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The epidemiology of traumatic cervical spine fractures: a prospective population study from Norway
- Source :
- Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, Vol 20, Iss 1, p 85 (2012), Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
- Publisher :
- Springer Nature
-
Abstract
- Aim The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of traumatic cervical spine fractures (CS-fx) in a general population. Background The incidence of CS-fx in the general population is largely unknown. Methods All CS-fx (C0/C1 to C7/Th1) patients diagnosed with cervical-CT in Southeast Norway (2.7 million inhabitants) during the time period from April 27, 2010-April 26, 2011 were prospectively registered in this observational cohort study. Results Over a one-year period, 319 patients with CS-fx at one or more levels were registered, constituting an estimated incidence of 11.8/100,000/year. The median age of the patients was 56 years (range 4–101 years), and 68% were males. The relative incidence of CS-fx increased significantly with age. The trauma mechanisms were falls in 60%, motorized vehicle accidents in 21%, bicycling in 8%, diving in 4% and others in 7% of patients. Neurological status was normal in 79%, 5% had a radiculopathy, 8% had an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI), 2% had a complete SCI, and neurological function could not be determined in 6%. The mortality rates after 1 and 3 months were 7 and 9%, respectively. Among 319 patients, 26.6% were treated with open surgery, 68.7% were treated with external immobilization with a stiff collar and 4.7% were considered stable and not in need of any specific treatment. The estimated incidence of surgically treated CS-fx in our population was 3.1/100,000/year. Conclusions This study estimates the incidence of traumatic CS-fx in a general Norwegian population to be 11.8/100,000/year. A male predominance was observed and the incidence increased with increasing age. Falls were the most common trauma mechanism, and SCI was observed in 10%. The 1- and 3-month mortality rates were 7 and 9%, respectively. The incidence of open surgery for the fixation of CS-fx in this population was 3.1/100,000/year. Level of evidence This is a prospective observational cohort study and level II-2 according to US Preventive Services Task Force.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Pediatrics
Adolescent
Epidemiology
Cervical vertebrae
Population
Poison control
Comorbidity
Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
Trauma
Young Adult
medicine
Humans
Spondylitis, Ankylosing
Prospective Studies
education
Prospective cohort study
Child
Aged
Original Research
Aged, 80 and over
education.field_of_study
business.industry
Norway
Mortality rate
Incidence (epidemiology)
Incidence
Accidents, Traffic
lcsh:Medical emergencies. Critical care. Intensive care. First aid
Spinal fractures
lcsh:RC86-88.9
Middle Aged
Surgery
Bicycling
Child, Preschool
Emergency Medicine
Population study
Accidental Falls
Female
business
Cohort study
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 17577241
- Volume :
- 20
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....a2dd56142cae614a78d2560fc70a6c07
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1757-7241-20-85