The Impact of COVID-19 on Epidemiological Features of Spinal Cord Injury in Wuhan, China: A Comparative Study in Different Time Periods

Medicina, 2023 · DOI: 10.3390/medicina59101699 · Published: September 22, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury COVID-19 Public Health

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the epidemiological profile of spinal cord injury (SCI) in Wuhan, China, comparing the periods during the COVID-19 pandemic and before/after it. The research analyzes patient data to understand how the pandemic may have influenced SCI characteristics. The study retrospectively reviewed medical records of 93 patients with SCI admitted to Wuhan Tongji Hospital from January 2019 to May 2023. Data included demographics, injury characteristics, and treatment methods. The research found differences in age, injury level, and ASIA grade between the COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 periods. Falls remained a common cause of SCI in both periods, with workers being a vulnerable group.

Study Duration

January 2019 to May 2023

Participants

93 patients diagnosed with SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Falls were the most prevalent mechanism of injury, accounting for 50% of cases during the non-COVID-19 period and 37.74% during the COVID-19 period.
2
The most common initial ASIA grade was B in the non-COVID-19 period and grade C in the COVID-19 period. The final ASIA grade after treatment was grade C in the non-COVID-19 period and grade D in the COVID-19 period.
3
A greater proportion of males suffer from SCI, and the primary causes are falls and traffic accidents. Workers are the most vulnerable group to SCI among all patients.

Research Summary

This study described the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with SCI during both non-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods in Hubei province, China, indicating the need for additional research on the epidemiology of SCI in this province. The results emphasized the need for targeted prevention strategies and appropriate and timely rehabilitation programs to improve the outcomes of SCI patients. Future research should focus on investigating the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on SCI patients and exploring potential interventions to mitigate the negative consequences of the pandemic on this vulnerable population.

Practical Implications

Targeted Prevention

Prevention strategies should be customized based on the unique characteristics of SCI patients in specific regions.

Rehabilitation Importance

This study highlights the importance of SCI rehabilitation for improving patient outcomes.

Further Research

Additional research is needed to understand the long-term impact of COVID-19 on SCI incidence and severity.

Study Limitations

1
This study is a descriptive study that relied on data from hospital records and only represents a small proportion of all individuals with SCI in the region.
2
The data for this study were collected retrospectively, meaning that the information from past medical records was reviewed. As a result, some loss of data was inevitable due to incomplete or missing records.
3
Individuals who died at the accident site or on their way to the hospital were not included in this study, which may have resulted in an underestimation of the prevalence rate.

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