Posters
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 1)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 2)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 3)
Faculty
Academic Level (Author 4)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 5)
Medical Student
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Clinical Science
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: An estimated 60% of people that suffer a spinal cord injury (SCI) have a co-occurring traumatic brain injury (TBI), with cervical level injuries having the greatest comorbidity. Following an accident, diagnosis of TBI may be missed as emergency responders prioritize the spinal injury. Early recognition of brain involvement in a patient with a traumatic SCI is crucial, as delayed treatment may cause irreversible neurological impairment such as deficits in concentration, memory, and learning. In this study, we analyzed the comorbidity of TBI and SCI in Texas, and the related demographics and injury characteristics. We aimed to increase awareness of a dual diagnosis for earlier intervention and improved outcomes.
Methods: We utilized the Texas Department of State Health Services trauma data from 2019 through the end of 2022. Individuals with both SCI and TBI, and their causes were obtained using ICD-10 diagnosis codes of S14, S24, S34, T093, and T913. We pulled various demographics from the dataset including age, sex, and ethnicity, as well as other important patient characteristics such as payments methods, ED and hospital disposition, and Glasgow coma scores. Statistical analyses were performed on R programming software using chi square analysis and Dunn's test with Benjamini-Hochberg adjustment.
Results: Overall, we identified 454 TBI/SCI cases in our dataset (11.2% total SCI population). There was increased TBI frequency in male SCI patients. Among SCI patients, young adults through middle age (18-50) had increased frequency of TBI whereas teens (13-17) and elderly (above 80) had decreased frequency of TBI. Of the ethnicities analyzed in our study sample, Whites (44.5%), Hispanics (32.7%), and Blacks (18.4%) made up the majority while Asians, Natives, and Others made up the remaining 4-5%. Motor vehicle accidents (54.9%) were by far the most common cause of SCI and TBI in our study. Private Insurance (29.2%) and Self-Pay (28.5%) payment methods were most common. Most individuals seen in the ED were disposed to the ICU (60%) whereas most individuals seen in the hospital were disposed to inpatient rehab (28.3%) or home without services (28.1%). Most individuals had a Glasgow coma score of 3 (40.4%) or 15 (33%). Most SCI injuries consisted of cervical (65%) followed by thoracic (19%) which had significantly lower expected GCS (z = -2.6) compared to lumbar injuries.
Conclusion: The extensive prevalence of dual spinal cord and traumatic brain injury, especially in cervical injuries, suggests that hospitals should move toward screening for TBI in SCI as a standard practice in cervical SCI patients to better manage the injuries and prevent further harm in patients. Our results may be used to educate, especially at-risk individuals, on the risk of SCI and TBI based on various demographics and characteristics. Physicians and other health care workers may also use these results to improve their awareness of these at-risk populations.
Recommended Citation
Martin, Blake C.; Garcia Valdez, Kevin; Salinas, Daniel; Bonilla, Paul; Elizondo, Victoria; Murambadoro, Anesu Karen; and Baker, Kelsey, "Dual Burden: Analyzing the Co-Occurrence of Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injuries in Texas" (2025). Research Symposium. 89.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/posters/89
Included in
Dual Burden: Analyzing the Co-Occurrence of Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injuries in Texas
Background: An estimated 60% of people that suffer a spinal cord injury (SCI) have a co-occurring traumatic brain injury (TBI), with cervical level injuries having the greatest comorbidity. Following an accident, diagnosis of TBI may be missed as emergency responders prioritize the spinal injury. Early recognition of brain involvement in a patient with a traumatic SCI is crucial, as delayed treatment may cause irreversible neurological impairment such as deficits in concentration, memory, and learning. In this study, we analyzed the comorbidity of TBI and SCI in Texas, and the related demographics and injury characteristics. We aimed to increase awareness of a dual diagnosis for earlier intervention and improved outcomes.
Methods: We utilized the Texas Department of State Health Services trauma data from 2019 through the end of 2022. Individuals with both SCI and TBI, and their causes were obtained using ICD-10 diagnosis codes of S14, S24, S34, T093, and T913. We pulled various demographics from the dataset including age, sex, and ethnicity, as well as other important patient characteristics such as payments methods, ED and hospital disposition, and Glasgow coma scores. Statistical analyses were performed on R programming software using chi square analysis and Dunn's test with Benjamini-Hochberg adjustment.
Results: Overall, we identified 454 TBI/SCI cases in our dataset (11.2% total SCI population). There was increased TBI frequency in male SCI patients. Among SCI patients, young adults through middle age (18-50) had increased frequency of TBI whereas teens (13-17) and elderly (above 80) had decreased frequency of TBI. Of the ethnicities analyzed in our study sample, Whites (44.5%), Hispanics (32.7%), and Blacks (18.4%) made up the majority while Asians, Natives, and Others made up the remaining 4-5%. Motor vehicle accidents (54.9%) were by far the most common cause of SCI and TBI in our study. Private Insurance (29.2%) and Self-Pay (28.5%) payment methods were most common. Most individuals seen in the ED were disposed to the ICU (60%) whereas most individuals seen in the hospital were disposed to inpatient rehab (28.3%) or home without services (28.1%). Most individuals had a Glasgow coma score of 3 (40.4%) or 15 (33%). Most SCI injuries consisted of cervical (65%) followed by thoracic (19%) which had significantly lower expected GCS (z = -2.6) compared to lumbar injuries.
Conclusion: The extensive prevalence of dual spinal cord and traumatic brain injury, especially in cervical injuries, suggests that hospitals should move toward screening for TBI in SCI as a standard practice in cervical SCI patients to better manage the injuries and prevent further harm in patients. Our results may be used to educate, especially at-risk individuals, on the risk of SCI and TBI based on various demographics and characteristics. Physicians and other health care workers may also use these results to improve their awareness of these at-risk populations.
