Epidemiology of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in Ireland, 2010–2015

Abstract

Background: The International Spinal Cord Society and World Health Organisation recommend the collection of epidemiological data on traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI). A 1-year prospective study is ongoing in Ireland. While the results of this study are awaited, it was concluded from a feasibility exercise that a complete retrospective dataset, 2010–2015, could be obtained and would be useful for service planning. Methods: All patients with TSCI discharged from the national SCI acute and rehabilitation centres were included. Data was collected on gender, age, aetiology, level of injury, American Spinal Injuries Association impairment scale, length of rehabilitation admission and discharge destination. Population denominators were national census figures 2006 and 2011, rolled forward. Results: The incidence of TSCI remained constant throughout the study period, 11.5–13.3 per million per year. The mean age of injury onset was 48.9 (SD 19.8) years. Males accounted for 71.5%. The most common injury level/AIS was incomplete tetraplegia, accounting for 43.2% of all TSCI. Leading aetiology was falls, accounting for 53.3% of injuries. Patients with incomplete tetraplegia were older than those with all other injuries (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The epidemiological trends identified are similar to those prevalent elsewhere in the developed world. More incomplete tetraplegia among an older patient population necessitates a review of how acute care and rehabilitation services are delivered.

Prospective epidemiological update on traumatic spinal cord injury in Ireland

“…This is because assault is a very uncommon cause of TSCI in Ireland, sometimes not occurring at all during a calendar year, in stark contrast to other jurisdictions [8]. Finally, the 3 cases of iatrogenic injury included under the term "other" and accounting for 4.9% of injuries is constant in Ireland [4] but less common than that reported elsewhere [19].…”

“…This revealed that the incidence of TSCI ranged from 11.5 to 13.3 per million per year over that study period [4]. Falls were the most common cause of injury and incomplete tetraplegia, the most common sub-group of injury [4]. Mean age at injury onset was lowest in 2010, 44.1 (19.3) years and highest in 2014, 52.6 (20.1) years [4].…”

“…Only green zone data from countries which have a national registry exceeds this, in terms of quality. We have recently done a retrospective study of TSCI epidemiology in Ireland, from 2010-2015 to assist with health services planning nationally [4]. This revealed that the incidence of TSCI ranged from 11.5 to 13.3 per million per year over that study period [4].…”

“…We have recently done a retrospective study of TSCI epidemiology in Ireland, from 2010-2015 to assist with health services planning nationally [4]. This revealed that the incidence of TSCI ranged from 11.5 to 13.3 per million per year over that study period [4]. Falls were the most common cause of injury and incomplete tetraplegia, the most common sub-group of injury [4].…”

“…Falls were the most common cause of injury and incomplete tetraplegia, the most common sub-group of injury [4]. Mean age at injury onset was lowest in 2010, 44.1 (19.3) years and highest in 2014, 52.6 (20.1) years [4].…”