Epidemiological study of Spinal Cord Injury individuals from halfway houses in Shanghai, China

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2018 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2017.1367357 · Published: July 4, 2018

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Public Health

Simple Explanation

This study examines the characteristics of individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) in Shanghai, focusing on their treatment and rehabilitation. The study analyzes data from SCI individuals participating in “halfway houses”, which are government-supported community centers. The goal is to understand the socio-demographic and disease characteristics of SCI individuals in Shanghai to develop better prevention and intervention strategies.

Study Duration

2009–2015

Participants

808 SCI individuals

Evidence Level

Community-based secondary data analyses

Key Findings

1
The study found that the proportion of middle or elder age groups at injury showed a rising trend from 1970 to 2015.
2
Traumatic injuries were the leading cause of SCIs, but the proportion of non-traumatic injuries rose significantly over time.
3
Men had a higher prevalence of traumatic SCI, suggesting preventive measures should focus on male and middle-aged adults.

Research Summary

This community-based study in Shanghai analyzed 808 SCI individuals participating in halfway houses from 2009–2015. The study revealed an increasing trend in the age at injury and a shift from traumatic to non-traumatic causes of SCI over the past four decades. The findings emphasize the need for targeted prevention and rehabilitation strategies, especially for middle-aged men and the aging population in Shanghai.

Practical Implications

Targeted Prevention Strategies

Implement prevention measures specifically targeting middle-aged men to reduce traumatic injuries.

Aging Society Considerations

Develop more effective medical care and rehabilitation schemes tailored for aging SCI individuals.

Community-Based Interventions

Enhance and expand community-based rehabilitation programs like halfway houses to improve the welfare of SCI patients.

Study Limitations

1
Potential selection bias due to the non-random enrollment in halfway houses.
2
Limited size of the study population compared to the total SCI population in Shanghai.
3
Lack of detailed information regarding the level of injury, cause of injury, and complications in the original database.

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