Current use of methylprednisolone for acute spinal cord injury in Poland: survey study

Purpose The controversial practice of methylprednisolone (MP) application in acute spinal cord injury (ASCI) is gradually decreasing. This is a survey study designed to assess the current use of MP in ASCI in Poland. Methods The questionnaire comprised of five questions was distributed among 251 spinal surgeons, members of the Polish Society of Spinal Surgery. One hundred and ten (43.8 %) responded, and data from 108 were included in the study. Results Majority of respondents (73.1 %) declared the use of MP in ASCI. Most of them (41.7 %) adhered to the NASCIS II protocol, and 24.1 % rather used the NASCIS III protocol. Predominant rationale for the use of steroids was fear of litigation (36.7 %), 30.4 % declared it is as an institutional standard, nearly one-third believed in the effectiveness of drug in improving neurological outcomes. The subgroup analyses revealed no statistically significant interaction for specialty, age, personal involvement in care and institutional case volume. Conclusions As opposed to the literature data from similar studies performed in other countries, the rate of use of MP in ASCI remains high.