Caspian Journal of Health Research (Jan 2019)

Epidemiology of Traumatic Spinal Fractures and Spinal Cord Injuries in Guilan, North of Iran

  • Sara Ramezani,
  • Zahra Mohtasham-Amiri,
  • Leila Kouchakinejad-Eramsadati,
  • Hadiseh shokatjalil,
  • Shahrokh Yousefzadeh-Chabok

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 1
pp. 12 – 15

Abstract

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Background: Epidemiological knowledge of traumatic spinal fractures and spinal cord injuries (SCIs) is essential for preventive planning and health policy-making. The present study was conducted to investigate the epidemiological features of traumatic spinal fractures and SCIs in Guilan province, Iran. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was performed on all 15-80 years old patients with trauma admitted to Poursina Hospital from January 2015 to December 2017. The individual characteristics, time, place and mechanism of trauma and diagnostic characteristics of spinal trauma were gathered using trauma registry system. The incidence and epidemiological distribution of spinal fractures among traumatic patients were then estimated. Results: The incidence of traumatic spinal fractures was found to be 0.6% in 2015, 0.3% in 2016 and 0.2% in 2017. The men to women ratio was 2.33:1. Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) and falls were respectively the most common mechanisms of trauma and their incidence were higher in rural communities than in urban communities. There was significant relationships between mechanism of trauma and the site of vertebral fracture (P-value = 0.02). Lumbar vertebrae mostly caused by falls while cervical vertebrae caused by MVA. The incidence of SCI in all the patients with spinal fractures was 18.23% in 2015-17. SCIs were found to be more prevalent in 15-45 year olds compared to other age groups. Quadriplegia (54.83%) and paraplegia (38.7%) were the most prevalent SCI-induced types of paralysis. The incidence of SCI was significantly associated with the site of spinal fractures, although it was not associated with mechanism of trauma. Conclusion: This study revealed that the incidence of spinal fractures were decreased in recent years and MVA is the major cause of spinal fractures. Preventive programs are recommended to focus on traffic engineering and the training of drivers and pedestrians, especially in high-risk populations.

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