Maria Moschovou1, Wolfram Antepohl2, Annette Halvorsen3,4, Ann Louise Pettersen3, Anestis Divanoglou5. 1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. Maria.moschovou@regionostergotland.se. 2. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. 3. Department of Medical Quality Registries, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. 4. Clinic of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Spinal Cord Injuries, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. 5. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. Anestis.divanoglou@regionostergotland.se.
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis. OBJECTIVES: To explore temporal changes in incidence rates, demographic and injury characteristics of incident traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in Nordic countries. METHODS: Peer-reviewed publications and periodic reports about epidemiology of TSCI in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden) are identified, reviewed and included in the meta-analysis. Data are stratified into 20-year intervals to allow for chronological comparisons. Pooled estimates are derived using random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-three data sources are included presenting a total of 5416 cases. The pooled incidence rate for 2001-2020 is 15.4 cases/million/year compared to 17.6 and 18.3 cases/million/year during the two previous 20-year intervals. The proportion of cases with TSCI in the 15-29 age-group decreases from 50% (1961-1980) to 20% (2001-2020), while it increases from 9% to 35% in 60+ age-group. Transportation-related injuries decrease from 44% (1961-1980) to 27% (2001-2020). Conversely, fall-related injuries increase from 32% (1961-1980) to 46% (2001-2020). The proportion of individuals with incomplete tetraplegia increases from 31% (1961-1980) to 43% (2001-2020), while complete paraplegia decreases from 25% to 16%. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of TSCI in the Nordic countries have changed drastically over the last six decades, in line with clinical experiences, and limited research evidence from other countries. These changes indicate the need for adapting research focus, prevention strategies, design and provision of care, rehabilitation and community services towards older individuals, fall-related injuries, and incomplete injuries in Nordic countries and other settings internationally where such changes occur.
STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis. OBJECTIVES: To explore temporal changes in incidence rates, demographic and injury characteristics of incident traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in Nordic countries. METHODS: Peer-reviewed publications and periodic reports about epidemiology of TSCI in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden) are identified, reviewed and included in the meta-analysis. Data are stratified into 20-year intervals to allow for chronological comparisons. Pooled estimates are derived using random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-three data sources are included presenting a total of 5416 cases. The pooled incidence rate for 2001-2020 is 15.4 cases/million/year compared to 17.6 and 18.3 cases/million/year during the two previous 20-year intervals. The proportion of cases with TSCI in the 15-29 age-group decreases from 50% (1961-1980) to 20% (2001-2020), while it increases from 9% to 35% in 60+ age-group. Transportation-related injuries decrease from 44% (1961-1980) to 27% (2001-2020). Conversely, fall-related injuries increase from 32% (1961-1980) to 46% (2001-2020). The proportion of individuals with incomplete tetraplegia increases from 31% (1961-1980) to 43% (2001-2020), while complete paraplegia decreases from 25% to 16%. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of TSCI in the Nordic countries have changed drastically over the last six decades, in line with clinical experiences, and limited research evidence from other countries. These changes indicate the need for adapting research focus, prevention strategies, design and provision of care, rehabilitation and community services towards older individuals, fall-related injuries, and incomplete injuries in Nordic countries and other settings internationally where such changes occur.