Spinal cord lesions in Bangladesh: an epidemiological study 1994-1995

Objectives: Spinal Cord Lesions are a major public health problem in Bangla desh. This epidemiological study was undertaken in order to identify the ca uses of spinal cord lesions and thus to allow prevention and control progra ms to be det eloped. Materials and methods: The records of 247 patients with spinal cord lesions admitted to The Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), Sava r, Dhaka from January 1994 to June 1995 were reviewed retrospectively. Comp arisons were made with the reports of studies from other countries, both de veloping and developed. Results: The most common cause of traumatic lesions was a fall from a heigh t followed by falling when carrying a heavy weight on the head and road tra ffic accidents. Most of the patients were between 20-40 years old and the o verall age group ranged from 10-70 years, The male:female ratio was 7.5:1.0 . Among the traumatic spinal cord lesions, 60% were paraplegics and 40% tet raplegics. Among the non-traumatic spinal cord lesions cases 84% were parap legics and 16% tetraplegics. The leading cause of death resulted from respi ratory complications and these deaths occurred in the very early period of admission. Conclusion: From the results it can be deduced that the high incidence of s pinal cord lesion as a result from falls from a height, and from falling wh en carrying a heavy weight on the head, can be explained by the mainly agri cultural based economy of Bangladesh. The most common age group (10-40 year s) of patients reflects the socio-economic conditions of Bangladesh. The ma le:female ratio (7.5: 1.0) of patients with a spinal cord lesion is due to the socio-economic status and to the traditional culture of the society.