Epidemiology of demographic, clinical characteristics and hospital course of patients with spinal cord injury associated with vertebral fracture in a large private health care system in the United States

This study looks at patients with spinal cord injuries caused by fractures in their spine. It aims to understand who these patients are, their medical conditions, what happens during their hospital stay, and what factors affect their outcomes. The researchers used data from a large healthcare system in the United States to study these patients. They looked at things like age, gender, type of injury, complications during hospitalization, and whether patients were discharged home or to another facility. The findings can help doctors better manage and improve the care of patients with spinal cord injuries and vertebral fractures, especially by recognizing common complications and factors that increase the risk of death during hospitalization.

• 1
  The average age of patients with SCI-VF was about 55 years, and most were male. Cervical spine fractures were the most common, and most injuries were incomplete.
• 2
  Factors associated with higher in-hospital mortality included respiratory failure upon admission, ICU stay, increased medical comorbidity index, insulin use and cardiovascular, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal hospital-acquired complications.
• 3
  Patients with Medicare insurance, complete spinal cord injuries, and central cord syndrome were less likely to be discharged home and more likely to be discharged to a post-acute care facility.