Shibahashi K, et al. - In this multi-center, retrospective cohort study, researchers determined the epidemiology, identified predictors of early mortality, and developed predictive models for traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). From 2004 to 2015, they identified adult (≥18 yrs) patients with SCI using a nationwide trauma registry—the Japan Trauma Data Bank. Investigators found that patient characteristics, etiology, and post-SCI outcomes significantly changed over the 12-year period. Eight prognostic factors [age, sex, Glasgow Coma Scale on arrival (GCS), hypotension on arrival, bradycardia on arrival, severe head injury, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and neurological severity of SCI] of early mortality were identified. A predictive model, including these factors, has shown excellent performance and might improve treatment strategies, healthcare resource allocation, and counselling.