Review of spinal cord injuries in Ireland.
METHODS
Prospective data collection on all patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) admitted for a comprehensive management programme.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the epidemiology of SCI in Ireland over 1 year.


METHODS
Ireland's National Spinal Cord Injury Centre.


METHODS
Systematic data collection on all patients admitted with SCI for management.


RESULTS
A total of 46 patients (40 males) were admitted from January to December 2000; median age was 37 years (range 6-82 years). In all, 23 of the patients presented with cervical injuries, 19 patients had thoracic injuries. In all, 18 patients had complete injuries (American spinal injuries association (ASIA)). Motor vehicle collisions were the cause of 50% of SCI.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of SCI in Ireland is 13.1 per million population. Demographic data from this study can go towards improving care for patients with SCI and also in the prevention of SCI.
O'Connor
R J
RJ
Academic Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
Murray
P C
PC
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries