Epidemiological features of traumatic spinal cord injury in Anhui Province, China

Abstract

Study design: A retrospective hospital-based study.

Objectives: To describe the epidemiologic features of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in Anhui Province.

Setting: Two hospitals within Anhui Province, China.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records on all patients with TSCI, admitted between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2010 (n=761). Variables included age, gender, occupation, neurological level, severity of injury, cause and treatment.

Results: Seven hundred and sixty-one cases of TSCI were identified. Five hundred and eighty eight were males (77.3%) and 173 were females (22.7%), with a mean age of 45 years (s.d.=13, range from 5 to 87). Fall from height was the leading cause of injury (52.6%), followed by transport (21.2%). The neurological lesion levels were cervical (46.3%), lumbosacral (33.3%) and thoracic (20.4%).

Conclusion: Prevention strategies for TSCI should target 30-60 age group, males, farmers and fall from height. The results of this study will serve as a basis for further studies on TSCI. The prevention strategies and treatment should be designed according to the injury features.