@article{ref1,
title="The impact of COVID-19 and associated lockdowns on traumatic spinal cord injury incidence: a population based study",
journal="Spinal Cord",
year="2023",
author="McCaughey, Euan J. and Ho, Frederick K. and Mackay, Daniel F. and Pell, Jill P. and Humburg, Peter and Purcell, Mariel",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="STUDY DESIGN: Natural experiment OBJECTIVES: To determine whether COVID-19 restrictions were associated with changes in the incidence of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in Scotland. SETTING: The Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit (QENSIU), the sole provider of treatment for TSCI in Scotland. <br><br>METHODS: Time series analysis of all admissions for TSCI between 1st January 2015 and 31st August 2022. <br><br>RESULTS: Over the 8-year study period, 745 patients were admitted to the QENSIU with a TSCI. Interrupted time series analysis showed that level 3 and 4 COVID-19 lockdown restrictions (the most severe levels) were associated with lower incidence of TSCI (RR 0.63, CI% CI 0.47, 0.82, p < 0.001). The associations were stronger in people aged over 45 (additive interaction p = 0.001), males (additive interaction p = 0.01) and non-tetraplegia (additive interaction p = 0.002). The incidence of TSCI due to deliberate self-harm was higher (0.41 versus 0.23 per month) during restrictions. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Overall, TSCI incidence reduced in Scotland when lockdowns were implemented, presumably due to lower engagement in risky activities. The increase in TSCI due to deliberate self-harm may reflect increased mental health problems and social isolation and should be anticipated and targeted in future pandemics. The change in incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic may have an economic impact and see a temporary reduction in the burden on health and social care. The results of this study will be useful for resource planning in future pandemics.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1362-4393",
doi="10.1038/s41393-023-00939-6",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41393-023-00939-6"
}