Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42603827›Full record

ArticleSpinal cord series and cases2026

Skin and tissue changes after spinal cord injury-A scoping review.

Leander G Melin, Knaerke Soegaard, Fin Biering-Soerensen, Dimitri Beeckman, Jens A Soerensen

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in Spinal cord series and cases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Leander G MelinResearch Unit for Plastic Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark. Leander.gaarde.melin@rsyd.dk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8101-2630
Knaerke SoegaardResearch Unit for Plastic Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5826-4469
Fin Biering-SoerensenDepartment of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2186-0144
Dimitri BeeckmanSkin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3080-8716
Jens A SoerensenResearch Unit for Plastic Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

STUDY

designScoping review.

objectivesSpinal cord injury causes complex and severe changes in affected skin and underlying tissues, increasing the risk of pressure ulcer development and impeding wound healing. This scoping review provides an updated overview on skin and tissue changes after spinal cord injury. Given the complexity and inconsistent evidence of the topic, this review outlines current knowledge and highlights research gaps.

methodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS databases. Studies written in English addressing skin and tissue changes after spinal cord injury were included, with no restrictions on study type or publication year. Two reviewers independently screened the studies, and eligible articles were organized into the following six subgroups: 1) histopathology, 2) ultrasonography, 3) biomechanical properties, 4) skin perfusion, 5) sebum- and sweat gland excretion, and 6) microbiota.

resultsOut of 5387 articles screened, twenty-three met the inclusion criteria. Findings revealed epidermal atrophy characterized by progressive thinning over time, while the dermal layer demonstrated fibrosis and reduced collagen synthesis. Results on skin thickness were inconsistent, though increased tissue stiffness was consistently reported. Skin perfusion was compromised, with diminished reactive hyperemia, impaired vascular autoregulation, and reduced spontaneous skin oxygenation.

conclusionSkin and tissue affected by spinal cord injury exhibit compromised quality with characteristics of aged and injured skin. Consequently, the skin is less able to resist pressure, shear stress, and ischemia. The reviewed literature reveals substantial gaps in knowledge, underscoring the need for further research to improve clinical care and management.

Indexed as

SkinSpinal Cord InjuriesHumansPressure Ulcer

Identifiers

PMID42603827
PMCPMC13477470

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.