Abstract
IntroductionSurviving a traumatic cervical Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) has an immense effect on an individual's physical function and independence. It also predisposes them to financial, social, psychological and several medical complications throughout their life. In high-income countries, improved multidisciplinary care has led to better long term outcomes, however in low-income countries, the burden of the condition and its associated mortality remain high. The aim of this study was to illustrate the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of cervical level Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries (TSCIs) at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in northern Tanzania.MethodsThis was a retrospective hospital-based study of 105 cervical TSCI cases admitted to KCMC from January 2012 to December 2016.ResultsWe included 105 patients in the study cohort, with a male preponderance of 86.7%, giving a male-to-female ratio of 6.5:1. The mean age at injury was 44.1 years. Overall, 65.7% were farmers and 69 patients were from within the Kilimanjaro region. Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) accounted for 47.6% of the injuries, 17.9% had associated injuries, 38.1% sustained complete TSCIs and 45.7% developed secondary complications during the ward stay. The mortality rate before discharge from hospital care was 35.2%.ConclusionThe majority of patients were males from a low socioeconomic background and the most common cause of injury was RTCs. The secondary complication rates and mortality rates before discharge from hospital care are high.
Highlights
IntroductionDistinguished by their etiology, Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries (TSCIs) are a result of physical force directed towards the bony vertebral column
Pan African Medical Journal – ISSN: 1937- 8688 Published in partnership with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET). Distinguished by their etiology, Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries (TSCIs) are a result of physical force directed towards the bony vertebral column
A publication from the American National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center stated that for individuals injured at age 25, lifetime costs would amount to 4.6 million United States Dollars (USDs) for high tetraplegia while paraplegic patients would incur a much lower figure of USD 2.3 million [3]
Summary
Distinguished by their etiology, Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries (TSCIs) are a result of physical force directed towards the bony vertebral column. Trauma to the vertebrae and its supporting structures may be severe enough to disrupt its protective function to the spinal cord. The description of functionality following high cervical cord lesions is in stark contrast to the near complete independence which may be recovered by individuals who sustain an injury in the L2-S5 regions [2]. A publication from the American National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center stated that for individuals injured at age 25, lifetime costs would amount to 4.6 million United States Dollars (USDs) for high tetraplegia while paraplegic patients would incur a much lower figure of USD 2.3 million [3]. The thoracic cage and abdomino-pelvic organs lend support to the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine respectively [4]
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