title: Traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord impairment in New Zealand: incidence and characteristics of people admitted to spinal units.
abstract: This paper estimates the incidence (all ages) of spinal cord neurological impairment (SCI; traumatic and non-traumatic) in New Zealand and describes pre-SCI characteristics and early post-SCI outcomes for participants (16-64 years) in this longitudinal study. Demographic and clinical data on all people admitted to New Zealand's two spinal units (mid-2007 to mid-2009) were included for the estimate of incidence. Participants in this longitudinal study were asked at first interview about pre-SCI socio-demographic, health and behavioural characteristics, and about post-SCI symptoms, general health status (EQ-5D) and disability (WHODAS 12-item). Age-adjusted incidence rates (95% CI) for European, Māori, Pacific and 'Other' ethnicities were 29 (24-34), 46 (30-64), 70 (40-100) and 16 (9-22) per million, respectively. Interviews with 118 (73%) participants (16-64 years), occurred 6.5 months post-SCI. Most reported bother with symptoms, and problems with health status and disability. Compared with Europeans, the incidence of SCI is high among Māori and particularly high among Pacific people. Six months after SCI, proximate to discharge from the spinal units, considerable symptomatic, general health and disability burden was borne by people with SCI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. sarah.derrett@otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Derrett
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beaver
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: G Peter
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Herbison
authors.forename: Rick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Acland
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paul
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult