Abstract: There are number of perspectives associated with the scientific study and interpretation of aging in the general population that also relate to the study of aging with spinal cord injury (SCI). These include era and survivor effects and have implications for design, analysis and interpretation of SCI aging research, which, in turn, have implications for planning, policy and clinical practice. Several factors specifically related to SCI also have implications for design, analysis and interpretation of SCI aging research.

These include duration of injury, age at injury, neurological impairment (level and completeness of injury), and gender. Considering the skin, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, nervous, endocrine, and immune physiologic systems, appropriate research specific to a particular system and related morbidity in those aging with spinal cord injury is currently limited to the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Research on certain aspects of aging with SCI is not currently feasible due to the rate and magnitude of historical changes in treatment and rehabilitation of SCI; and currently most research pertaining to aging with SCI will be highly subject to survivor effects. Nevertheless, there is a need for research on aging with SCI and many opportunities with regard to gaps in knowledge.

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By Rodney H. Adkins
Co-Director, Regional Spinal Cord Injury Care System of Southern California at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, 7601 East Imperial Highway, HB 206, Downey, CA 90242, USA

NeuroRehabilitation 19 (2004) 3–13 3
IOS Press