Prevalence of Spinal Cord Injury in Iran: A 3-Source Capture-Recapture Study

Epidemiologic data of spinal cord injured (SCI) patients are necessary for prevention policymaking and improvement of social and healthcare support to patients. This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of traumatic and non-traumatic SCI in Iran in a three-source capture-recapture study.

Three organizations, which provide supports to SCI patients were identified. Demographic data of patients in each organization was obtained. Datasets were formed and matching data were found. Matched data were incorporated into STATA 12 for log linear analyses. Results of sensitivity analyses were used to estimate total number of SCI patients in Iran. Veterans of Iraq-Iran conflict were added as separate data source to final results.

The prevalence of traumatic and non-traumatic SCI patients is 296.87 (95% confidence intervals (CI): 292.04-302.48) per million in Tehran and Alborz provinces. The prevalence of SCI in Iran is an estimated 318.45 (95% CI: 312.98-324.54) per million.

The prevalence of SCI in Iran is among the lowest figures reported in the literature. The supporting organizations in Iran do not have details about the cause, level and severity of SCI patients. A national study to register SCI patients' data is needed.