Survival after spinal cord injury in Australia.

Abstract

To assess survival after spinal cord injury (SCI) in Australia. Cohort study of incident cases from 1986 to 1997, with follow-up to the end of 1998. Cases registered by 6 Australian treatment centers for the acute care and rehabilitation of SCI patients. Subjects (N=2892), age 15 years and older, from a national population-based SCI register. Not applicable. Cumulative and relative survival proportions and hazard ratios. The all-cases cumulative survival proportion was 94% at 1 year and 86% at 10 years; the relative survival proportions were 95% and 92%, respectively. Significant predictors of survival were: age at injury, sex, neurologic level, and extent of lesion. Cox regression modeling revealed a statistically significant reduction in the 2-month (36% reduction, P=.01) and 1-year (27% reduction, P=.04) hazard ratio from 1986 to 1991 to 1992 to 1997. Benchmarking analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in survival experience between the 6 spinal treatment units. Further improvement in survival rates can be achieved through better understanding of the predictors, temporal patterns, and causes of death, and by benchmarking. Early deaths have an important impact on overall survival rates, and warrant further study. International standardization of methods is strongly recommended.