Citation

Krueger H, Noonan VK, Trenaman LM, Joshi P, Rivers CS. Chronic Dis. Inj. Can. 2013; 33(3): 113-122.

Affiliation

University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; H. Krueger & Associates Inc., Delta, British Columbia, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Health Canada)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

23735450

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to estimate the current lifetime economic burden of traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) in Canada from a societal perspective, including both direct and indirect costs, using an incidence-based approach.

METHODS: Available resource use and cost information for complete/incomplete tetraplegia and paraplegia was applied to the estimated annual incidence of tSCI, by severity, in Canada.

RESULTS: The estimated lifetime economic burden per individual with tSCI ranges from $1.5 million for incomplete paraplegia to $3.0 million for complete tetraplegia. The annual economic burden associated with 1389 new persons with tSCI surviving their initial hospitalization is estimated at $2.67 billion.

CONCLUSION: While the number of injuries per year in Canada is relatively small, the annual economic burden is substantial.

KEYWORDS: economic burden, morbidity, mortality, traumatic spinal cord injury

Language: en