Traumatic spinal cord injury: A four-year study in Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVE

Assess the occurrence of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in Puerto Rico, a geographically delimited territory.

DESIGN

Retrospective review of data from all encounters with ICD-10-CM codes S12-14, S22-24, S32-34, G82.2 and G82.5 for years 2019-2022.

SETTING

Puerto Rico Trauma Hospital.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient (sex, age) and injury characteristics (neurological level, mechanism of injury, severity score, length of stay, mortality, and disposition).

RESULTS

Annual incidence rates did not change over time with an increasing trend among older adults (P = 0.08). Median age was 44 yrs and 85% were men. The most frequent neurological level was thoracic (P = 0.03). Falls were the most common mechanism and was associated with age (P < 0.0001). In-hospital mortality was 24.8%, higher (P = 0.05) in 2020-2021. Median length of stay was 26 days, higher (P = 0.014) in 2020-2021. An increase (P < 0.001) over time in discharges to inpatient rehabilitation was observed. The SARS-CoV-2 lockdown resulted in fewer and older patients; more cervical injuries and falls; longer length of stay, and higher in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSION

The risk of TSCI in Puerto Rico was 74% lower than in the United States. The incidence of TSCI in older adults in Puerto Rico appears to be on the rise due to falls. Preventive strategies should include fall prevention education and social interventions to decrease motor vehicle accidents and firearm violence. Disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic, can change demographic trends in TSCI. Trauma centers should consider implementing a physiatry consult service to improve patient disposition.