Epidemiological and clinical features, treatment status, and economic burden of traumatic spinal cord injury in China: a hospital-based retrospective study

Neural Regeneration Research, 2024 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/1673-5374.382257 · Published: August 14, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Healthcare Public Health

Simple Explanation

This study examines the characteristics, treatment, and costs associated with traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCI) in China. The research included data from over 13,000 patients across multiple hospitals to provide a national-level overview. The findings highlight the need for improvements in early surgical intervention and caution regarding the use of certain treatments.

Study Duration

6 Years

Participants

13,465 traumatic spinal cord injury patients

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The percentage of TSCIs among all hospitalized patients did not significantly change overall from 2013-2018.
2
Only 2.8% of patients underwent surgery within 24 hours of injury.
3
High-dose methylprednisolone was administered in 14.9% of patients.

Research Summary

This retrospective study examined the epidemiological and clinical features, treatment status, and economic burden of traumatic spinal cord injury in China at the national level. The percentage of traumatic spinal cord injuries among all hospitalized patients and among patients hospitalized in the orthopedic department did not significantly change overall. Our findings indicate that public health initiatives should aim at improving hospitals’ ability to complete early surgery within 24 hours...increasing the awareness rate of clinical guidelines related to high-dose MPSS/MP to reduce the use of the treatment with insufficient evidence.

Practical Implications

Improve Early Surgery Access

Hospitals need to improve their ability to perform early surgery (within 24 hours) for TSCI patients, as it is associated with better outcomes.

Re-evaluate Methylprednisolone Use

There is a need to increase awareness of clinical guidelines regarding high-dose methylprednisolone, given the insufficient evidence supporting its use.

Reduce Financial Burden

The high cost of TSCI treatment poses a significant burden on patients and families, necessitating efforts to reduce these costs.

Study Limitations

1
Study was not population-based, limiting calculation of incidence and prevalence rates.
2
Some data were missing, though the proportion was generally less than 5.0%.
3
The study's time frame (2013-2018) may limit representativeness due to data availability issues and the COVID-19 pandemic.

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