Characteristics and outcomes of gunshot-acquired spinal cord injury in South Africa
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Date
2017
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
South African Medical Association
Abstract
Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) caused by assault present a unique challenge facing the healthcare system, in that very little
is known about how these injuries manifest compared with other causes of injury. Understanding the nuances of gunshot SCIs could
contribute towards better care provision. To determine the characteristics of gunshot SCI and compare both injury characteristics and outcomes between gunshot SCI
and all other traumatic causes taken together. The gunshot SCI sub-cohort was derived from a 1-year prospective, population-based study, including both tertiary-level
hospitals providing SCI care in the Cape Metropolitan area of South Africa (SA). All consenting 145 survivors, after a window period of
7 days, were included, and their demographic and injury characteristics were captured according to the International SCI Core Basic Data
Set. Further, selected secondary medical complications (outcomes) were prospectively and routinely assessed throughout acute care. Both
descriptive and inferential statistics were used to describe and compare characteristics and outcomes, respectively.
Description
Keywords
Physiotheraphy, Healthcare system, Violence, South Africa
Citation
Joseph, C. (2017). Characteristics and outcomes of gunshot-acquired spinal cord injury in South Africa. South African Medical Journal, 107 (6) ,518-522. http://dx.doi.org/10.7196/samj.2017.v107i6.12296