Citation

Rish BL, Dilustro JF, Salazar AM, Schwab KA, Brown HR. Mil. Med. 1997; 162(2): 141-148.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9038035

Abstract

The morbidity and mortality occurring during 25 years following spinal cord injury were analyzed. A cohort of 230 patients was selected from the Vietnam Head and Spinal Cord Injury Study Registry meeting the following criteria: (1) survival beyond triage (72 hours); (2) significant myelopathy; and (3) availability of medical records. The military and Veteran's Hospital medical records were compiled and reviewed. Additional death records were obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs pension office. The major morbidity problems continue to be sepsis related to genitourinary and decubiti sequelae. Psychosocial maladjustment and substance abuse were prevalent and created heavy health care demand. The most frequent cause of death was sepsis. Suicide in the paraplegic group occurred at a rate exceeding by 10 times the frequency reported for uninjured peers. Survival after 5 years approached but never reached the rate established for uninjured peers.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Muscular Atrophy, Spinal; Registries; Sepsis; Spinal Cord Injuries; Substance-Related Disorders; Suicide; United States; Urologic Diseases; Veterans