Factors Associated with Neurological Recovery in Patients with Non-Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury at Trang Hospital: A Study

Abstract

     This study aimed to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with NTSCI, determine the proportion of neurological recovery within 6 months, and identify factors associated with neurological recovery among patients treated at Trang Hospital. A survey research by retrospective cohort study was conducted using medical records of patients aged 18 years or older who received treatment between October 1, 2020, and September 30, 2025. Of 82 medical records screened, 34 were excluded, leaving 48 patients for analysis. Data were collected using a researcher-developed case record form reviewed by three experts, with an overall Index of Item-Objective Congruence of 0.91. Descriptive statistics, between-group comparisons, and multivariable logistic regression were performed. Statistical significance was set at .05.

     The mean age of the 48 patients was 58.7 ± 13.6 years; 60.4% were male and 72.9% had at least one comorbidity. Cervical degenerative spinal cord compression was the most common etiology, accounting for 56.3% of cases. At 6 months, 27 patients (56.3%) demonstrated improvement of at least one grade on the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS). Multivariable analysis showed that increasing age was associated with lower odds of neurological recovery (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.94; 95% CI 0.89–0.99; p = .021), as were diabetes mellitus (aOR 0.31; 95% CI 0.09–0.98; p = .046) and in-hospital complications (aOR 0.29; 95% CI 0.08–0.97; p = .044). Surgery within 14 days was associated with higher odds of neurological recovery (aOR 3.87; 95% CI 1.14–13.17; p = .031).