Original Article

Spinal Cord (2008) 46, 616–621; doi:10.1038/sc.2008.32; published online 15 April 2008

C-Reactive protein in adults with chronic spinal cord injury: increased chronic inflammation in tetraplegia vs paraplegia

A E Gibson1, A C Buchholz2, K A Martin Ginis3 and SHAPE-SCI Research Group4

  1. 1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
  2. 2Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
  3. 3Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Correspondence: Dr AC Buchholz, Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Room 326, Macdonald Stewart Hall, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1. E-mail: abuchhol@uoguelph.ca

4Amy E Latimer PhD, Queen's University, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Steven R Bray PhD, McMaster University, Department of Kinesiology, Hamilton Ontario, Canada; Catharine Craven MD, University of Toronto, Department of Medicine and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Keith C Hayes, PhD, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; Audrey L Hicks, PhD, McMaster University, Department of Kinesiology, Hamilton Ontario, Canada; Mary Ann McColl, PhD, Queen's University, Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Patrick J Potter, MD, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; Karen Smith, MD, Queen's University, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Dalton L Wolfe, PhD, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.

Received 3 September 2007; Revised 6 December 2007; Accepted 27 February 2008; Published online 15 April 2008.

Top

Abstract

Study design:

 

Cross-sectional.

Objectives:

 

In community-dwelling adults with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI), to (1) quantify C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk; (2) determine factors associated with CRP.

Setting:

 

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Methods:

 

We examined CVD risk factors in 69 participants. Measurements included length, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, percent fat mass (bioelectrical impedance analysis) and fasting blood parameters (high-sensitivity CRP, lipids, insulin, glucose, insulin resistance by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)).

Results:

 

Mean CRP of the group was 3.37plusminus2.86 mg-l-1, consistent with the American Heart Association (AHA) definition of high risk of CVD. CRP was 74% higher in persons with tetraplegia (4.31plusminus2.97) than those with paraplegia (2.47plusminus2.47 mg l-1, P=0.002), consistent with high CVD risk. Participants with high CRP (3.1–9.9 mg l-1) had greater waist circumference, BMI, percent fat mass and HOMA values than those with lower CRP (less than or equal to3.0 mg l-1, all P<0.05). LogCRP was independently correlated with waist circumference (r=0.612), logTriglycerides (r=0.342), logInsulin (r=0.309) and logHOMA (r=0.316, all P<0.05). Only level of lesion and waist circumference remained significantly associated with logCRP when variables with significant bivariate correlations were included in multiple regression analysis.

Conclusion:

 

Mean CRP values in this sample of adults with chronic SCI were consistent with the AHA classification of high CVD risk, especially those of persons with tetraplegia. Level of lesion and waist circumference are independently associated with CRP in this population.

Keywords:

C-reactive protein, spinal cord injury, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, SHAPE-SCI

Extra navigation

.

naturejobs

More science jobs
Post a job for free
ADVERTISEMENT