Epidemiology of Spinal Injury in North East India: A Retrospective Study

AIM: To find out the epidemiology of spinal injury in North East India. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective hospital-based analysis of spine injury patients admitted to Central Referral Hospital, Sikkim Manipal University from July 2013 to June 2017July 2013 to June 2017. RESULTS: During the study period 57 patients with spinal injury were admitted and treated. Out of the 57 patients, 46 (81%) were male and 11 (19%) were female. The most common mode of injury was fall from height (59.64%) followed by RTA (35.08%). Most common affected age group in this study was 20-39 years followed by 50-59 years age group. Cervical spine injury was the most common (52.63%) followed by thoracic (19.29%) spine. Most common injury found was fracture dislocation of C5-C6 level. Most common associated injury is head trauma (10.52 %) followed by chest injury and 82.45% cases had no associated trauma. Average period of hospital stay was 22.83 days with maximum period of stay was 111 days. During treatment period one patient died due to respiratory complications. CONCLUSION: The epidemiology of spinal injuries in Sikkim & North Eastern India is different from rest of the India and other developing countries. In present study most common cause of spine injury was fall from height followed by motor vehicle accidents. RTA was the main cause in younger age group and fall from height was more common in elderly group.