Burden of Cardiovascular Risk in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury and Its Association With Rehabilitation Outcomes: Results From the Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Cohort

Abstract

Objectives: The aims of the study are to determine the cardiovascular risk burden rehabilitation discharge and to explore the association between recovery during rehabilitation and cardiovascular disease risk profile.

Methods: We included adults without cardiovascular disease admitted for rehabilitation. We evaluated rehabilitation outcomes on admission and discharge. Cardiovascular disease risk profile was assessed by Framingham risk score, high-density lipoprotein, and fasting glucose level.

Results: We analyzed data from 706 participants (69.6% men) with a median age of 53.5 yrs. The median time since injury was 14 days, and the admission length was 5.2 months. Majority had paraplegia (53.3%) and motor incomplete injury (53.7%). One third of the cohort had high cardiovascular risk profile before discharge. At discharge, poorer anthropometric measures were associated with higher Framingham risk score and lower high-density lipoprotein levels. Individuals with higher forced vital capacity (>2.72 l) and peak expiratory flow (>3.4 l/min) had 0.16 mmol/l and 0.14 mmol/l higher high-density lipoprotein compared with those with lower respiratory function, respectively. Individuals with higher mobility score (>12.5) and functional independence score (>74) had 0.21 and 0.18 mmol/l higher high-density lipoprotein compared with those with lower scores.

Conclusions: There is high cardiometabolic syndrome burden and cardiovascular disease risk profile upon rehabilitation discharge. Higher respiratory function, mobility, and overall independence were associated with better cardiovascular disease risk profile, although with study design limitations and short follow-up. Future studies should explore whether rehabilitation outcomes could be used to prioritize screening.

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Cme objectives: Upon reading this journal article, the reader is expected to: (1) Determine the burden of cardiometabolic disease in the early phase of spinal cord injury (SCI); (2) Differentiate the proposed SCI cutoff for high-risk obesity from the able-bodied population; and (3) Increase physicians' acuity for detecting cardiometabolic disease in their practice.

Level: Advanced.

Accreditation: The Association of Academic Physiatrists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.The Association of Academic Physiatrists designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.