Traumatic spinal cord injury in South Korea for 13 years (2008–2020)

Scientific Reports, 2024 · DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57965-4 · Published: March 23, 2024

Spinal Cord Injury Healthcare Public Health

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the incidence and treatment of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in South Korea from 2008 to 2020 using data from 30,979 patients. The research analyzes treatment trends, surgical locations and methods, comorbidities, and factors affecting hospital stay and readmission. The study found that a quarter of TSCI patients underwent surgery, with an increasing trend over the years. Longer hospital stays were associated with thoracic spine injury, older age, higher comorbidity index, and male sex. Readmission was linked to age 40-59, lumbar/sacral injuries, higher comorbidity index, and female sex.

Study Duration

13 years

Participants

30,979 newly diagnosed TSCI patients

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
A quarter of TSCI patients underwent surgery, and surgical treatments increased annually.
2
Factors influencing hospital stay included male sex, older age, and higher Charlson comorbidity index (CCI).
3
Female sex and higher CCI scores were associated with readmission.

Research Summary

The study analyzed 30,979 TSCI patients in South Korea from 2008 to 2020, finding that 25% underwent surgery, with an increasing trend. Risk factors for longer hospital stays included thoracic spine injury, older age, higher CCI, and male sex, while readmission risk factors were age 40–59, lumbar/sacral injuries, CCI of 2, and female sex. The research highlights the importance of understanding these factors for better management and care of TSCI patients.

Practical Implications

Improved Surgical Planning

The increasing trend in surgical treatments suggests a need for optimizing surgical planning and resource allocation for TSCI patients.

Targeted Rehabilitation Programs

Identifying risk factors for longer hospital stays and readmission can help design targeted rehabilitation programs to reduce these outcomes.

Gender-Specific Care

The differing impact of sex on hospital stay and readmission indicates the need for gender-specific care strategies in TSCI management.

Study Limitations

1
Data limitations due to the HIRA database being primarily for invoicing, which may lead to omissions or errors.
2
Lack of clinical information such as pain level, neurological status, quality of life, and reasons for readmission.
3
The reason for readmission was unknown; thus, it is undetermined whether the readmission was related to TSCI surgery.

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