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Survival after spinal cord trauma. A life table analysis
Archives of Neurology
|February 1, 1978
Summary
This study on spinal cord injury (SCI) patients in Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals found that survival rates are influenced by age at injury, lesion level, and paralysis extent. High mortality occurs within the first three months post-injury.
Area of Science:
- Traumatology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Veterans Administration (VA) hospital records offer a unique dataset for studying spinal cord injury (SCI) patient survival.
- Analyzing long-term outcomes is crucial for understanding the impact of SCI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the survival experience of SCI patients treated between 1955 and 1965.
- To identify key factors influencing survival rates after spinal cord trauma.
Main Methods:
- Life table methodology was employed to calculate survival rates at various intervals post-injury.
- Patient data included age at injury, level of lesion, and extent of paralysis.
Main Results:
- A high mortality rate was observed in the initial three months following spinal cord injury, irrespective of age or lesion level.
- For patients surviving the critical first three months, ten-year survival rates for paraplegia (86%) and quadriplegia (80%) were notably similar.
Conclusions:
- Age, lesion level, and paralysis extent significantly impact survival after spinal cord injury.
- Early mortality is a critical concern in SCI, but long-term survival prospects improve considerably after the initial three months.