A 10-year population survey of spinal trauma and spinal cord injuries after road accidents in the Rhône area.
Fatalities or injuries following motorized and non-motorized vehicle accidents (MNMVA) are reported by police or health care systems. However, limited data exist for spinal injuries. Using an epidemiological database of road accidents occurring in a defined geographic area, we measured the incidence of major spinal trauma (MST, Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] score 2 or more), spinal cord injury (SCI, AIS score 4 or more), and associated lesions over a 10-year period (1997-2006). Among the 97,341 victims included, 21,623 (22.2%) suffered spinal trauma, but only 1523 (1.6%) and 144 (0.2%) sustained an MST or SCI, respectively, and among those 10% and 43% died, respectively, before reaching hospital facilities. Men were more likely to have SCI and die. Cervical injuries were more frequently observed for SCI (58%) than for MST (39%; p < 0.001). Motorcyclists were overrepresented in SCI (33%) compared to MST (21%; p < 0.001), and were at significant risk for fatality. Non-restrained car occupants were at risk of MST and SCI, whereas motorcyclists wearing helmets were not. The chest was the most frequently-injured body region. Nearly half of MNMVA victims suffering SCI die quickly after the crash. Young age, male gender, a motorcyclist, and non-restrained car occupant were risk factors for serious injury. These groups should be targeted in specific programs to decrease fatalities, spinal trauma, and SCI after MNMVA.
Lieutaud
Thomas
T
Service d'Anesthésie Réanimation, Centre Hospitalier Lyon-Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Pierre Bénite Cedex, France. thomas.lieutaud@chu-lyon.fr
Ndiaye
Amina
A
Frost
Fanny
F
Chiron
Mireille
M
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001336:Automobiles; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009049:Motorcycles; D012622:Seat Belts; D012737:Sex Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*