Niemi-Nikkola V, Saijets N, Ylipoussu H, Kinnunen P, Pesälä J, Mäkelä P, Alén M, Kallinen M, Vainionpää A. Spine 2018; 43(1): E45-E51.
Affiliation
*Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Oulu University Hospital †Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu ‡Division of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oulu University Hospital §Center for Life Course Epidemiology Research, University of Oulu.
STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective epidemiological study.
OBJECTIVE: To reveal incidence and epidemiological features of traumatic spinal injuries (TSI) in Northern Finland. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In Finland the annual incidence of traumatic spine fractures requiring inpatient care has been found to be 27/100 000, while international incidences have varied across the range of 16-64/100 000. More specific epidemiological data from Finland is not available. Internationally, the most common mechanisms of injury are road traffic as well as low and high falls. Associated injuries occur in 30-55% of cases.
METHODS: The study sample included patients with traumatic spinal injury admitted to Oulu University Hospital (OYS) with injury between the 1 of January 2007 and 31 of December 2011. Patient information was collected from the hospital care register, including all inpatient and outpatient visits and surgical procedures. Traumatic spinal column and spinal cord injuries were identified using ICD-10 or NCSP codes and all patient records were manually reviewed.
RESULTS: 971 patients met the criteria for TSI. The mean annual incidence of hospitalised traumatic spinal injuries was 26/100 000 in the whole of Northern Finland and 35/100 000 in the OYS main responsibility area. The most frequent aetiology of TSI was low falls, which accounted for 35.8% of the injuries, followed by road traffic and high falls. Lumbar spine was the most common site of the fracture. Spinal surgery was performed in 376 (38.7%) cases. 308 patients (31.7%) suffered from associated injuries (ASOI), 101 (10.4%) had a spinal cord injury and 71 (7.3%) a brain injury.
CONCLUSIONS: Low falls in elderly and road traffic injuries in younger age groups were the most common aetiology of traumatic spinal injuries in Northern Finland and should be given more attention in primary prevention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.