Predictors of complications and mortality in traumatic spinal cord injuries

Background. One of the most common causes of death is trauma. The World Health Organization predicts a 40 % increase in injuries and injury-related deaths over the next 10 years. Despite the achievements of modern medicine, mortality in spine and spinal cord injuries remains high. This is explained not only by the severity of traumas, but also a large number of secondary complications,.

Aim. To study the frequency of complications and the mortality rate of traumatic spinal cord injuries; to identify factors affecting the outcome of such injuries. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis covered 322 medical records from patients diagnosed with traumatic spinal cord injury and admitted to neurosurgical departments of Saint Petersburg in 2012–2016.

Results. Secondary complications (outside of the central nervous system) were found in 33 % cases, with the most common and serious being respiratory complications, pressure ulcers and thromboembolism. Complications more often occurred in elderly patients (over 75), as well as in severe injuries at the cervical and thoracic level. Complications developed significantly more frequently in patients with concomitant traumatic brain injury (TBI) and persons with alcohol consumption before injury. Complications noticeably increased the length of hospital stay and increased the risk of death by 43 times. 14 % of the patients died during primary stay in hospital. The spinal cord injury incompatible with life occurred only in 1 % of the patients. The lethal outcome correlated with age, severity, level of injury, concomitant TBI and alcohol consumption.

Conclusion. We have found a high incidence of unfavourable outcomes for traumatic spinal cord injuries (every third patient had at least one complication, every seventh died during the primary hospitalisation). In addition to unmodifiable factors, a statistically significant negative role of alcohol in the frequency of complications and death after spinal cord injury was found. Promoting a healthy lifestyle with low alcohol consumption, optimising preventive and therapeutic measures aimed at reducing the frequency of infectious and thromboembolic complications will improve the outcome of traumatic spinal cord injuries, reduce the length of hospital stay and decrease the economic burden of spinal cord injuries.