Retrospective analysis of the risk factors for secondary pulmonary infection after cervical spinal cord injury / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze retrospectively the risk factors for pulmonary infection after traumatic cervical spinal cord injury.Methods:The 154 patients with a cervical spinal cord injury studied included 120 with a pulmonary infection and 34 uninfected controls. Regressions were evaluated using data on their genders, ages, the cause of injury, affected segments, the neurological level of the injury (NLI), and the presence of a vertebral fracture or dislocation.Results:Age, complete injury, NLI at C 1 to C 4, and an injury-to-treatment time of more than 8 hours were found to be independent risk factors for secondary pulmonary infection. Conclusion:Elderly spinal cord injury patients, with a complete injury, an NLI between C 1 and C 4 or an injury-to-treatment time of more than 8 hours have a higher risk of pulmonary infection.