Motor Vehicle Mismatch-Related Spinal Injury

Abstract

Background/Objective: Motor vehicle collision (MVC)-related spinal cord injury (SCI) is the mostprevalent etiology of SCI. Few studies have defined SCI risk factors. Vehicle mismatch occurs in 2-vehicleMVCs in which there are significant differences in vehicle weight, stiffness, and height. This study examinedSCI risk and vehicle mismatch.

Methods: A matched case-control study using the 1995 to 2003 National Automotive Sampling System(NASS). Study subjects were identified from 2-vehicle MVCs. Cases were occupants who had suffereda cervical, thoracic, or lumbar SCI. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (Cis) were calculated.

Results: There were 101,682 cases of SCI matched to 805,091 controls. Occupants of passenger vehiclesinvolved in MVCs with a light truck or van (LTV) were at increased risk for SCI (OR= 1.87, 95% Cl= 1.07-3.24) and this risk was greatest for thoracic SCI (OR= 5.09, 95% Cl= 2.33-11.13). In addition, occupants ofL TVs involved in MVCs with passenger vehicles were at significant increased risk for cervical (OR= 1. 39) andlumbar (OR= 2.65) SCI; and occupants of LTVs involved in MVCs with other LTVs were at increased risk ofany SCI (OR= 2.02, 95% Cl= 1.52-2.69). For these subjects, significant increased risks were seen for all spineregions: cervical (OR= 1.41), thoracic (OR= 2.86), and lumbar (OR= 2.38).

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that occupants of passenger vehicles are at increased SCI riskwhen involved in 2-vehicle MVCs with L TVs; and that occupants of L TVs are at increased SCI risk, regardless