Table 2 Morbidity profile of the study participants according to the first contact of care
| Â | Â | First contact of care | Â | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|  | GP (n = 483) | Specialist (n = 612) |  | |
N = 1095 | Moderate/ Major problem1 | Moderate/ Major problem1 | Statistical significance2 | |
SCI-SCS score, (mean ± SD) | (14.0 ± 7.5) | (13.1 ± 7.7) | (14.6 ± 7.3) | ††|
Genitourinary and bowel | ||||
 Bowel dysfunction, n (%) | 469 (43) | 187 (40) | 282 (60) | * |
 Bladder dysfunction, n (%) | 488 (45) | 200 (41) | 288 (59) |  |
 Sexual dysfunction, n (%) | 608 (56) | 242 (40) | 366 (60) | ** |
 Urinary tract infections, n (%) | 389 (36) | 155 (40) | 234 (60) | * |
Muscle structure and pain | ||||
 Contractures, n (%) | 378 (35) | 162 (43) | 216 (57) |  |
 Pain, n (%) | 620 (57) | 274 (44) | 346 (56) |  |
 Muscle spasm (spasticity), n (%) | 518 (47) | 204 (39) | 314 (61) | ** |
Skin, breathing and metabolism | ||||
 Pressure injuries, n (%) | 176 (16) | 73 (41) | 103 (59) |  |
 Diabetes mellitus, n (%) | 71 (6) | 45 (63) | 26 (37) | ** |
 Respiratory problems, n (%) | 111 (10) | 49 (44) | 62 (56) |  |
 Injury due to loss of sensation, n (%) | 100 (9) | 39 (39) | 61 (61) |  |
Circulatory and autonomic problems | ||||
 Autonomic dysreflexia, n (%) | 145 (13) | 52 (36) | 93 (64) | * |
 Postural hypotension, n (%) | 87 (8) | 32 (37) | 55 (63) |  |
 Circulatory problems, n (%) | 219 (20) | 92 (42) | 127 (58) |  |
 Heterotopic bone ossification, n (%) | 42 (4) | 22 (52) | 20 (48) |  |
Other chronic conditions | ||||
 Coronary heart disease, n (%) | 112 (10) | 62 (55) | 50 (45) | * |
 Cancer, n (%) | 73 (7) | 37 (51) | 36 (49) |  |
 Depression, n (%) | 154 (14) | 72 (47) | 82 (53) |  |
 Sleep problems, n (%) | 384 (35) | 158 (41) | 226 (59) |  |