Prevalence of spinal cord injury in Helsinki

STUDY DESIGN:: Retrospective register-based epidemiological study. OBJECTIVE:: To estimate the prevalence rate of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) with special reference to ASIA Impairment Grade A-D. SETTING:: Helsinki, Finland. METHODS:: Cases were identified using the registers of the Kapyla Rehabilitation Centre, Helsinki University Central Hospital and the local organization for the disabled. Local health centres were informed about the study, residential service houses were contacted, and announcements were published in patient magazines. RESULTS:: A regional population was found to have a prevalence rate of 28/100 000 inhabitants with SCI (ASIA Impairment Scale A-D). CONCLUSION:: The prevalence rate in this study is consistent with the data published in other Nordic countries. SPONSORSHIP:: The Finnish Cultural Foundation.Spinal Cord advance online publication, 2 November 2004; doi:10.1038/sj.sc.3101616.