This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Rabadi MH, Vincent AS. Colonoscopic lesions in veterans with spinal cord injury. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2012; 49(2):257–64. Slideshow Project DOI: /JRRD JSP Colonoscopic lesions in veterans with spinal cord injury Meheroz H. Rabadi, MD, MRCPI, FAAN; Andrea S. Vincent, PhD
This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Rabadi MH, Vincent AS. Colonoscopic lesions in veterans with spinal cord injury. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2012; 49(2):257–64. Slideshow Project DOI: /JRRD JSP Aim – Determine type and prevalence of colonoscopic lesions in veterans with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). – Examine relationship of these lesions to injury level, completeness, and duration. Relevance – Bowel dysfunction is distressing to SCI patients and demands extensive time and assistance from providers. – Although VHA directive stipulates that veterans receive colon cancer screening by colonoscopy, SCI patients receive fewer colonoscopies than general population.
This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Rabadi MH, Vincent AS. Colonoscopic lesions in veterans with spinal cord injury. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2012; 49(2):257–64. Slideshow Project DOI: /JRRD JSP Methods We retrospectively reviewed electronic charts of veterans with SCI regularly followed in our SCI clinic. – Of 87 veterans with SCI, 71 who were 50 or older were included. – Demographic variables (sex, race/ethnicity, age at SCI onset, and SCI duration) were matched for: Veterans with SCI who did vs did not undergo colonoscopies. Veterans with SCI vs veterans without SCI (controls) who underwent colonoscopies.
This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Rabadi MH, Vincent AS. Colonoscopic lesions in veterans with spinal cord injury. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2012; 49(2):257–64. Slideshow Project DOI: /JRRD JSP Results 28 (39%) of 71 veterans with SCI underwent colonoscopies. – 26 (93%) had colonoscopic lesions. Most common: Diverticulae, internal hemorrhoids, polyps. No relationship between colonoscopic lesion type and SCI location/severity. Significant relationship between total colono- scopic lesions and SCI. Controls had significantly more colonoscopic lesions than veterans with SCI who underwent colonoscopies.
This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Rabadi MH, Vincent AS. Colonoscopic lesions in veterans with spinal cord injury. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2012; 49(2):257–64. Slideshow Project DOI: /JRRD JSP Conclusions Our findings: – High prevalence (93%) of colonoscopic lesions in veterans with traumatic SCI. – Lesions were mainly diverticulae, internal hemorrhoids, and polyps. – Increasing incidence of total colonoscopic lesions with age. Clinicians must remind veterans of benefits of adhering to a daily bowel care program, because GI problems negatively affect patients’ quality of life and limit their independence.