Table 4.

Deterioration in function during referral in patients with malignant spinal cord compression

Stage	Motor function			Bladder function
	No (%) ambulant	No (%) deteriorating ⩾ 1 grade		No (%) catheter free	No (%) deteriorating ⩾ 1 grade
General practice	149/213 (70)	57/213 (28)		184/205 (90)	36/205 (18)
District general hospital	131/233 (56)	83/233 (36)		178/228 (78)	66/228 (29)
Treatment unit	109/299 (36)	19/299 (6)		164/289 (57)	15/289 (5)
Treatment	99/299 (33)	NA		152/284 (52)	NA
χ2		56.3			54.3
P value		<0.001			<0.001

NA = not applicable.