Update on the long-term survival of persons who are ventilator dependent after spinal cord injury

This study updates previous research on the survival rates of individuals with spinal cord injuries who rely on ventilators. The research team analyzed a larger dataset spanning from 1973 to 2019 to provide more current survival estimates. The study focused on adults aged 18 or older who had survived at least one year after their injury and were permanently ventilator dependent. The researchers used statistical models to determine mortality rates and life expectancies based on factors like age and injury severity. The findings indicate that survival rates for this population have not significantly improved since 1980. The life expectancy data provides updated estimates based on current mortality information.

• 1
  Survival has not improved since 1980 in the C1-C5A group (individuals with injuries to the first through fifth cervical vertebrae and classified as complete injuries).
• 2
  The final survival model contained terms for age (HR = 1.047 per year of age older than 40, P < 0.001), level/grade (C1-C5A versus others: HR = 1.46, P = 0.002), and time since injury (1.0–3.0 years post injury versus later years: HR = 1.95; P < 0.001).
• 3
  Updated life expectancies for persons with incomplete or C6 or lower level injuries were modestly lower than those of the prior study, reflecting that mortality increased in this group in the interim.