Traumatic spinal cord injury in Hawaii

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Traumatology
• Public Health Surveillance

Background:

• Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) surveillance is crucial for targeted prevention and healthcare planning.
• Understanding local SCI demographics and etiology is essential for effective interventions.
• Previous studies highlight the need for comprehensive data on SCI incidence and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the frequency and causes of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) at the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific (REHAB).
• To compare SCI demographics and etiological factors in Hawaii with national statistics.
• To provide recommendations for future SCI surveillance and prevention strategies in Hawaii.

Main Methods:

• A 2-year retrospective study (1987-1989) of SCI patients treated at REHAB.
• Data abstraction from patient records.
• Comparison of REHAB data with national SCI databases.

Main Results:

• 59 individuals were treated for SCI; 85% were male, 70% were young adults.
• Motor Vehicle Accidents (38%) were the leading cause, followed by falls (28%).
• Cervical lesions (62%) were most common, with nearly 50% being neurologically complete; 66% used wheelchairs.

Conclusions:

• SCI cases at REHAB mirrored national trends in demographics and injury causes.
• Actual SCI incidence in Hawaii may be underestimated due to non-mandatory reporting.
• Implementing mandatory reporting can enhance identification of high-risk groups and inform prevention programs.