Related Experiment Videos
Traumatic spinal cord injuries in southeast Turkey: an epidemiological study
S S Karamehmetoğlu1, K Nas, I Karacan
1Istanbul University, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Dept., Turkey.
Abstract:
In 1994, a retrospective study of new cases of traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) was conducted in all the hospitals in Southeast Turkey: 75 new traumatic SCI were identified. The estimated annual incidence was 16.9 per million population. The male/female ratio was 5.8/1. The mean age was 31.3, being 31.25 for male patients and 31.36 for female patients. 70.7% of all patients were under the age of 40. The major causes of SCI were falls (37.3%) and gunshot wounds (29.3%), followed by car accidents (25.3%), and stab wounds (1.3%). Thirty one patients (41.3%) were tetraplegic and 44 (58.7%) paraplegic. In tetraplegic patients the commonest level was C5, in those with paraplegia L1. The commonest associated injury was head trauma followed by fractures of the extremity(ies). Severe head trauma, being a major cause of death, may have obscured the actual incidence of SCI. Most of gunshot injured SCI patients were young soldiers fighting against the rebels. As there was no available data for the rebels with SCI, the actual incidence of SCI in Southeast (SE) Turkey should be higher than that found in this study.
Insights
In Southeast Turkey, traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCI) affected 16.9 per million people, primarily young males due to falls and gunshot wounds. The study highlights potential underestimation of SCI incidence in the region.
Area of Science:
- Traumatology
- Epidemiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) presents a significant public health challenge.
- Understanding regional incidence and causes is crucial for targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
- Southeast Turkey lacks comprehensive SCI data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and epidemiological characteristics of traumatic SCI in Southeast Turkey.
- To identify the primary causes and injury patterns of SCI in the region.
- To provide baseline data for future SCI research and public health initiatives in Turkey.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study identified new traumatic SCI cases across all hospitals in Southeast Turkey in 1994.
- Data collected included patient demographics, injury mechanisms, and neurological outcomes.
- Incidence rates were calculated per million population.
Main Results:
- An estimated annual incidence of 16.9 per million population was recorded.
- Falls (37.3%) and gunshot wounds (29.3%) were the leading causes.
- The majority of patients (70.7%) were under 40, with a male to female ratio of 5.8:1.
- Tetraplegia (41.3%) and paraplegia (58.7%) were the main functional outcomes.
- Associated head trauma was the most common co-occurring injury.
Conclusions:
- Traumatic SCI disproportionately affects young males in Southeast Turkey.
- Falls and gunshot wounds are major contributors to SCI in this region.
- The study suggests the actual SCI incidence may be higher due to unrecorded cases, particularly among combatants.