The association of age, pain, and fatigue with physical functioning and depressive symptoms in persons with spinal cord injury

Abstract

Context/objective

To describe the relationship of pain and fatigue with physical and psychological functioning in adults with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting

Community-based survey.

Participants

Convenience sample of individuals with SCI.

Intervention

Not applicable.

Outcome measures

Physical functioning (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Functioning item bank items), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)), pain severity (0–10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)), and fatigue (0–10 NRS).

Results

Pain and fatigue were independently associated with depression, but only pain was associated with physical functioning. Additionally, depression was more severe among middle-aged participants relative to younger or older participants. Physical functioning declined with increasing age, as well as with higher level of injury.

Conclusions

The findings support the need for continued development of effective treatments for both pain and fatigue in order to prevent and mitigate the negative effects these symptoms can have on functioning.

Keywords:

• Pain
• Fatigue
• Spinal cord injuries
• Depression
• Mood
• Function
• Physical
• Outcomes
• Rehabilitation
• Model system

Acknowledgement

This paper is based on original research conducted in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington. Funding for this study was provided through a grant from the Department of Education, NIDRR grant number H133B080024.