Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in the United States, 1993–2012

JAMA, 2015 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2015.6250 · Published: June 9, 2015

Simple Explanation

This study examines national trends in traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCI) in the U.S. from 1993 to 2012, using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases. The aim was to understand how the incidence, causes, and outcomes of SCI have changed over time. The researchers analyzed data from over 63,000 patients, looking at factors like age, sex, causes of injury (e.g., falls, motor vehicle crashes, firearm injuries), surgical procedures performed, and in-hospital mortality rates. The study found that while the overall rate of SCI remained relatively stable, the number of cases increased due to population growth. A significant rise in SCI caused by falls was observed in older adults, and in-hospital mortality remained high, particularly among the elderly.

Study Duration

19 Years

Participants

63 109 patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The incidence rate of acute traumatic spinal cord injury remained relatively stable between 1993 and 2012.
2
There was a significant increase in spinal cord injuries resulting from falls, particularly among those aged 65 years or older.
3
In-hospital mortality remained high, especially among elderly persons with spinal cord injuries.

Research Summary

This study analyzed national trends in acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in the United States from 1993 to 2012 using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. The study found that the overall incidence rate of SCI remained relatively stable, but the total number of cases increased due to population growth, particularly among older adults. Falls have become a more significant cause of SCI in the elderly, and in-hospital mortality remains a concern, highlighting the need for targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

Practical Implications

Prevention Strategies

Develop and implement targeted prevention strategies to reduce falls among the elderly, addressing a major cause of increased SCI incidence in this population.

Healthcare Resource Allocation

Allocate healthcare resources to address the increasing number of SCI cases, particularly among older adults, ensuring adequate treatment and rehabilitation services.

Mortality Reduction

Implement strategies to reduce in-hospital mortality among elderly persons with SCI, focusing on improved acute care and management of complications.

Study Limitations

1
The NIS database does not include acute spinal cord injury cases from federal facilities.
2
There may be errors in coding of acute traumatic spinal cord injury.
3
The NIS database does not include information on variables such as degree of neurologic deficits and clinical functional outcomes.

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