Spinal Cord Injury Increases Risk for Mental Health Disorders

A new study finds adults with traumatic spinal cord injury are at an increased risk of developing mental health disorders and secondary chronic diseases compared to adults without the condition.

April 21, 2020 10:51 AM

Author | Kylie Urban

Image by Stephanie King

In a new study, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, researchers from Michigan Medicine find adults with spinal cord injury are at a higher risk of developing mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety, compared to adults without the condition.

The research team examined insurance claims data for adults, both with traumatic spinal cord injury and those without the condition, enrolled in a health insurance plan for at least three consecutive years and their diagnosis of a mental health disorder. In particular, they found adults with spinal cord injury had a higher incidence of anxiety disorders (19.3% vs 14.1%), depressive disorders (29.3% vs 9.3%), and psychological multimorbidity, or having more than two mental health conditions (37.4% vs 23.9%), as compared to adults without spinal cord injury.

"We also found that individuals with spinal cord injury had an increased risk of developing other chronic diseases, including cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, diabetes, liver disease, cancer, arthritis, circulatory conditions and electrolyte disorders," says Mark Peterson, Ph.D., M.S., FACSM, the Charles E. Lytle, Jr. Research Professor in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Michigan Medicine and the lead author of the study. "Which makes sense, as patients with spinal cord injuries have extreme sedentary behavior including prolonged bed rest after injury."

Denise Tate, Ph.D., ABPP, FACRM, a professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Michigan Medicine and the senior author of the study, notes that much of the past research regarding spinal cord injury focuses on physical health outcomes. She says this study highlights the need for understanding this patient population's mental health and clinical care needs, as they're critical to overall quality of life and well-being in patients with spinal cord injury.

Peterson agrees, "Clinicians caring for adults with spinal cord injury need to be aware of the increased risk of developing mental health disorders in this patient population. This may be particularly important during these recent times of social distancing due to COVID-19, as these patients often already experience social isolation."

Paper cited: "Psychological Morbidity and Chronic Disease Among Adults With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries," Mayo Clinic Proceedings. DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.11.029

Featured News & Stories

floating AI-type images in red and blues and yellow on blue background

Health Lab

Racial differences in medical testing could introduce bias to AI models

Black patients are less likely than white patients to receive certain medical tests that doctors use to diagnose severe disease, impacting artificial intelligence data. But researchers have found a way to correct the bias in these data sets.

surgeon close up operating in bright lighted room

Health Lab

In 10 seconds, AI model detects cancerous brain tumor often missed during surgery

Researchers have developed an AI powered model that — in 10 seconds — can determine during surgery if any part of a cancerous brain tumor that could be removed remains, a study published in Nature suggests.

Minding Memory

Can a personalized music intervention reduce behavioral disturbances in dementia?

While memory loss is generally thought of as the hallmark of dementia, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia like agitation, aggression, anxiety, and hallucinations are nearly universal, affecting almost all patients with advanced dementia. These behavioral disturbances are often the trigger for nursing home placement, and they can be highly distressing for both patients and their care partners. In today’s episode, Matt and Lauren speak with Dr. Ellen McCreedy, a researcher from the Brown School of Public Health who has conducted a study of personalized music intervention called Music & Memory for people living with dementia in nursing homes. Dr. McCreedy is a gerontologist and health services researcher who focuses on evaluation of non-pharmacologic interventions for managing behavioral disturbances of people living with dementia.

family of four sitting on couch in living room looking at an ipad laughing

Health Lab

Grandparents help grandkids in many ways – but the reverse may be true too

A poll shows the many ways (childcare, nutrition, major expenses) that grandparents help their grandchildren, but also suggests a link to older adults’ sense of isolation and their mental health.

Health Lab

5 ways to manage politically induced stress

A Michigan Medicine psychiatrist offers strategies for how to be mindful of depression and anxiety symptoms around the topic of politics.

Health Lab

The brain in balance

In a recent study, using network neuroscience, investigators found a way to objectively determine the balance of integration and segregation in fMRI-measured brain signals during wakefulness as well as during sleep and anesthesia.

Global Footer Secondary Navigation