title: Incidence of acute spinal cord injury in the Czech Republic: a prospective epidemiological study 2006-2015.
abstract: METHODS
  A prospective study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Analysis of epidemiological data about acute spinal cord injury (SCI) in the Czech Republic over a period of 10 years (2006-2015).
  
  
  METHODS
  A data collection system was implemented in the rehabilitation centres which provides care to patients with acute SCI in the Czech Republic. The recorded variables are as follows: age at time of SCI; gender; cause of injury; neurological level of injury (NLI); and its severity (ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS)). Data from 2006 to 2015 were analysed and trends were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall number of acute SCI ranges between 250 and 300 cases annually. Two-third of the affected population are males. The average age at time of SCI is 49.1 years. The average incidence of traumatic SCI is 15.5 cases per year and is gradually decreasing. The leading cause of SCI are falls (44.5%), followed by traffic accidents (28.2%) and sports injuries including diving into water (19.7%). The incidence of non-traumatic SCI is 8.6 cases per year on average and has an upward trend. Inflammatory lesions account for 26.7% of cases, tumours account for 20.9%, and vascular related injuries make up 17.7%. The NLI occurs most often in the cervical segments (45.3%). The most frequently occurring lesions are motor incomplete: AIS D (33.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows a stable occurrence of SCI in the Czech Republic, with cervical and motor incomplete cases being the leading ones. Epidemiological data are needed to improve the care of SCI patients and to promote an active life following it.
authors.affiliation: Spinal Cord Unit, Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kriz
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Centre, Kladruby, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kulakovska
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Centre, Hrabyně, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Davidova
authors.affiliation: Hamza's Rehabilitation Centre, Luže-Košumberk, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Silova
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kobesova
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D018153:Czech Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology