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Spinal Cord Injury Fact Sheet in Korea

Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.23020 · Published: February 28, 2023

Spinal Cord InjuryRehabilitationPublic Health

Simple Explanation

This review analyzes data from national insurance databases in South Korea to understand the trends in spinal cord injuries (SCI). It looks at the causes, frequency, and rehabilitation treatments related to SCI. The study found that traumatic spinal cord injuries are becoming more common among older adults. Also, men are more likely to experience these injuries than women. While more patients are receiving rehabilitation, the increase in training for daily living activities is relatively small. The review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of SCI in Korea.

Study Duration
Not specified
Participants
Nationwide insurance databases in Korea (NHIS, AUI, IACI)
Evidence Level
Review Article

Key Findings

  • 1
    Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) was more frequent among the elderly in the NHIS compared to working age individuals in the AUI and IACI.
  • 2
    In all three trauma-related insurance databases, male with TSCI outnumbered female. TSCI incidence per year was approximately 17 times higher among males than females, on average, in IACI.
  • 3
    Although the ratio of SCI patients receiving rehabilitation treatment at primary and secondary hospitals increased for nine years, the increase in training on activities of daily living (ADL training) was found to be relatively small.

Research Summary

This review provides comprehensive statistics and recent epidemiological changes in SCI and rehabilitation in Korea, utilizing three insurance databases. The study identifies trends in incidence, etiology, and rehabilitation of SCI, noting a higher prevalence of traumatic SCI among the elderly and a male predominance. The review highlights a need for improved rehabilitation strategies, particularly in activities of daily living, despite an increase in rehabilitation treatment overall.

Practical Implications

Targeted Prevention Strategies

Develop prevention programs tailored to specific age and gender groups to reduce the incidence of traumatic SCI.

Enhanced Rehabilitation Programs

Improve rehabilitation programs, focusing on increasing training for activities of daily living to facilitate patients' return to their homes and social environments.

Policy and Resource Allocation

Inform healthcare policy and resource allocation to address the changing epidemiological trends of SCI, especially concerning the aging population.

Study Limitations

  • 1
    The review focuses primarily on traumatic SCI, potentially overlooking the significance of non-traumatic SCI in South Korea.
  • 2
    Data is limited to insurance databases, which may not capture all cases of SCI.
  • 3
    The study does not provide detailed information on the specific types and amounts of rehabilitation treatment provided to SCI patients.

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