Affiliations: [a] Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brasil | [b] Departamento Morfofuncional, Faculdade de Medicina Ceres (FACERES), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brasil
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: João Simão de Melo Neto, Departamento Morfofuncional da Faculdade Ceres (FACERES), Avenida Anísio Haddad, 6751 - Jardim Morumbi, São José do Rio Preto, SP, CEP 15090-305, Brasil. E-mail:joaosimao03@hotmail.com
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) has a negative impact on
quality of life and healthcare costs. In recent years with the age pyramid
inversion, there has been a high prevalence of SCI in the elderly. These
patients must be studied in order to invest in the prevention and treatment
of SCI in these patients. OBJECTIVE: To identify the characteristics and clinical aspects of
spinal cord injury (SCI) in the elderly. METHODS: Retrospective study of elderly patients (≥ 60 years
of age) with a clinical diagnosis of SCI. Clinical and socio-demographic
variables were collected from medical records. RESULTS: Sixty-two elderly patients were studied (56% men). The
patients were analyzed according to gender. Women presented compression
fractures associated with thoracolumbar transition, while men presented with
listhesis associated with cervical lesions and increased complications. It
was found that the need for surgical intervention was higher in men. Among
many characteristics that differed between the elderly and younger people
(< 60 years; n = 259), in the morphological diagnosis, we observed that
compression fractures and dislocation fractures were more highly associated
with ages ≥ 60 and < 60, respectively. After SCI, the elderly have a
higher risk for late hemodynamic instability. CONCLUSION: Elderly individuals with SCI have distinct
characteristics and clinical factors related to gender and age.
