Variables related to the time of diagnosis of CP in a group of people with CP from 5 provinces of Argentina

Abstract

Introduction: Early diagnosis of CP offers advantages for people with this condition and their families. It allows early interventions to be initiated that can improve quality of life and prevent complications.

Objective: To determine the association between clinical and sociodemographic variables and age at diagnosis in children and adults with CP.

Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study. Sequential sampling, including persons with a diagnosis of CP. Variables were age at diagnosis, time of injury, gross motor function (GMFCS), educational level (NE) of mother and main breadwinner, and access to rehabilitation. Normal data with means and standard deviations, non-normal data with medians and ranges. Discrete data in percentages with [95%CI]. Fisher's exact test was performed to analyze associations. A multiple linear regression model (MLR) was performed to determine the effect of variables on age at diagnosis (p<0.05).

Results: A total of 424 records were collected. The mean age was 8.32 ±6.32 years. The median age at diagnosis was 12 months. 32 (9.1% ([95%CI 6.3;12.6]), presented late diagnosis (after 3 years of age). A statistically significant difference of late diagnosis was observed according to time of brain injury(p=0.008), GMFCS level(p=0.04), mother's NE(p=0.01), main breadwinner NE(p=0.02) and current rehabilitation(p=0.02). Variables included in the RLM model: level of GMFCS, time of injury and mother's NE. Variables not included: NE of the main breadwinner and whether currently receiving rehabilitation. When adjusting for variables in the RLM, the chances of presenting late diagnosis were: 3.4 times more (p=0.0056 [CI95%1.4;8.12]) for those with postnatal brain injury, 2.1 times more (p=0.0504 [CI95%0.9;4.4] for those with mild GMFCS (I-II) and 2.6 times more (p=0.0086 [CI95%1.2;5.6]) for those whose mother has a low NE.

Conclusions: Individuals with CP who were postnatal at the time of injury, have a mild level of involvement and the mother's NE is low, are more likely to have a late diagnosis of CP.