Epidemiological features of traumatic spinal cord injury in Anhui Province, China.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective hospital-based study.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the epidemiologic features of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in Anhui Province.

SETTING

Two hospitals within Anhui Province, China.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records on all patients with TSCI, admitted between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2010 (n=761). Variables included age, gender, occupation, neurological level, severity of injury, cause and treatment.

RESULTS

Seven hundred and sixty-one cases of TSCI were identified. Five hundred and eighty eight were males (77.3%) and 173 were females (22.7%), with a mean age of 45 years (s.d.=13, range from 5 to 87). Fall from height was the leading cause of injury (52.6%), followed by transport (21.2%). The neurological lesion levels were cervical (46.3%), lumbosacral (33.3%) and thoracic (20.4%).

CONCLUSION

Prevention strategies for TSCI should target 30-60 age group, males, farmers and fall from height. The results of this study will serve as a basis for further studies on TSCI. The prevention strategies and treatment should be designed according to the injury features.