A retrospective study - epidemiological analysis of traumatic spinal injuries in Rajasthan, India

Introduction

As compare to other traumatic injuries traumatic spinal injuries (TSI) cause greatest amount of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Like other developing countries, in the India also very little known about epidemiology of TSI. Traumatic spinal injury (TSI, injury to spinal column, spinal cord, or both) commonly leads to significant impairment in the quality of personal and family life.^[1]

The overall global incidence of TSI was 10.5 cases per 100000 people resulting in an estimated 768473 new cases of TSI increase annually worldwide. Incidence of TSI is higher in lower and middle income countries (13.69 per 100000 people) as compared to higher income countries (8.72 per 100000 people).^[2]

In Most of cases mode of injuries by fall from height (unprotected roofs, trees, construction site, electric pole fall into uncovered wells) and RTA, which in fact are preventable or reducible causes by taking proper safety measure and strictness in following rules and regulations. A careful epidemiological study can provide information regarding magnitude of the problem of spinal trauma and resultant demand of medical and social resources. It can help to identify the risk factors involved and actual mode of spinal injuries. It also helps to formulate preventive measures / planning’s which may modify or eliminate the risk factors and may decrease the incidence of this incapacitating injury.

Aims & Objectives

To determine epidemiological, demographical and seasonal variation of TSI.

Part/level of spinal column injured.

To study the etiological factors in traumatic spinal injuries.

Material and Methods

This Retrospective study was conducted in SRG Hospital Jhalawar from January 2018 to December. 20019 (Period of Two Years). All the patients of traumatic spinal injuries admitted in our medical college hospital were included in this study. Patients who died before reaching hospital were not considered for study. Detailed history with respect to age, sex, occupation, education, socio-economic status and mode of trauma was taken, followed by a clinico radiological examination to ascertain the exact spinal and associated injuries.

The patient’s data was entered in MS Excel sheet and analysis through SPSS 20.0 (Trail version) Software done. All applicable statistical tests were used for data analysis.

Results

Total one hundred and fifty eight patients (158) with traumatic spine injury included in study.

Out of these there is one hundred and eight patients (68.35%) were male and fifty (31.6%) were female. Male to female ratio was 2.16:1. The most prevalent age group in our study was 30-39 years in 44 cases (27.8%) followed by 20-29 years in 30 cases (19%).

In our study most common mode of injury was fall from height like unprotected roof, uncovered well, construction work, tree, electric pole in 71cases (44.9%), followed by road traffic accident in 68 cases (43%). other cause of injuries were assaults in 11 cases (7%) and sports in 8 cases (5%).

In our study lumber spinal column was fractured in 87 cases (55%) followed by thoracic spine in 36 cases (22.78%). Cervical spine injuries noted in 33 cases (20.8%). Sacral spine injuries noted only in 2 cases (1.26%) but it associated with abdominal and pelvic injuries.

Out of 158 cases of Traumatic Spinal Injuries 47 cases (29.7%) found to be had other associated injuries. Most common of them was head injuries in 15 cases (9.5%) and extremities injuries 15 cases (9.5%) followed by chest injuries 9 cases (5.6%), abdominal injuries 4 cases (2.5%) and pelvic injuries 4 cases (2.5%).

We also notated seasonal variation in traumatic spinal injuries cases. There is high incident of spinal trauma in summer. Maximum 25 cases (15.8%) occurred in june month followed by 23 cases (14.5%) may month.

Discussion

Traumatic spinal cord injuries produce profound emotional and psychological impact on personal and family’s life.

Epidemiological and demographic distribution data of TSI in our country is essential for strengthening the health care facility, taking preventive measure along with conservative treatment and rehabilitation of patients. So many studies from developed countries available in the matter of traumatic spinal injuries but their epidemiological data are different to Indian scenario. This is because of difference in literacy, occupation, available health care facilities and demographic distribution of population in developed countries.

The age distribution of patients of our studies is comparable with studies from the other parts of the India and World.^[3], ^[4], ^[5] The most prevalent age group in our study was 30-39 years (27.8%) followed by 20-29 years (19%) that is similar to other studies.^[3], ^[4], ^[5]

In previous study younger age group male are more prone to spinal injury due to more outdoor, occupational activity and driving activities.^[1], ^[6], ^[7]

In older age group female is more risk than male for traumatic spinal injuries due to osteoporotic bony changes.

In our study Sex distribution has shown a male predominance with Male to female ratio was 2.16:1 that is comparable to other recent studies. ^[7], ^[8], ^[9], ^[3], ^[4]

There is gradually changing trend in society where females are more actively participating in earning activity like working at constructional site, driving the vehicle and other outdoor activities.

In rural areas agriculture being the main profession where females are

Also equally participate in work, so male-female ratio gradually decreases As compared to studies conducted 15 to 20 year’s back.^[5], ^[10], ^[11], ^[12], ^[13]

In our study most common mode of injury was fall from height like unprotected roof, construction work, tree, electric pole (44.9%), followed by road traffic accident (43%). In study of R. Singh et al also most common cause of injury was fall from height including roof, trees, electricity pole (44.5%) followed by

Motor vehicle accidents (34.7%) that is almost similar to our study.^[14]

Mode of TSI depends on local factor like occupation, literacy, strictness of traffic rules and regulation.^[4], ^[5], ^[10]

Like other developing countries there is tremendously increase in number of vehicle which is not proportion to quality of road in India further raises the incident in of road-traffic accident in younger group of people.

In our study lumber spinal column was fractured (55%) followed by thoracic spine (22.78%) and cervical spine injuries noted in (20.8%) that results are similar to other studies like ville niemi et al.^[15]

The dorsal spine is fixed and less mobile because of rib cage as compared to lumbar spine which is very mobile portion of spine.^[14] The sudden transition from fixed to mobile portion makes dorso-lumbar area as a precarious site for TSI.^[14]

In our study highest incidence of traumatic spinal injuries noted in summer (may-june) that is similar to studies of G J S Birua et al.^[16]

It can be explained by more agriculture and social activities in summer season and people try to confined in their home in rainy and winter season.^[14], ^[16]

Conclusions

TSI is major source of morbidity and mortality in Rajasthan India like throughout the world. Younger age group and Male are more commonly affected as compare to older age group and female. Accidental fall and RTA are major cause if TSI.

Prevention remains the most effective way to reduce the burden of the traumatic spinal cord injuries. Government should work to strength the neurosurgical capacities for traumatic spinal cord management and rehabilitation.

Abbreviation

RTA (Road Traffic Accident), TSI (Traumatic Spinal Injuries)

Source of Funding

No financial support was received for the work within this manuscript.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.