Traumatic spinal cord injury in Saudi Arabia: an epidemiological estimate from Riyadh

Study design: Retrospective study. Objectives: To review traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) rates and epidemiology at the Riyadh Military Hospital (RMH) in Saudi Arabia and to hypothesise strategies for a more integrated approach to injury prevention in Saudi Arabia. Setting: RMH, Rehabilitation Division. Methods: A review was conducted of all patients with TSCI aged >= 14 years admitted to RMH from January 2003 to December 2008. Descriptive analysis was performed for age, gender, cause of TSCI, completeness and neurological level of the injury. Results: In all, 307 TSCI patients were admitted during this period: 88% were male, and their mean age was 29.5 years old (median 27, range 14-70). Of all TSCI patients, 52% had tetraplegia and 51% had a complete TSCI. Road traffic accidents (RTAs) were the main cause of TSCI (85%). Conclusions: TSCI in Saudi Arabia affects mainly the male population. The rate of RTAs caused by four-wheeled vehicles is the highest globally reported RTA statistic. Primary prevention strategies specific to the region should be developed to decrease the number of car accidents. The higher-than-expected rate of complete injuries may reflect practices in acute management and transport, and suggests that a review of the acute and integrated management of TSCI may also be necessary. Spinal Cord (2012) 50, 882-884; doi:10.1038/sc.2012.65; published online 10 July 2012