Spinal cord injury: a 25-year morbidity and mortality study.

The morbidity and mortality occurring during 25 years following spinal cord injury were analyzed. A cohort of 230 patients was selected from the Vietnam Head and Spinal Cord Injury Study Registry meeting the following criteria: (1) survival beyond triage (72 hours); (2) significant myelopathy; and (3) availability of medical records. The military and Veteran's Hospital medical records were compiled and reviewed. Additional death records were obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs pension office. The major morbidity problems continue to be sepsis related to genitourinary and decubiti sequelae. Psychosocial maladjustment and substance abuse were prevalent and created heavy health care demand. The most frequent cause of death was sepsis. Suicide in the paraplegic group occurred at a rate exceeding by 10 times the frequency reported for uninjured peers. Survival after 5 years approached but never reached the rate established for uninjured peers.