This study examined the influence of race/ethnicity on the individuals’ survival and neurological recovery within the first year after tSCI.
This retrospective cohort study included all 306 cases enrolled in the NASCIS-1, who were grouped into (a) African Americans (n=84), (b) non-Hispanic whites (n=159), and (c) other races/ethnicities that included Hispanics (n=60) and Asians (n=3). Outcome measures included survival and neurological recovery (as assessed using the NASCIS motor, and pinprick and light-touch sensory scores) within the first year post-tSCI. Data analyses of neurological recovery were adjusted for major potential confounders.
There were 39 females and 267 males with a mean age of 31 years who mostly sustained cervical severe tSCI after vehicular accidents or falls. The three groups were comparable regarding sex distribution, level and severity of tSCI, level of consciousness at admission, and total received dose of methylprednisolone. However, African Americans were significantly older than non-Hispanic white individuals (P=0.0238). African Americans and individuals of other races/ethnicities had tSCI with open wounds caused by missile and water-related accidents more often than non-Hispanic white individuals (P<0.0001). However, survival rates within the first year post-tSCI were statistically comparable among the three groups (P=0.3191). Among the survivors, there was no statistically significant difference among the three groups regarding motor, and pinprick and light-touch sensory recovery (P>0.0500).
The results of this study suggest that the epidemiology of tSCI might vary depending upon the individual’s race/ethnicity. Nevertheless, race/ethnicity did not influence survival rate or neurological recovery within first year post-tSCI.
