Epidemiology of Spinal Cord Injury: Changes to Its Cause Amid Aging Population, a Single Center Study

Ann Rehabil Med, 2021 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.20148 · Published: February 9, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Public Health

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to lasting physical and psychological problems, causing significant costs for healthcare, rehabilitation, and lost work productivity. Studies that track the causes and patterns of SCI are important for creating effective prevention programs. In Korea, the exact number of SCI cases is hard to determine because they are grouped with other disabilities. Recent studies suggest that the causes of SCI are changing, with falls becoming more common than traffic accidents. This study investigates how demographic changes, especially the aging population and the high prevalence of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in Korea, affect the causes and characteristics of SCI.

Study Duration

2012 to 2018

Participants

221 cases of SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Falls were the most common cause of traumatic SCI, accounting for 56.5% of cases when combining 'falling off' and 'tripping over' incidents.
2
Tripping over was the leading cause of traumatic SCI in patients aged 60 years or older, accounting for 42.6% of injuries in this age group.
3
A high proportion of traumatic SCI patients, particularly those injured by tripping over, had underlying OPLL (64.5%).

Research Summary

This study examined the characteristics of SCI patients admitted to a rehabilitation unit in a Korean university hospital, finding a higher proportion of male patients and that falls were the most common cause of traumatic SCI. The study also revealed that tripping over was the leading cause of injury in elderly patients, and a significant number of patients injured from tripping over had underlying OPLL. The findings suggest that the epidemiology of SCI in Korea is shifting towards a pattern seen in other developed countries with aging populations, with low-energy falls playing a significant role.

Practical Implications

Targeted Prevention Programs

Develop fall prevention programs specifically designed for the elderly, focusing on reducing tripping hazards.

OPLL Screening

Consider screening for OPLL in elderly individuals, especially those at high risk of falls, to identify and manage potential spinal cord compression.

Rehabilitation Strategies

Tailor rehabilitation strategies to address the specific needs of elderly patients with SCI caused by low-energy falls, taking into account the potential presence of OPLL.

Study Limitations

1
The data source was limited to one university hospital, which may not represent the overall population of SCI patients in Korea.
2
The study could only acquire information from patients admitted or transferred to the rehabilitation medicine department, potentially underestimating fatal or less severe SCI cases.
3
The timing of evaluation of severity and type of SCI varied, which could have influenced the severity of injury itself.

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