Epidemiologia do trauma raquimedular cervical na zona norte da cidade de São Paulo

Quality of life and self-esteem in patients with paraplegia and pressure ulcers: a controlled cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and self-esteem in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) and pressure ulcers.

METHOD

This study was a controlled cross-sectional study. HRQoL was assessed using the generic Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem/UNIFESP-EPM Scale. A total of 120 patients with traumatic SCI were included in the sample, of which 60 had pressure ulcers and were assigned to the study group, and 60 had no pressure ulcers and were assigned to the control group. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Student's t-test.

RESULTS

Of the 60 patients in the study group, 83.3% were men and the mean age was 38.17 years (SD = 9.08 years). When compared with controls, patients in the study group reported significantly lower scores (worse health status) on all SF-36 subscales (p less than or equal to 0.0013) except for general health (p=0.109). The RSE/UNIFESP-EMP scale total score indicated that patients with pressure ulcers had significantly lower self-esteem than controls (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Pressure ulcers had an adverse impact on the HRQoL and self-esteem of patients with SCI.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no external sources of funding for this study. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Prevalence of deep vein thrombosis in patients with paraplegia caused by traumas

BACKGROUND: Deep vein thrombosis is a common disease among people who are immobilized. Immobility is inherent to paraplegia and leads to venous stasis, which is one of the factors covered by Virchow's triad describing its development. Trauma is the primary cause of paraplegia and is currently increasing at a rate of 4% per year. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of deep vein thrombosis in paraplegic patients whose paraplegia was caused by traumas, using color Doppler ultrasonography for diagnosis. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational study of 30 trauma-induced paraplegia patients, selected after analysis of medical records at the neurosurgery department of a University Hospital in Curitiba, Brazil, and by a proactive survey of associations that care for the physically disabled. The prevalence of deep vein thrombosis was analyzed using 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Spinal cord trauma was the cause of paraplegia in 29 patients. The most common cause of trauma was gunshot wounding, reported by 17 patients. Deep vein thrombosis was diagnosed by color Doppler ultrasonography in 14 patients in the sample. The most often affected vein was the posterior tibial, in 11 patients. The left lower limb was involved three times more often than the right. Edema was observed in 25 individuals, cyanosis in 14, ulcers in 8 and localized increase in temperature in 13. CONCLUSIONS: Deep vein thrombosis was prevalent, occurring in 46.7% of the patients.

Clinical complications in patients with severe cervical spinal trauma: a ten-year prospective study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the complications due to severe acrescentar sigla após o nome (CST). METHODS: Between 1997 and 2006, 217 patients (191 men and 26 women) were prospectively evaluated. The mean age was 36.75±1.06 years. RESULTS: Forty-five percent of the patients had medical complications. The most important risk factor was alcoholic beverage use. The most important associated injury was head trauma (HT). Patients with American Spine Injury Association (ASIA) A or B had a 2.3-fold greater relative risk of developing complications. Thirty-three patients (15.2%) died. Patients with neurological deficit had a 16.9-fold higher risk of death. There was no influence of age and time between trauma and surgery on the presence of complications. CONCLUSIONS: Of the patients, 45% had clinical complications and 7.5% had associated injuries; pneumonia was the most important complication; patient age and time between trauma and surgery did not influence the development of medical complications; neurological status was the most important factor in determining morbidity and mortality.

Epidemiology of severe cervical spinal trauma in the north area of São Paulo City: a 10-year prospective study

Object

The main objective was to study the epidemiological data obtained in patients with cervical spinal trauma (CST) in the north area of São Paulo City between 1997 and 2006.

Methods

All patients with severe CST in the north area of São Paulo City were studied. The data analyzed were age, sex, incidence, causes of trauma, level of trauma, morbidity, deaths, and complications. Analytical tests were performed to study risks of trauma and complications. The chi-square and analysis of variance tests were used for analytical data (significance level p < 0.05).

Results

The study population consisted of 217 patients who were hospitalized for CST. The average incidence rate was 21.6 cases annually or 1.8 cases monthly. The mean patient age was 36.75 years. The 20–40-year-old age bracket was found to be most highly represented, corresponding to 52.6% of total patients. Patients were predominantly male; 191 patients (88.01%) were male compared with only 26 female patients (11.99%). The ratio of men to women was 7.35:1. Injuries in the craniocervical region corresponded to 43 (19.8%) of the cases; injuries in the cervical subaxial region corresponded to 174 (80.2%) of the cases and were associated with worse neurological lesions. Additionally, 40.6% of patients presented with complications in other organs and systems; several patients presented with multiple complications, and 33 patients (15.02%) died. During the hospitalization period, 4 patients presenting as Grade A on the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Scale evolved to Grade C, 1 patient presenting as ASIA Grade A evolved to Grade B, and 2 patients evolved to Grade E. Two patients who had been admitted without neurological lesions evolved to ASIA Grade C (1 patient postsurgery and 1 patient post-traction). Two patients presenting initially as ASIA Grade E evolved to Grade D, and another to central cord syndrome. On average, patients with incomplete lesions improved 1 grade in ASIA classification during hospitalization.

Conclusions

Data from severe CST observed in the current study suggest many differences in the characteristics described in the majority of published epidemiological studies and those found in patients in the north area of São Paulo City. It is likely that these differences reflect the urban and cultural habits and behaviors of the population specific to this area.