1. Unveiling the incidence and aetiology of TSCI in South Africa: is it any different?
Conran Joseph1, Julie Phillips2 , Kerstin Wahman3,4, Lena Nilsson Wikmar1
1Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; 2University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa; 3Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; 4Rehab Station Stockholm/Spinalis R&D Unit, Stockholm, Sweden
Conclusions
The incidence of TSCI in a region of South Africa is among the highest in the world, with the highest proportion of injuries due to violent causes.
The need exists to plan and develop prevention programs that take into account the unique societal factors that predispose predominantly younger men to engage in violence-related activities.
Results
Introduction
The consequences of a traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) is devastating, which require a comprehensive management approach that is costly. Epidemiological data are scarce for the developing world; thus hinders the initiation of prevention programs.
Leading causes of TSCI worldwide
Participants’ characteristics (N=145)
Mean (SD) Median (R)
Age at injury
18-30 (n; %)
30-45
46-60
≥61
33.5 (13.8) 78 41 18 8
29.0 (18-93) 54 28 12 6
Gender
Male
Female N
124 21 %
85.5
14.5
Aetiology
Assault
Transport
Falls
’Other’ 86 38 17 4
59.3
26.3
11.7
2.7 
Neurological category
Ventilation dependant
C1-C4 AIS A; B; C
C5-C8 AIS A; B; C
T1-S5 AIS A; B; C
All AIS D 23 53
19.3
15.9
28.3
36.5
Purpose
To determine the annual incidence, aetiology, and injury characteristics of all newly-injured survivors of TSCI in a region of South Africa.
Method
1-year prospective, population-based cohort design.
All government-funded hospitals managing TSCI cases were part of the registration system.
The incidence rate was 75.6 per million population, with assualt as the leading cause of injury.
Conran Joseph (PhD candidate)
Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society
Division of Physiotherapy
Telephone:
Conran’s PhD work focuses on epidemiological aspects, injury characteristics and acute outcomes following traumatic spinal cord injury in South Africa and Sweden.

2. Unveiling the incidence and aetiology of TSCI in South Africa: is it any different?
Conran Joseph1, Julie Phillips2 , Kerstin Wahman1,3 Lena Nilsson Wikmar1
1Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; 2University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa; 3Rehab Station Stockholm/Spinalis R&D Unit, Stockholm, Sweden
Method
1-year prospective, population-based cohort design.
All government-funded hospitals managing TSCI cases were part of the registration system.
Conclusions
The incidence of TSCI in a region of South Africa is among the highest in the world, with the highest proportion of injuries due to violent causes.
The need exists to plan and develop prevention programs that take into account the unique societal factors that predispose predominantly younger men to engage in violence-related activities.
Results
Participants’ characteristics (N=145)
Mean (SD) Median (R)
Age at injury
18-30 (n; %)
30-45
46-60
≥61
33.5 (13.8) 78 41 18 8
29.0 (18-93) 54 28 12 6
Gender
Male
Female N
124 21 %
85.5
14.5
Aetiology
Assault
Transport
Falls
’Other’ 86 38 17 4
59.3
26.3
11.7
2.7 
Neurological category
Ventilation dependant
C1-C4 AIS A; B; C
C5-C8 AIS A; B; C
T1-S5 AIS A; B; C
All AIS D 23 53
19.3
15.9
28.3
36.5
Introduction
Depending on the severity, the consequences of a traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) is devastating. Epidemiological data are scarce for the developing world; thus hinders the initiation of prevention programs.
Leading causes of TSCI worldwide
The incidence rate was 75.6 per million population, with assault as the leading cause of injury.
Taken directly from: Cripps et al (Spinal Cord)
Purpose
To determine the annual incidence, aetiology, and injury characteristics of all newly-injured survivors of TSCI in a region of South Africa.
Conran Joseph (PhD candidate)
Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society
Division of Physiotherapy
Telephone:
Conran’s PhD work focuses on epidemiological aspects, injury characteristics and acute outcomes following traumatic spinal cord injury in South Africa and Sweden.