Racial Differences in Work-Related Spinal Cord Injury

• Published in: Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation Vol. 104; no. 3; p. e47
• Main Authors: Hsu, Kyle, Wen, Huacong, Turnley, Michelle, Marwitz, Jennifer
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-03-2023
• Subjects: Occupational Injuries; Racial Difference; Spinal Cord Injury; Racial Difference; Occupational Injuries; Spinal Cord Injury
• ISSN: 0003-9993; 1532-821X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2022.12.136

To investigate the racial differences in work-related injury among people with spinal cord injury (SCI).
Cross-sectional analysis of survey data from the National SCI Model Systems (SCIMS) database.
SCIMS centers.
5,974 participants (763 Hispanic, 1,478 Non-Hispanic Black, 3,484 Non-Hispanic White, and 249 other races) between the ages of 18-65 with SCI injured between 2010 and 2019.
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Cause of SCI as incurred in the course of employment.
Significant differences were noted for demographics, injury-related factors, and English language ability across racial groups. Compared to other racial groups, Hispanics were younger, more likely to be male, employed, have less than a high school education, have paraplegic American Spinal Cord Injury Association Impairment Scale A, B, or C injuries, and have less English-speaking ability. Work-related injuries were found to occur in 9.7% of the sample (n=581) with Hispanics having a higher percentage than other racial groups (15.6%, P< 0.001), especially among those who are male (17.8%, P< 0.0001) or injured by falls (41.5%, P< 0.0001). When accounting for demographic and injury-related factors (sex, marital status, education, age, cause of injury, and severity of SCI), Hispanics had a higher likelihood of work-related injury when compared with non-Hispanic Blacks (Odds ratio 1.59, 95% Confidence interval (CI) 1.12-2.24). After accounting for English speaking ability, the odds of work-related injury decreased to 1.254 (95% CI 0.87-1.82).
Racial differences are present in work-related SCI, and the extent of these differences may be explained by English speaking ability. Our study findings provide a foundation for future research to explore factors that contribute to racial differences in work-related SCI, which could aid in prevention as well as clinical management.
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