An Analysis of the Burden of Spinal Cord Injury Differences Between Global Epidemiology and Trends to America, China and India

Study DesignComparative Study.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to utilize the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database to analyze the epidemiology of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and assess its burden globally and in America, China, and India from 1990 to 2021.MethodsData on SCI incidence and Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) from 1990 to 2021 for the worldwild, America, China, and India were downloaded from the GBD database. Analytical methods including Joinpoint modeling, Bayesian Average Annual Percentage Change (BAPC) modeling, and decomposition analysis were applied to process the data.ResultsIn 2021, the global incidence number of SCI was 574 502, with contributions from China (17.3%), India (15.57%), and America (7.9%). Based on YLDs number, the global burden of SCI was 4 566 237, with contributions from China (16.47%), India (13.22%), and America (6.79%). Women reached their peak SCI incidence number at older ages than men, although men had a higher overall burden. The Joinpoint model indicated that from 1990 to 2021, the AAPC of the SCI burden was negative globally, in America, China, and India, but China's ASIR did not show a statistically significant change (95% CI included 0). Predictions from BAPC models suggest that global SCI ASIR and ASYR will continue to decline. Decomposition analysis indicates that population aging and size are major contributors to the increased SCI burden, while epidemiological changes mitigate its growth.ConclusionNations need to design tailored public health policies to prevent SCI, enhance health management, and mitigate the alarming trends of SCI epidemiology according to their unique contexts.