Data on spinal injuries--Part I. Collection and analysis of 352 consecutive admissions.

A prospective system of data collection, using computer storage, has been developed in the Spinal Injuries Unit, Austin Hospital. Three hundred and fifty-two consecutive admissions to the Unit between 1 July 1978 and 31 December 1982 are analysed, and this epidemiological data compared with other reports. Over 92% of the admissions were the result of spinal cord trauma and the balance due to a variety of non-traumatic causes. A high incidence of young males injured in road accidents, predominantly from motor cars, and lesser numbers from sporting, occupational and domestic accidents is noted. A high proportion of country accidents and a disproportionately high number of people who live in country areas indicates the need for greater concentration of preventative measures to rural areas. The study has confirmed the usefulness of such a sophisticated data collection system to collect, at relatively low cost, useful epidemiological data on a specific disability group. The system will help to plan treatment programmes, as well as preventative measures, for the future.