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objective.To identify the predictors for morality of elderly patients with cervical spine injury(CSI)based on available evidence in the literature.Background.As an ageing population generally faced,elderly individuals are often active and consequently at the risk for CSl with high mortality.The resuIts of studies identifying these predictors often are inconclusive or even connicting.These predictorsnave neither been well identified or summarised.This systematic review was performed to identified the predictors for mortality in elderly patients with CSI.Methods.Non-interventional studies evaluating the predictors for mortality of elderly populatlon with CSI were searched in Medline,Embase,Sciencedirect and OVID database(all to May 2012).Only observational studies with eligible data were included.Quality of included studies were assessed by a modified quality assessment tool,whlch was previously designed for observational study.The effects of studies were comblned with the study quality score using a model of best-evidence synthesis.Results.23 observational studies involving 2325 patients were included.These articles published between 1993 to 2011.According to the quality assessment criteria for included studies,8 studies were deemed as high quality studies,11 as moderate quality studies,and 4 as low quality studies.There were strong evidence for 3predlctors,1ncluding pre-existing comorbidities(PECs),spinal cord injury(sci)and age.We also identified 3 moderate evidence,7 limited evidence monality predictors and only one conflicting evidence predictor.Conclusion.Whilst there is no conclusive evidence for mortality of elderly patients with CSI,these data provide evidence to guide the physician or surgeon and develop a optimal strategy of treatment.Special attention should be paid to the 3 strong evidence predictors.Further studies were still required to evaluate the effects of these above predictors.