Epidemiological Profile of Patients with Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury:A 5-year Tertiary Multicenter Retrospective Study

Abstract

Introduction

The incidence of serious cervical spine injuries is low but associated rates of death and disability are high and is a devastating event for the patient and family. Mortality associated with cervical spine fractures is less studied. This deficiency in the literature contributes to a lack of consensus on the optimal treatment of cervical fractures.

Materials and Methods

All patients admitted at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, Negros Occidental, Philippines; Riverside Medical Center, Negros Occidental and Silliman Medical Center Negros Oriental, Philippines from January 2008 to December 2012 with cervical SCI secondary to trauma were included in the study. Charts of patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were collected.

Results

The study group were mostly males (n=51, 92.7%), with mean age of 43.67 years, with fall as the common cause of injury (n=27, 49.1%), followed by vehicular accident, and axial loading. Majority had incomplete quadriplegia (n=32, 58.2%), compared to complete quadriplegia (n=23, 41.8%). Of the eleven mortalities (20%), 10 had complete quadriplegia- Frankel A (90.9%).

Statistical analysis showed no significance between sexes (p= 0.8), as well as the cause of injury (p= 0.659) for mortality of the patient. Analysis however, showed a significant relationship of having complete quadriplegia, to eventual mortality (p= 0.001).

Last normal motor and sensory level, radiographic abnormality, presence of spinal shock on admission, and patient’s age, showed no statistical significance to the mortality of the patient.

Conclusion

This study showed that males of older adult group with complete quadriplegia due to cervical SCI are statistically predictive of eventual mortality.

Keywords: Cervical Spinal Injury, Mortality rate, Quadriplegia