The disease pattern and causes of death of spinal cord injured patients in Japan.

In recent years, the lifespan of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Japan has been markedly prolonged, resulting in changes in the pattern of diseases developing after SCI and causes of death. We carried out a questionnaire survey on these problems and obtained the following results: 1. Disease pattern in SCI patients. The morbidity during 3 days in October 1987 and the past history after SCI were investigated in 426 SCI patients, and the results were compared with those in the national health survey carried out by the Japanese government in 1984. The incidence of urological complications and pressure ulcer was high, as was to be expected. In addition, the incidence of diabetes, hypertension, skin diseases, peptic ulcer, and hepatic disease were also significantly higher in the SCI patients. 2. Causes of death in SCI patients. Causes of death were analysed in 522 SCI patients who died, and the results were compared with those of the survey undertaken in 1967. The major causes of death were urinary tract infections and respiratory dysfunction in the early stage of cervical cord injury. Comparison with the results of the survey in 1967 showed a significant decrease in deaths from urinary tract infection; and a significant increase in those from CVA.