALIZATIONS IN PERSONS WITH SPINAL-CORD INJURY

A cross-sectional study of 2,305 persons enrolled in the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center data set was conducted to identify risk factors for unplanned rehospitalizations during the most recent follow-up year. All injuries occurred between 1986 and 1992. Stepwise multiple logistic regression was used to assess the effect of each risk factor on the likelihood of rehospitalization. Overall, 26% of persons were hospitalized during the most recent follow-up year. Risk of rehospitalization declined 13% for each successive year postinjury (p < .05). Factors associated with increased likelihood of rehospitalization were lack of college education, indwelling urethral catheter, motor complete injuries, dependence in self-care, and dependence in ambulation. Because the overall model was only 60% sensitive and 63% specific, additional risk factors must be identified before the predictive model would be clinically useful.