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The Epidemiology of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in Alberta, Canada

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 December 2016

Donna M. Dryden ,
L. Duncan Saunders ,
Brian H. Rowe ,
Laura A. May ,
Niko Yiannakoulias ,
Lawrence W. Svenson ,
Donald P. Schopflocher  and
Donald C. Voaklander
Donna M. Dryden
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
L. Duncan Saunders
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Brian H. Rowe
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Laura A. May
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Niko Yiannakoulias
Affiliation:
Health Surveillance Branch, Alberta Health and Wellness, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Lawrence W. Svenson
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada Health Surveillance Branch, Alberta Health and Wellness, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Donald P. Schopflocher
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada Health Surveillance Branch, Alberta Health and Wellness, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Donald C. Voaklander
Affiliation:
British Columbia Rural and Remote Health Research Institute, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC, Canada
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Abstract:

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Objectives:

To describe the incidence and pattern of traumatic spinal cord injury and cauda equina injury (SCI) in a geographically defined region of Canada.

Methods:

The study period was April 1, 1997 to March 31, 2000. Data were gathered from three provincial sources: administrative data from the Alberta Ministry of Health and Wellness, records from the Alberta Trauma Registry, and death certificates from the Office of the Medical Examiner.

Results:

From all three data sources, 450 cases of SCI were identified. Of these, 71 (15.8%) died prior to hospitalization. The annual incidence rate was 52.5/million population (95% CI: 47.7, 57.4). For those who survived to hospital admission, the incidence rate was 44.3/million/year (95% CI: 39.8, 48.7). The incidence rates for males were consistently higher than for females for all age groups. Motor vehicle collisions accounted for 56.4% of injuries, followed by falls (19.1%). The highest incidence of motor vehicle-related SCI occurred to those between 15 and 29 years (60/million/year). Fall-related injuries primarily occurred to those older than 60 years (45/million/year). Rural residents were 2.5 times as likely to be injured as urban residents.

Conclusion:

Prevention strategies for SCI should target males of all ages, adolescents and young adults of both sexes, rural residents, motor vehicle collisions, and fall prevention for those older than 60 years.

Résumé

RÉSUMÉObjectifs:

Décrire l'incidence et le profil des lésions traumatiques de la moelle épinière et des lésions de la queue de cheval (LMÉ) dans une région géographiquement définie du Canada.

Méthodes:

L'étude a été effectuée du premier avril 1997 au 31 mars 2000. Les données ont été tirées de trois sources provinciales: des données administratives du Ministry of Health and Wellness de l'Alberta, des dossiers du registre des traumatismes de l'Alberta et des certificats de décès du Bureau du coronaire.

Résultats:

Quatre cent cinquante cas de LMÉ ont été identifiés. Le taux d'incidence annuel était de 52,5/million de population (IC 95%: 47,7 à 57,4). Pour ceux qui ont survécu au-delà de l'admission à l'hôpital, le taux d'incidence était de 44,3/million/année (IC 95%: 39,8 à 48,7). Les taux d'incidence pour les hommes étaient plus élevés que pour les femmes de tous les groupes d'âge. Les accidents de la route étaient responsables de 56,4% des lésions et les chutes de 19,1%. L'incidence la plus élevée de lésions due à des accidents de la route se retrouve chez les individus entre 15 et 29 ans (60/million/année) et les blessures reliées aux chutes chez ceux de plus de 60 ans (45/million/année). Les résidents de régions rurales étaient 2,5 fois plus susceptibles de subir une telle blessure que les résidents de régions urbaines.

Conclusion:

Les stratégies de prévention des LMÉ devraient cibler les hommes de tous âges, les adolescents et les jeunes adultes des deux sexes, les résidents ruraux, la prévention des collisions automobiles et des chutes pour ceux qui ont plus de 60 ans.

Type
Original Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 30 , Issue 2 , May 2003 , pp. 113 - 121
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2003

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