Epidemiological profile of spinal cord injury from 2011 through 2013 at Xi'an Honghui Hospital

Objective To evaluate the epidemological features and trends of spinal cord injury (SCI) within 3-year at Xi'an Honghui hospital. Methods Using China SCI epidemiology survey software, data of patients with SCI treated between January 2011 to December 2013 were reviewed. Variables included age, gender, causes of injury, combined injuries, level of injury, American spine injury association (ASIA) scale, surgical treatment, complications, and rehabilitation therapy. Results A total of 2, 565 patients were collected with male to female ratio of 4.70∶1 and age of (41.50±11.20)years. Fall at ground level, fall from height and traffic accidents were the top causes of injury, accounting for 89.71%. In all, 2, 426 patients occupying 94.58% had spinal fracture and 1, 513 patients occupying 58.99% were accompanied with other injuries. ASIA scale D was noted in 36.70% of the patients. Operations were performed in 1, 921 patients(74.89%), among which 36.49% (936/2 565) were noted with complications during hospitalization including respiratory disorders(30.7%, 287/936), hyponatremia (17.2%, 161/936), bedsore (15.4%, 144/936), urologic disorders (10.8%, 101/936), deep vein thrombosis (7.7%, 72/936), and others (18.3%, 171/936). Patients transferred to rehabilitation facilities after discharge accounted for 14.30% (338/2 365). Conclusions SCI shows a rise trend, indicating that 40 or over age group showed be careful to prevent fall or traffic accidents. Respiratory complications as the common causes of death in SCI should be highlighted and early meical care should be provided. More SCI patients should start rehabilitation threapy. Key words: Spinal injuries; Epidemiology; Incidence; Investigation