Epidemiology of spinal cord injury and associated mortality, past and present. Is there a difference?

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-14-2024

Publication Title

World neurosurgery

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The demographics of spinal cord injury population has been dynamic over time especially with aging. This study investigated the patterns of SCI admissions by age in the United States over the past decade.

METHODS: Data was evaluated (2010-21), from the National Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems records. Patients were compared based on age (≥70 years). Analysis of mortality, neurologic level of injury, neurologic improvement, and mortality by ASIA grade and neurologic level of injury. Patients greater than 70 were defined as elderly.

RESULTS: 8,137 patients were reviewed with mean age 42.6 years (range 15-88). The mean admission rate per year was 678 (range 378 -758). For the elderly vs the younger cohort, incidence of fall decreased by 5% vs 3.3%, vehicle accidents increased by 3% vs 14%, high tetraplegia increased by 14.7% vs 22.5%, low tetraplegia decreased by 12% vs 5.7%. In the elderly, ASIA grades A, B and C decreased significantly while ASIA Grade D increased by 23.8%. In the younger cohort ASIA A and B injuries increased while C and D increased, all

CONCLUSION: The incidence of SCI increased. High cervical and incomplete injuries increased, while complete spinal cord injuries declined. In-hospital and 1-year mortality decreased. There was recovery in select cases of complete spinal cord injuries within 1 year.

Volume

S1878-8750

Issue

24

First Page

01701-7

DOI

10.1016/j.wneu.2024.10.009

ISSN

1878-8769

PubMed ID

39414135

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS