Prevalence of spinal cord injury in Helsinki.
METHODS
Retrospective register-based epidemiological study.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence rate of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) with special reference to ASIA Impairment Grade A-D.


METHODS
Helsinki, Finland.


METHODS
Cases were identified using the registers of the Kapyla Rehabilitation Centre, Helsinki University Central Hospital and the local organization for the disabled. Local health centres were informed about the study, residential service houses were contacted, and announcements were published in patient magazines.


RESULTS
A regional population was found to have a prevalence rate of 28/100,000 inhabitants with SCI (ASIA Impairment Scale A-D).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence rate in this study is consistent with the data published in other Nordic countries.


BACKGROUND
The Finnish Cultural Foundation.
Dahlberg
A
A
Käpylä Rehabilitation Centre, Finnish Association of People with Mobility Disabilities, Helsinki, Finland.
Kotila
M
M
Leppänen
P
P
Kautiainen
H
H
Alaranta
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology