Mortality and causes of death after traumatic spinal cord injury in Estonia

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2013 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772313Y.0000000120 · Published: November 1, 2013

Simple Explanation

This study examines the mortality rates and causes of death among individuals with traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCI) in Estonia. The study found that life expectancy is significantly reduced for individuals with TSCI compared to the general population. The main causes of death were external causes, cardiovascular disease and suicide.

Study Duration

1997–2011

Participants

595 patients with traumatic spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Retrospective population-based study with mortality follow-up

Key Findings

1
Life expectancy is significantly decreased in patients with TSCI in Estonia compared with the general population.
2
Deaths during the first year after the injury have an important impact on statistics.
3
Cause-specific SMRs were markedly elevated for sepsis and suicide.

Research Summary

Life expectancy of patients with TSCI was found to be significantly reduced in comparison to the general population. Almost half of the patients died during the first year after TSCI. The main causes of death among the patients with TSCI were cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, genitourinary tract infection and infections related to pressure ulcers, and suicide.

Practical Implications

Targeted Interventions

Treatment of cardiovascular diseases, infections, and prevention of suicide are useful for reducing mortality in patients with TSCI.

Health Policy

Country-specific studies are desirable to inform relevant health policy for improved primary and secondary prevention and care.

Holistic Management

A holistic focus on multi-system management addressing all modifiable risk factors and their potential interactions is needed.

Study Limitations

1
Insufficient information on the patients’ death certificates regarding the causes of death.
2
Some SMRs have been calculated on the basis of few deaths and should therefore be interpreted with caution.
3
Chronic diseases, as potential risk factor for death, were not included in the analysis because the data were recorded inconsistently.

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