Etiology of spinal cord injuries in Sub-Saharan Africa

Draulans, Nathalie; Kiekens, Carlotte; Roels, E; Peers, Koen

doi:10.1038/sc.2011.93

Cited by 45 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 20 publications

(35 reference statements)

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“…3,5,7 The majority of highways are single lane, with high speed limits and no separation between the lanes or street lights. There was no information available regarding alcohol use as a factor contributing to TSCI.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Violence is the primary cause in some parts of neighbouring South Africa, 7 especially due to gunshot wounds. 8,9 In our study, stabbing was the primary form of violence, with only one gunshot injury.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…6 In many Sub-Saharan African countries, RTC is still the leading cause. 3,5,7 There are, however, exceptions with violence in South Africa, 8,9 falls in Senegal 10 and collapsing tunnels in one part of Nigeria being common reasons. 11 Acute mortality has, with increased availability and quality of specialised care and acute transportation, decreased to almost zero in parts of the industrialised world.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1 From Sub-Saharan African countries, the male dominance has been reported to be up to 92%. 3,7 Historically, road traffic crashes (RTC) have been the leading cause of TSCI globally. 6 In some high-income countries, fall injuries have increased with ageing of the population and constitute the primary cause of TSCI.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Traumatic spinal cord injury in Botswana: characteristics, aetiology and mortality

et al. 2014

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Study design: Descriptive study with a cross-sectional design. Objectives: To describe the epidemiology of traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCIs) in Botswana, with a specific focus on road traffic crashes (RTC). Setting: Main public referral hospital, Gaborone, Botswana. Method: Two samples were included. Sample one described the epidemiology and included patients admitted during a 2-year period with acute TSCI. Sample two included only patients with TSCI due to RTC. Results: Annual incidence was 13 per million population. Epidemiology of TSCI: 49 patients were included, 71% male, age ranging from 4 to 81 years, 80% ⩽ 45 years. Tetraplegia was more common than paraplegia (59/41%), and 39% had C1-C4 level of injury. The main cause of TSCI was RTC (68%), followed by assault (16%) and falls (10%). Mortality was 20%, where all, but one, had tetraplegia (18%). Median time from injury to spinal surgery was 12 days, with longer time for women, 16 days compared with 8 for men. Burst tire was the primary cause of RTC resulting in a TSCI, followed by hitting animals on the road. The majority had been passengers and 72% were involved in single crashes. Conclusion:The most common cause for TSCI was RTC, followed by assault. In-hospital mortality was high and the waiting period from the time of accident to spinal surgery was long, especially for women. The aetiology and high mortality of TSCI in Botswana indicate that improvements in roadway safety and medical care may decrease the TSCI incidence and mortality.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Traumatic spinal cord injury in Botswana: characteristics, aetiology and mortality

et al. 2014

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“…15,17,18 Interpersonal violence cause an unprecedented burden of morbidity and mortality, 19 not only for SCI, but also for other health events. A national study in South Africa reported that violence-induced injuries are the second leading cause of death in the country.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Incidence and aetiology of traumatic spinal cord injury in Cape Town, South Africa: a prospective, population-based study

et al. 2015

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Study design: Prospective, regional population-based study. Objectives: To provide the incidence, aetiology and injury characteristics of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in the City of Cape Town, South Africa. Setting: All government-funded hospitals within the City of Cape Town, South Africa. Methods: All survivors of acute TSCI, given that they met the inclusion criteria, were prospectively included for a 1-year period. The International Spinal Cord injury Core Data Set was used and systematically completed by specialist doctors. Further, international standards for neurological classification were adhered to. Results: In total, 147 cases of acute TSCI were identified and 145 were included in the study. The male to female ratio was 5.9:1 and the mean age was 33.5 years, ranging from 18 to 93. The crude incidence rate was 75.6 per million (95% CI: 64.3-88.8) with assault as the main cause of injury, accounting for 59.3% of the cases, followed by motor vehicle accidents (26.3%) and falls (11.7%). Most injuries occurred in the cervical spine (53.1%), and American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A severity was most common (39.3%) in the cohort. Conclusion: The incidence rate of TSCI in a region of South Africa was high when compared to previously postulated figures for the country. There is a need for primary preventative strategies to target younger men that are exposed to violent activities. A national study is required to learn whether these findings are only locally applicable or generalisable.

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Incidence of cervical spine fractures on CT: a study in a large level I trauma center

et al. 2019

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Etiology of spinal cord injuries in Sub-Saharan Africa

Cited by 45 publications

References 20 publications

Traumatic spinal cord injury in Botswana: characteristics, aetiology and mortality

Traumatic spinal cord injury in Botswana: characteristics, aetiology and mortality

Incidence and aetiology of traumatic spinal cord injury in Cape Town, South Africa: a prospective, population-based study

Incidence of cervical spine fractures on CT: a study in a large level I trauma center

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