OBJECTIVE: A frequent cause of mortality in spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI&D) is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Obesity and high blood pressure (BP) are modifiable risk factors for CVD. DESIGN: Retrospective review of clinical and administrative data for 7959 veterans with SCI&D. Data elements included height, weight, blood pressure, demographics, and level of injury. Analyses included descriptive statistics and generalized logistic regressions. RESULTS: Twenty percent of veterans were obese according to their body mass index (BMI), and 33% were overweight; 22% had high BP (> or = 140/90 mm Hg). Because BMI underestimates obesity in SCI&D, adjusted BMIs for overweight (23-27 kg/m2) and obesity (28+ kg/m2) indicate that those overweight increased to 37%, and 31% were obese. Veterans ages 50-64 or who had paraplegia were more likely to be overweight and obese than others; being white or age 65+ was associated with a higher likelihood of being overweight. Veterans who were overweight or obese, black, older (age 50+), and paraplegic were more likely to have higher blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity and high BP rates were lower for veterans with SCI&D than the general population. However, because BMI underestimates body adiposity in SCI&D, obesity is likely a much more prevalent problem in this population and warrants attention.
OBJECTIVE: A frequent cause of mortality in spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI&D) is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Obesity and high blood pressure (BP) are modifiable risk factors for CVD. DESIGN: Retrospective review of clinical and administrative data for 7959 veterans with SCI&D. Data elements included height, weight, blood pressure, demographics, and level of injury. Analyses included descriptive statistics and generalized logistic regressions. RESULTS: Twenty percent of veterans were obese according to their body mass index (BMI), and 33% were overweight; 22% had high BP (> or = 140/90 mm Hg). Because BMI underestimates obesity in SCI&D, adjusted BMIs for overweight (23-27 kg/m2) and obesity (28+ kg/m2) indicate that those overweight increased to 37%, and 31% were obese. Veterans ages 50-64 or who had paraplegia were more likely to be overweight and obese than others; being white or age 65+ was associated with a higher likelihood of being overweight. Veterans who were overweight or obese, black, older (age 50+), and paraplegic were more likely to have higher blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS:Obesity and high BP rates were lower for veterans with SCI&D than the general population. However, because BMI underestimates body adiposity in SCI&D, obesity is likely a much more prevalent problem in this population and warrants attention.
Authors: Mark S Nash; Suzanne L Groah; David R Gater; Trevor A Dyson-Hudson; Jesse A Lieberman; Jonathan Myers; Sunil Sabharwal; Allen J Taylor Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2019-06-10 Impact factor: 1.985
Authors: Mark S Nash; Suzanne L Groah; David R Gater; Trevor A Dyson-Hudson; Jesse A Lieberman; Jonathan Myers; Sunil Sabharwal; Allen J Taylor Journal: Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil Date: 2018
Authors: Lisa A Beck; Jeffry L Lamb; Elizabeth J Atkinson; Lisa-Ann Wuermser; Shreyasee Amin Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2013-11-26 Impact factor: 1.985
Authors: Noelle E Carlozzi; Denise Fyffe; Kel G Morin; Rachel Byrne; David S Tulsky; David Victorson; Jin-Shei Lai; Jill M Wecht Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2013-03-14 Impact factor: 3.966