This study systematically analyzed temporal trends in the burden of spinal cord injury (SCI) attributable to falls in China from 1990 to 2021, focusing on incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLD).
Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database, using publicly available national estimates of fall-related SCI in China from 1990 to 2021. Descriptive analyses were conducted to characterize changes in incidence, prevalence, and YLD. Temporal trends were further examined using Joinpoint regression and age-period-cohort (APC) models.
In 2021, the number of prevalent cases of fall-related SCI in China was estimated at 1 480 074, with 62 724 incident cases. The age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) was 80.21 per 100 000 population and the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) was 3.76 per 100 000 population. Total YLDs reached 397 472 years, corresponding to an age-standardized YLD rate (ASYR) of 21.74 per 100 000 population. Sex-based analysis showed a substantially higher disease burden in males than in females. Joinpoint regression indicated a modest increase in ASIR during 1995—2000 (APC=1.89), a marked decline during 2000—2005 (APC=-6.12), followed by a rapid increase during 2010—2021 (2010—2015: APC=5.90; 2015—2021: APC=4.59). Similarly, ASPR showed a slight increase during 1990—2001 (APC=0.55), a significant decline during 2001—2005 (APC=-8.58), and a renewed rapid increase during 2010—2021 (APC=5.08). YLDs remained relatively stable from 1990 to 2000, declined during 2000—2007 (APC=-9.94), and increased during 2010—2021 (APC=4.68). Overall trends were comparable between males and females. APC analysis revealed a pronounced increase in SCI risk with advancing age, while period and cohort effects fluctuated but showed an overall upward pattern, suggesting that economic development, improvements in healthcare, and population aging may jointly contribute to the increasing burden.
From 1990 to 2021, the disease burden of SCI in China has increased substantially, with males and older adults experiencing markedly higher risks than females and younger populations. Targeted public health strategies addressing population aging and risk management among high-risk groups are urgently needed to mitigate the long-term health and societal impacts of SCI.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |