Abstract:
Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury is a major health problem, leading to a
neurological dysfunction with repercussions on the individual's quality of life and functional
potential.
To determine the clinical-epidemiological profile of patients with traumatic
spinal cord injury admitted to the Neurosurgery service of the Maputo Central Hospital.
Methodology: A hospital-based, cross-sectional epidemiological study was performed, using
secondary data retrospectively on patients with traumatic spinal cord injury at the Neurosurgery
service. Data were extracted from the patient clinical files on sociodemografic and clinical
characteristic’s. Chi-square test were applied for data analysis.
Of the 93 cases included in the study, 72% were male; mean age was 34 years SD
14.7 years. Patients were transferred from another establishment, 38.7% from the Provincial
Hospital of Inhambane. Regarding race, 99.5% were black. In the selected sample 84.9% of
the cases of spinal cord injury occurred due to traumatic causes that are preventable, being
traffic accidents and falls from a height. 24.7% is in a complete and incomplete 75.3%. In
addition, 35.5% were classified as paraplegia and 20.4% as quadriplegia. The average overall
length of stay was 16 days, ranging from 1 to 51 days, influenced by the level of spinal cord
injury and treatment performed.
Due to the high number of observed cases of traumatic spinal cord injury, it is important to have a high degree of clinical suspicion for a timely diagnosis after the etiology. Updated incidence studies are needed throughout the country, with the aim of knowing the real impact of traumatic spinal cord injury in the Mozambican
population and the prevention of spinal cord injury in the city and province of Maputo must
consider road safety, targeting mainly young male adults and Gaza and Inhambane, the use of
safe practices for climbing trees (coconut trees).
