Review of spinal cord injuries in Ireland.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective data collection on all patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) admitted for a comprehensive management programme.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the epidemiology of SCI in Ireland over 1 year.

SETTING

Ireland's National Spinal Cord Injury Centre.

METHODS

Systematic data collection on all patients admitted with SCI for management.

RESULTS

A total of 46 patients (40 males) were admitted from January to December 2000; median age was 37 years (range 6-82 years). In all, 23 of the patients presented with cervical injuries, 19 patients had thoracic injuries. In all, 18 patients had complete injuries (American spinal injuries association (ASIA)). Motor vehicle collisions were the cause of 50% of SCI.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of SCI in Ireland is 13.1 per million population. Demographic data from this study can go towards improving care for patients with SCI and also in the prevention of SCI.