The changing demographics of traumatic spinal cord injury in Beijing, China: a single-centre report of 2448 cases over 7 years

Study design Retrospective study. Objectives To investigate the epidemiological changes in persons with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) over the past 7 years in Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, China. Setting Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center (CRRC). Methods A database containing the records of all persons treated with SCI from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2019 was reviewed. Variables including demographic and clinical data were analysed. Comparisons were made with data previously published in 2002. Results During the study period, 2448 persons with recent TSCI were included in the analysis. The mean age at the time of injury increased from 38.1 years to 40.2 years (P = 0.025). The percentage of elderly persons increased (8.8-14.6%,P = 0.036) and was higher than that in 2002. The percentage of retirees increased. Transport related injuries were the leading cause of injury and the percentage of TSCI due to low falls increased 6%. Low falls were the most common cause for elderly persons (y >= 60) and were even higher for elderly women. Persons with cervical injuries increased compared to the 2002-data (44.1% vs 4.9%). The percentage of persons with incomplete SCI increased significantly over the study duration. Conclusions Persons with TSCI are becoming older, and the percentage of elderly persons is increasing year by year. These changes are likely due to a combination of population ageing in the region and changes in aetiology, with corresponding changes including an increase in persons with cervical TSCI and persons with incomplete injury.

Automated summary

This retrospective study investigated the epidemiological changes in traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) patients at Beijing Bo'ai Hospital over the past 7 years, revealing an increase in average age and proportion of elderly patients, as well as a rise in TSCI cases caused by low falls and cervical injuries. The study also found a significant increase in the proportion of patients with incomplete SCI.