Estimativa da incidência e prevalência de lesão medular no Brasil

An estimation of incidence and prevalence of spinal cord injury in Brazil Two hundred and two hospitals with Intensive Care Units (ICUs) (from a total of 872) in every region of the country were contacted. Eighty inquires on SCI (spinal cord injury) and its cause related to January 1997 were analyzed. Ninety three new cases were informed. We estimated 942 new cases/month, 11.304 cases/year and 71 new cases per million inhabitants/ year. Prevalence rate was of 180.000 individuals with SCI. Comparing these figures with the literature, we concluded that the incidence of SCI in Brazil is higher than that expected worldwide. Although these results could be affected by sampling errors and bias; we feel that this estimation of incidence and prevalence rates confirms a need to increasing work and resources in the area of prevention and rehabilitation programs for spinal cord injuried patients in Brazil.