Long-term Follow-up of Myelomeningocele Patients: Factors That Can Affect Their Walking Ability.
Wheelchair reliance rose sharply over time in mildest myelomeningocele patients
Long-term Follow-up of Myelomeningocele Patients: Factors That Can Affect Their Walking Ability.
With spina bifida are living longer and more productive lives; however, many continue to experience functional limitations in adulthood.
This study evaluated long-term functional progression and ambulatory status using the combined Myelomeningocele Functional Classification (Myelomeningocele Functional Classification) and Functional Mobility Scale (Functional Mobility Scale), and examined factors associated with long-term changes.
A retrospective review at a tertiary care rehabilitation center identified 168 patients with spina bifida.
Wheelchair use in the least severe group rose from 48% to 80%
Fifty-two percent of patients were ≥18 years of age at final follow-up.
Eighty percent of the MMFC2 patients were able to complete the 50-yard walk test at initial classification, whereas only 60% were able to complete it at final follow-up.
Within the MMFC3 cohort, there was a decline in patients requiring no external support (Functional Mobility Scale 6,6,6) from 90% to 78%.
A statistically significant relationship was found between functional speed (functional speed) and Myelomeningocele Functional Classification (with MMFC4 faster than MMFC3 and MMFC2) (P=0.01414).
Long-term follow-up demonstrates that functional classification may decline over time in MMFC1 to 3 cohorts, whereas MMFC4 remains stable.
In addition, within individual cohorts (MMFC1 to 3), there was also a decline in Functional Mobility Scale and functional walk testing.
A positive and statistically significant relationship was observed between gait analysis functional speed and Myelomeningocele Functional Classification, and a negative and statistically significant relationship was observed between BMI and Myelomeningocele Functional Classification.