Epidemiology of spinal injuries in Romania

Retrospective and prospective epidemiological studies in Bucharest indicated a high rate of spinal injuries (about 28.5 per million population per year) in Romania. Most patients were poor, male, manual workers. Half of them were aged less than 40. Falls, particularly from horse-drawn carts, and road traffic accidents were the most frequent causes of injury. In summer, diving accidents were a common cause of spinal injuries. Sixty per cent of the patients had cervical injuries. Pressure sores became less frequent as staff and relatives were trained to turn and position patients. Because gastroduodenal bleeding and deep vein thrombosis were rare, the systematic use of drugs to prevent these conditions was deemed to be unnecessary, given the financial constraints. A shortage of beds and facilities made it difficult to manage associated injuries in a neurosurgical clinic in Bucharest or to admit all patients for rehabilitation. Thirty-nine per cent of all patients admitted with spinal injuries had spinal surgery (61% of those with neurological impairment). Bone grafting was the most common procedure for cervical injuries; surgical stabilisation was not commonly performed due to the shortage of plates and screws. The mortality rate in the early days post injury decreased from 22% (1985-1991) to 10.1% (1992) as medical management improved and the relatives helped with care in the acute phase. A programme is needed in Romania to prevent the accidents that cause spinal injuries and to improve clinical management. As a result of this study, three films were made to aid the prevention of accidents and to train staff and relatives in the care of those with spinal cord injuries.