Traumatismo Raquimedular: um estudo das características epidemiológicas, clínicas e o fluxo de tratamento dos pacientes atendidos no Sistema Único de Saúde-SUS

Introduction: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spine that affects spinal cord function, motor or sensory deficits. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of spinal cord injury patients treated at public reference hospitals in São Luís - MA. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from August to December 2023, using the medical records of patients who were admitted with a diagnosis of SCI between 2019 and 2023. Demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Stata program. Results: 194 medical records were assessed, of which 85.05% were men. As for the cause of the trauma, 45.64% was a fall from a height. Regarding the level of trauma, 30.41% corresponded to C1 - C6. The neurological definition grade with the highest percentage was ASIA B and 91.30% had to undergo surgery. Regarding the final outcome of the patients, 5.6% died. There was an association between the degree of ASIA B neurological impairment and firearms (p = 0.035) and length of stay (p = 0.009). Conclusion: A higher percentage of SCI was observed in young male patients and falls from a height were the main cause of SCI.