The aim of this study was to epidemiologically evaluate patients diagnosed with spinal cord injury who were admitted to our clinic over the last five years and, unlike similar studies, to investigate the presence of complications in these patients. The investigators hope that this study will contribute to the literature by raising awareness of spinal cord injury epidemiology and potential complications.
This study was designed as a retrospective descriptive study. Patients who were admitted to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic of Bandırma Training and Research Hospital with a diagnosis of paraplegia or tetraplegia between December 1, 2020, and December 1, 2025, were included in the study. These diagnoses were screened using the following ICD-10 codes: G82 (paraplegia and tetraplegia), G82.0 (flaccid paraplegia), G82.1 (spastic paraplegia), G82.2 (paraparesis and paraplegia, unspecified), G82.3 (flaccid tetraplegia), G82.4 (spastic tetraplegia), and G82.5 (tetraplegia, unspecified). Data regarding patients' age, sex, etiology of spinal cord injury, level of injury, and the presence of complications were recorded. In cases where complications were present, the time from injury to the development of complications was recorded in months. Since the most common causes of spinal cord injury differ across age groups, age categories were defined as ≤29 years, 30-44 years, 45-59 years, 60-74 years, and ≥75 years. Etiological classification was based on the most common causes reported in the literature, including traffic accidents, falls from height, sports-related injuries, post-disc herniation or surgery, non-traumatic/inflammatory causes, and other causes. As the level of injury affects both clinical presentation and the development of complications, injury levels were categorized as cervical (C1-C8), thoracic (T1-T12), and lumbosacral (L1-S5). Evaluation parameters and grouping methods were determined based on similar studies reported in the literature.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
50
Patient data regarding age, gender, etiology of spinal cord injury, level of injury, and whether complications develop will be recorded.
Bandırma Onyedi Eylul University Faculty of Medicine
Balıkesir, Bandırma, Turkey (Türkiye)
Average age and gender of patients followed up in our clinic due to spinal cord injury
-Average age and gender of patients followed up in our clinic due to spinal cord injury
Time frame: 1 month
Etiology of injury in patients followed up in our clinic due to spinal cord injury
Etiology of injury in patients followed up in our clinic due to spinal cord injury 1. Traffic accident 2. Fall from a height 3. Sports injuries 4. Disc herniation/post-surgery 5. Non-traumatic causes/Inflammatory causes 6. Other causes
Time frame: 1 month
Stage of injury in patients followed up in our clinic due to spinal cord injury
-Stage of injury in patients followed up in our clinic due to spinal cord injury 1. C1-C8 2. T1-T12 3. L1-S5
Time frame: 1 month
Whether or not complications developed in patients followed up in our clinic due to spinal cord injury
-Whether or not complications developed in patients followed up in our clinic due to spinal cord injury These complications include: Pressure ulcer, Urinary tract infection, Deep vein thrombosis, Joint contracture, Osteoporosis/fracture, Spasticity, Autonomic dysreflexia, Psychological problems, Sexual problems, Charcot joint, Urethral stricture, Post-traumatic syringomyelia, Heterotopic ossification, Other systemic problems (respiratory problems, cardiac problems, gastrointestinal problems, metabolic and endocrine problems).
Time frame: 1 month
the time when the complication developed
\- In patients followed up in our clinic due to spinal cord injury who developed complications, the time when the complication developed.
Time frame: 1 month
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