John Mitchell1, Joanne Nunnerley2, Chris Frampton3, Tracey Croot4, Alpesh Patel5, Rowan Schouten6. 1. Principal Investigator, Orthopaedic Registrar, Middlemore Hospital. 2. Co Investigator, Research Supervisor and Coordinator, Research Fellow/Academy Director, University of Otago, Christchurch; Burwood Academy of Independent Living. 3. Co Investigator, Statistician, Professor Biostatistics, University of Otago, Christchurch. 4. Co Investigator, Burwood Coordinator, NZ Spinal Cord Injury Registry. 5. Research Supervisor and Coordinator; Orthopaedic Consultant, Middlemore Hospital. 6. Research Supervisor and Coordinator, Orthopaedic Consultant, Christchurch Hospital.
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the epidemiology of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in New Zealand over a 10-year period. METHODS: Ambispective data of all new patients admitted to New Zealand's two spinal rehabilitation units between January 2007 and December 2016 (n=929) were collated. Variables assessed included age at injury, gender, ethnicity, date of injury, aetiology, length of hospital stay, injury level, neurological status on discharge and discharge destination. RESULTS: The incidence of TSCI averaged 22 (95% CI 21-24) per million, increasing 6% a year. The average incidence for Māori (29 per million people (95% CI 25-34)) was 1.8 times higher than New Zealand European (16 per million people (95% CI 15-18)), and show an increase of 14% a year. The median age of TSCI increased from 43 to 48 years. Overall, falls (32%), transport (32%) and sports (22%) were the most common causes of TSCI. Cervical TSCI (54%) were most common, particularly in older adults (70% over 75 years) and Māori (61%) and Pacific Island (72%) patients. Surgical rates remained stable (77%) but length of stay in hospital decreased over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The demographic of TSCI is changing in New Zealand. The median age of patients is increasing, as is the incidence, particularly for women, older adults and Māori patients.
AIM: To investigate the epidemiology of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in New Zealand over a 10-year period. METHODS: Ambispective data of all new patients admitted to New Zealand's two spinal rehabilitation units between January 2007 and December 2016 (n=929) were collated. Variables assessed included age at injury, gender, ethnicity, date of injury, aetiology, length of hospital stay, injury level, neurological status on discharge and discharge destination. RESULTS: The incidence of TSCI averaged 22 (95% CI 21-24) per million, increasing 6% a year. The average incidence for Māori (29 per million people (95% CI 25-34)) was 1.8 times higher than New Zealand European (16 per million people (95% CI 15-18)), and show an increase of 14% a year. The median age of TSCI increased from 43 to 48 years. Overall, falls (32%), transport (32%) and sports (22%) were the most common causes of TSCI. Cervical TSCI (54%) were most common, particularly in older adults (70% over 75 years) and Māori (61%) and Pacific Island (72%) patients. Surgical rates remained stable (77%) but length of stay in hospital decreased over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The demographic of TSCI is changing in New Zealand. The median age of patients is increasing, as is the incidence, particularly for women, older adults and Māori patients.
Authors: Yalisma Andrea Giraldo; José Luis Castro; Maria A Tovar-Sánchez; Annora A Kumar; Sara G Pacichana-Quinayáz; Francisco J Bonilla-Escobar Journal: Spinal Cord Ser Cases Date: 2021-05-25