Adults with spina bifida: A cross-sectional study of health issues and living conditionsShow others and affiliations
2020 (English)In: Brain and Behavior, E-ISSN 2162-3279, Vol. 10, no 8, article id e01736Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
OBJECTIVE: To describe health issues and living conditions in a cohort of adults living with Spina bifida.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted by a multidisciplinary team. Adults with spina bifida (n = 219) were invited to participate. One-hundred-and-ninety-six persons (104 women and 92 men; 18-73 years, median age 33 years) were included. Structured interviews, questionnaires, and clinical assessments for medical, social, physical, and cognitive functions were used.
RESULTS: There was large variation among participants as regards the consequences of their spina bifida. Individuals < 46 years seemed to have more secondary conditions such as hydrocephalus, Chiari II malformation, tethered cord symptoms, and latex allergy. A higher proportion of the individuals >46 years and older was able to walk, and they had performed better in primary school and on tests of psychomotor speed and executive function.
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that adults with spina bifida have a complex set of physical, cognitive, and social needs that need to be addressed in order to improve their health issues and living conditions. The high prevalence of urinary and fecal incontinence, pain, and overweight underline that these issues need much attention during follow-up. The future generations of older adults may need more attention in many ways, since they at a younger age do have more complex medical conditions, lower physical and cognitive functions, and lower prerequisites for independent living and participation in society than those > 46 years today. This elucidates that adults with spina bifida need systematic follow-up services and social support throughout life.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
John Wiley & Sons, 2020. Vol. 10, no 8, article id e01736
Keywords [en]
Adult, health issues, living conditions, myelomeningocele, spina bifida
National Category
Gerontology, specialising in Medical and Health Sciences Nursing
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:rkh:diva-4560DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1736PubMedID: 32633090OAI: oai:DiVA.org:rkh-4560DiVA, id: diva2:1747553
Note
Funding Agencies:
Caroline Montgomery Foundation
Norrbacka-Eugenia Foundation
Foundation of Neuro Sweden
Foundation of Linnea and Josef Carlsson
2020-08-262023-03-302024-09-04Bibliographically approved
In thesis