The association between economic indicators and the incidence of tetraplegia from traumatic spinal cord injury in Taiwan

This study investigates the relationship between a country's economic status, measured by GDP per capita, and the occurrence of traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCI) leading to tetraplegia (paralysis of all four limbs). The research focuses on data from Taiwan between 2002 and 2015. The researchers analyzed data on newly diagnosed SCI patients, considering factors like sex, urbanization, literacy, income inequality, and the impact of the global financial crisis. They looked at how the incidence of SCI and tetraplegia changed in relation to changes in GDP per capita. The study found an inverse relationship, suggesting that as Taiwan's economy improved (higher GDP per capita), the incidence of traumatic SCI resulting in tetraplegia decreased. This suggests that economic improvements may lead to better infrastructure, transportation, and public health services, reducing the risk of such injuries.

• 1
  The incidence of various types of SCI, including traumatic SCI and tetraplegia, was inversely correlated with GDP per capita.
• 2
  When GDP per capita increased by 1%, the total SCI decreased by 1.39‰, with similar decreases observed for traumatic SCI, MV-related SCI, fall-related SCI, and tetraplegia subtypes.
• 3
  Urbanization was also an independent factor for reduction in the occurrence of SCI.