Incidencia del trauma raquimedular en adultos mayores en el Ecuador

Aldo Arturo Lorenty-Nolivos; Nicole Nayeli San Martin-Noboa; Sophia Fernanda Delgado-Velasco; Jimmy Fernando Yaguana-Torres; Cristian David Cevallos-Mendoza

Authors

Lorenty-Nolivos Aldo Arturo Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil. Guayaquil, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2052-8315
San Martin-Noboa Nicole Nayeli Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil. Guayaquil, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3536-459X
Delgado-Velasco Sophia Fernanda Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil. Guayaquil, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0769-5987
Yaguana-Torres Jimmy Fernando Investigador Independiente. Guayaquil, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2743-5605
Cevallos-Mendoza Cristian David Investigador Independiente. Guayaquil, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8908-7005

Keywords:

Spinal cord injury, falls, cervical spine, frailty, rehabilitation

Abstract

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46296/gt.v8i16.0308

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) in the elderly population represents a global epidemiological shift, as low-energy injury mechanisms, primarily falls, become the leading cause of severe cervical spinal cord injury in patients ≥65 years of age. In Ecuador, there is no national registry for this condition; however, hospital series and reports from the regional literature show an increasing trend in cervical SCI associated with age-related biomechanical factors such as osteoporosis, degenerative spinal stenosis, sarcopenia, gait disturbances, and clinical frailty. Mortality is higher compared to younger adults, with respiratory, infectious, cardiovascular, and neurocognitive (delirium) complications predominating, leading to accelerated functional decline, disability, and prolonged dependence. Mortality is higher compared to younger patients, with respiratory, infectious, cardiovascular, and neurocognitive complications (delirium) predominating, leading to accelerated functional decline, disability, and prolonged dependence. The lack of age stratification and underdiagnosis limit epidemiological estimates and hinder the design of preventive policies and multisectoral public-private interventions. Therefore, it is concluded that it is necessary to strengthen national geriatric spinal cord injury (SCI) registries and establish early rehabilitation preventive measures focused on frailty and fall risk, which will allow for a clearer understanding of the true incidence and improve functional outcomes in older Ecuadorian adults.

Keywords: Spinal cord injury, falls, cervical spine, frailty, rehabilitation.

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