Traumatic versus non traumatic spinal cord injury: Characteristics and functional outcome in a Tunisian rehabilitation centre

Abstract

Background: Understanding of the underlying mechanisms of Spinal cord injury (SCI) would help in the development of treatment strategies and enhance neurological recovery. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe clinical and demographic data of SCI in a physical medicine department and to compare neurological and functional outcome in Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury group (TSCI) and Non Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury group (NTSCI) during two years of follow up. Materials and methods: This study was conducted in a physical medicine and rehabilitation department of a tertiary hospital (January 2008-December 2014). Medical records of 177 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) were reviewed. Two groups were defined: traumatic (TSCI) and non-traumatic (NTSCI) spinal cord injury. Characteristics and functional outcome were analyzed and compared. Results: Patients of NT group were significantly older. Most of injuries in both groups had a cervical level. ASIA scale scores and MIF scales were significantly higher in NT group at admission and after two years of follow up. The impairment was more remarkable in this group. Conclusions: Our study suggests that non traumatic SCI represent a considerable proportion of SCI rehabilitation admissions. Although different characteristics and injury patterns, functional outcomes maybe comparable to traumatic SCI. Key words: spinal cord injury, epidemiology, etiology, rehabilitation