Table 1 Predictor and outcome variables

A. Predictor variabels

 Age

Continuous;

 Level of injury

Cervical; Thoracic

 AIS at admission

Grade A = 1: no motor or sensory function is preserved in the sacral segments

Grade B = 2: sensory but no motor function is preserved below the neurological level and includes the sacral segments

Grade C = 3: motor function is preserved below the neurological level, and more than half of key muscles below this level have a muscle grade less than 3

Grade D = 4: motor function is preserved below the neurological level, and more than half of key muscles below this level have a muscle grade of 3 or more

 Baseline AMS

Continuous; Rang: 0–100

 BASIC score

0 = normal; 1 = GM only; 2 = some WM; 3 = all WM in plane; 4 = with hemorrhage

 Time to operation

Eraly surgery (= < 24 h); Delayed surgery (> 24 h)

B. Outcome variables

 SCIM III

 Self care

1. Feeding/3

2. Bathing

  A. Upper body/3

  B. Lower body/3

3. Dressing

  A. Upper body/4

  B. Lower body/4

4. Grooming/3

 Respiration and sphincter

5. Respiration/10

6. Sphincter management—bladder/15

7. Sphincter management—bowel/10

8. Use of toilet/5

 Mobility (room and toilet)

9. Mobility in bed and action to prevent pressure sores/6

10. Transfers: bed-wheelchair/2

11. Transfers: wheelchair-toilet-tub /2

 Mobility (indoors and outdoors)

12. Mobility indoors/8

13. Mobility for moderate distances (10–100 m)/8

14. Mobility outdoors (more than 100 m) /8

15. Stair management/3

16. Transfers: wheelchair-car/2

17. Transfers: ground-wheelchair/1