@article{ref1,
title="Epidemiology of spine trauma in an Irish regional trauma unit: A 4-year study",
journal="Injury",
year="2008",
author="Roche, Simon J. and Sloane, Peter A. and McCabe, J. P.",
volume="39",
number="4",
pages="436-442",
abstract="Currently there is a lack of information on the full spectrum of spine trauma presenting to medical services in a defined geographic area. This study analyses the aetiology and demographics of a cohort of spine trauma in the West of Ireland. A regional trauma unit has been investigated for a 51-month period. Two hundred and eighty-five cases admitted with spine trauma were documented. The annual incidence of traumatic spinal injury was 19.54 cases/100,000 persons per year. Falls and low-energy trauma are shown to constitute a significant proportion of all cases (60.35%). Injury at greater than one level is frequently present. The highest peak of injury occurred in the 20-24-year-old age group (11.58%). A second peak occurred at 75-79 years of age (7.37%). The commonest cause of neurological injury was falls (n=9; 64.3%). This spine trauma register has provided valuable insights into the patterns of injury encountered in spine trauma patients in this region. It may act as a blueprint for a national spine trauma register and highlights the importance of patient education and injury prevention strategies.<p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0020-1383",
doi="10.1016/j.injury.2007.12.012",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2007.12.012"
}