Cauda equina syndrome: an analysis of incidence rates and risk factors among a closed North American military population.

OBJECTIVE

This investigation attempted to determine the incidence of cauda equine syndrome (CES) within a closed North American population from 2001 to 2010. This study also aimed to define risk factors influential in its development.

METHODS

A search was performed using the Defense Medical Epidemiology Database and the ICD-9 code for CES (344.6). Demographic information including sex, race, military rank, branch of service, and age was obtained for the entire military population, as well as those diagnosed with CES. Incidence rates were calculated for the population as a whole, as well as for risk factors of interest. Multivariate Poisson regression analysis was utilized to identify significant risks while controlling for other factors in the model.

RESULTS

Between 2001 and 2010, the incidence of CES in the military was 7 per 100,000 person-years. Female sex was found to have the highest incidence rate at 0.15 per 1000 person-years. Female sex, whites, individuals classified as other race, senior military rank, and age 30 and older were found to be significant risks for the development of CES.

CONCLUSIONS

The results are in keeping with the findings of previous works, however, our cohort represents the largest number of patients with CES to be presented in the literature.