By analyzing data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019, the authors hoped to generate estimates for the incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) of spinal cord injury (SCI) across geographic regions, age groups, injury sites, and socio-demographic index (SDI). The Global Burden of Disease 2019 report estimates the number of lives lost due to 369 diseases and injuries worldwide in 2019. It also examines the changes in mortality over the preceding 30 years. In addition, the prevalence of SCI following injury from different mechanisms is assessed. DisMod-MR2.1, a Bayesian meta-regression program, was used to generate the estimations. To illustrate how age-standardized rates have changed over time, researchers calculated the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) using a linear regression model that considers both the calendar year and the age-standardized rates. To analyze the connection between SDI and the occurrence and impact of SCI, investigators turned to the Spearman rank order correlation. There were 0.9 [95% uncertainty interval (UI), 0.7 to 1.2] million incident cases, 20.6 [95% UI, 18.9-23.6] million prevalent cases, and 6.2 [95% UI, 4.5-8.2] million YLDs of total SCI in the world in 2019. There was a rise in the ASPR (EAPC = 0.1; 95% UI = -0.01 to 0.2), a fall in the ASIR (EAPC = -0.08; 95% UI = -0.24 to 0.09), and a fall in the ASYR (EAPC = -0.08; 95% UI = -0.24 to 0.09). Incidence, frequency, and years lived with disability were all higher in the older population and higher in males. The ASYR was greater for cervical spine injuries than thoracic and lumbar injuries. The SDI correlated positively with ASIR (P=0.1626, P<0.05), while it correlated negatively with the EAPC of ASYR (P=-0.2421, P<0.01). Overall, the prevalence and impact of SCI have grown during the past 30 years. Younger people and females were less affected than men and the elderly.
Source: journals.lww.com/spinejournal/Fulltext/2022/11010/Spinal_Cord_Injury__The_Global_Incidence,.8.aspx
