Citation

Kuklina EV, Kryscio RJ. Neurology 2012; 78(14): 1034-1035.

Affiliation

Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (E.V.K.), National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA; and Departments of Biostatistics and Statistics (R.J.K.), College of Public Health, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1212/WNL.0b013e31824e8fc4

PMID

22377816

Abstract

Progress in the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) has increased patient survival drastically over the last 50 years.(1) An estimated 232,000 to 316,000 persons in the United States live with SCI.(2) Fortunately, mortality in the first 2 years after injury has declined 40% over the last 3 decades(3); in contrast, mortality after the first 2 years post-injury remains static. Hence, prolonging life and enhancing quality of life for persons with SCI becomes a priority. Currently, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is second only to pulmonary conditions as the chief cause of mortality in patients with SCI.(2).

Language: en