Demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury in Argentina from 2015 to 2019: a multicenter study

Spinal Cord Series and Cases, 2020 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-020-00362-6 · Published: November 8, 2020

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Public Health

Simple Explanation

This study examines the characteristics of traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCI) in a specific region of Argentina, focusing on demographics like age and gender, clinical details such as the level and completeness of the injury, and the causes of these injuries. The research was conducted across five rehabilitation centers in Buenos Aires, collecting data from patients admitted between 2015 and 2019. The aim was to understand the patterns and causes of TSCI in this metropolitan area. The findings highlight that TSCI in Argentina predominantly affects young males, with vehicular accidents being the leading cause. This contrasts with developed countries where falls are more frequently the cause of such injuries.

Study Duration

2015 to 2019

Participants

186 individuals with acute TSCI

Evidence Level

Descriptive and ambispective study

Key Findings

1
The study registered 186 individuals with TSCI, with males comprising 77% of the sample and a mean age of 36 years.
2
Vehicular collisions were identified as the leading cause of TSCI (47.3%), followed by falls (21.5%) and assaults (16.1%).
3
A significant proportion of individuals (57.3%) were classified as having complete injuries (AIS A), with motor complete SCI reaching 71.9% of the sample.

Research Summary

This multicenter study provides the first epidemiological data on TSCI in Argentina, adhering to international guidelines for data collection and reporting. The results indicate that TSCI in Argentina disproportionately affects young males and is primarily caused by vehicular accidents, differing from patterns observed in developed countries. The study highlights the need for targeted road safety interventions and improved rehabilitation programs to address the high incidence of complete SCIs and long hospital stays.

Practical Implications

Road Safety Strategies

The high incidence of TSCI due to vehicular collisions underscores the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures and enforcement of traffic regulations.

Rehabilitation Program Improvement

The extended hospital stays suggest that rehabilitation programs should be optimized to facilitate earlier discharge and integration back into the community.

National Registry System

The study advocates for the implementation of a national registry system for SCI to improve data collection and support future epidemiological studies and prevention efforts.

Study Limitations

1
Some participants in the population-based study may not have permanent addresses in Buenos Aires.
2
The absence of designated hospitals for SCI impacts data collection.
3
Patients with minor motor and sensory dysfunctions (AIS D) are underrepresented.

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