Table 1 Characteristics of adult hospitalized acute spinal trauma patients in Taiwan, 2000–2003.

No., Mean

(%), S.D.

No., Mean

(%), S.D.

p

value

No., Mean

(%), S.D.

General

   Enrolled subjects

25071

(48.5)

26579

(51.5)

51641

(100.0)

   Length of stay (days)

9.2

9.8

7.8

7.6

<0.001

8.5

8.8

   Medical cost ($NT)

51249.1

93168.0

34884.7

62696.8

<0.001

42829.4

79394.1

Age (years)

   20–39

7740

(64.9) ^a

4194

(35.1)

<0.001

11934

(23.1)

   40–59

8036

(55.2)^a

6532

(44.8)

14568

(28.2)

   ≥ 60

9295

(37.0)^a

15844

(63.0)

25139

(48.7)

ICD-9 codes ^d

   805.X

16434

(65.5) ^b

20985

(79.0)^b

<0.001

37419

(72.5)

   806.X

3374

(13.5)

3065

(11.5)

6439

(12.5)

   952.X

5263

(21.0)

2520

(9.5)

7783

(15.1)

Location of lesion

   Cervical spine

6791

(27.8)^b

2860

(10.8)^b

<0.001

9831

(19.0)^c

   Thoracic spine

4316

(17.2)

7508

(28.3)

<0.001

11824

(22.9)^c

   Lumbar spine

13482

(53.8)

15972

(60.1)

<0.001

29454

(57.0)^c

   Sacral spine

860

(3.4)

2164

(8.1)

<0.001

3024

(5.9)^c

Spinal surgery performed

   Yes

4809

(19.2) ^b

4115

(15.5)^b

<0.001

8924

(17.3)

   No

20262

(80.8)

22455

(84.5)

42717

(82.7)