Estimating the global incidence of traumatic spinal cord injury

Fitzharris, Michael; Cripps, Raymond; Lee, Bonsan Bonne

doi:10.1038/sc.2013.135

Cited by 85 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 27 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The estimated annual incidence reported in this study (more than 26 persons per million population) is relatively high as compared to the reported globally and in low income countries (23 and 25.5 persons per million population) respectively [5,12,18]. However there are other country and regional–specific studies that have reported higher annual incidences such as in Cape Town – South Africa and the United States which reports 75 and 54 persons per million population respectively [8,19].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Traumatic spinal cord injury in the north-east Tanzania – describing incidence, etiology and clinical outcomes retrospectively

Moshi

Sundelin

Sahlén

et al. 2017

Global Health Action

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Causes, magnitude and consequences of traumatic spinal cord injury depend largely on geography, infrastructure, socioeconomic and cultural activities of a given region. There is a scarcity of literature on profile of traumatic spinal cord injury to inform prevention and rehabilitation of this health condition in African rural settings, particularly Tanzania. Objective: To describe the incidence, etiology and clinical outcomes of traumatic spinal cord injury and issues related to retrospective study in underdeveloped setting. Methods: Records for patients with traumatic spinal cord injury for five consecutive years (2010–2014) were obtained retrospectively from the admission wards and health records archives of the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center. Sociodemographic, cause, complications and patients’ condition on discharge were recorded and analyzed descriptively. Results: The admission books in the wards registered 288 new traumatic spinal cord injury cases from January 2010 to December 2014. Of the 288 cases registered in the books, 224 were males and 64 females with mean age 39.1(39.1 ± 16.3) years and the majority of individuals 196(68.1%) were aged between 16 and 45 years. A search of the hospital archives provided 213 full patient records in which the leading cause of injury was falls 104(48.8%) followed by road traffic accidents 73(34.3%). Cervical 81(39.9%) and lumbar 71(34.74%) spinal levels were the most affected. The annual incidence for the Kilimanjaro region (population 1,640,087) was estimated at more than 26 persons per million population. The most documented complications were pressure ulcers 42(19.7%), respiratory complications 32(15.0%) and multiple complications 28(13.1%). The mean length of hospital stay was 64.2 ± 54.3 days and the mortality rate was 24.4%. Conclusion: Prevention of traumatic spinal cord injury in North-east Tanzania should consider falls (particularly from height) as the leading cause, targeting male teenagers and young adults. Pressure ulcers, respiratory complications, in-hospital mortality and availability of wheelchairs should be addressed.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Traumatic spinal cord injury in the north-east Tanzania – describing incidence, etiology and clinical outcomes retrospectively

Moshi

Sundelin

Sahlén

et al. 2017

Global Health Action

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The absence of national reporting, illustrated by the 'Red Zone' areas in the global maps, makes it difficult to determine valid population denominators. Using the methods outlined by Fitzharris et al, 55 it could be possible to extrapolate data to appropriate regions and to adjust for variables, such as socio-economic development, which influence NTSCI. NTSCI data are currently inadequate for this approach.…”

Section: Box 1 Zones Of Information*mentioning

confidence: 99%

Global maps of non-traumatic spinal cord injury epidemiology: towards a living data repository

2013

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Study design: Literature review. Objectives: Globally map non-traumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI) incidence, prevalence, survival, level of injury and aetiology. Propose a research framework for NTSCI prevention and launch a repository of NTSCI data. Setting: Initiative of the International Spinal Cord Society Prevention Committee. Methods: Literature search of Medline and Embase (1959-June 2011). Relevant articles in any language regarding adults with NTSCI were included. Stratification of information about incidence and prevalence into green/yellow/orange/red data quality 'zones' and comparisons between World Health Organisation (WHO) regions and countries. Results: Three hundred and seventy-seven abstracts reviewed-45 of these from 24 countries in 12 of the 21 WHO global regions had relevant information. Only one publication had survival data. Prevalence data for NTSCI existed for only two countries, India (prevalence of 2 310/million population, Kashmir region) and Canada (prevalence of 1 120/million population). The incidence rates for WHO regions were: Asia Pacific, high income 20/million population/year; Australasia (26/million population/year); Western Europe median of 6/million population/year; North America, high income median 76/million population/year (based on poor-quality studies); and Oceania 9/million population/year. Developed countries tended to have a higher proportion of cases with degenerative conditions and tumours. Developing countries, in comparison, tended to have a higher proportion of infections, particularly tuberculosis and HIV, although a number also reported tumours as a major cause. Conclusions: Insufficient survival, prevalence and incidence data are a predominant finding of this review. The piecemeal approach to epidemiological reporting of NTSCI, particularly failing to include sound regional population denominators, has exhausted its utility. Minimum data collection standards are required.

show abstract

“…Fitzharris et al 1 have unquestionably done a wonderful job in the estimation of SCI worldwide; however, there are some points we would like to mention here. Fitzharris et al 1 have used the raw population data as a model in the estimation of SCI patients in each country. They have used data from 17 countries to run a statistical model of SCI incidence worldwide.…”

mentioning

confidence: 76%

“…We read the paper by Fitzharris et al 1 with great interest and care. Fitzharris et al 1 have unquestionably done a wonderful job in the estimation of SCI worldwide; however, there are some points we would like to mention here.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%