Key result
Among individuals with chronic spinal cord injury meeting diagnostic criteria, 43.5% were untreated for dyslipidemia, 50.0% for hypertension, and 28.6% for diabetes.
Cross-Sectional (n=91)
No
There is a high prevalence of untreated cardiovascular disease risk factors and poor adherence to diagnostic and treatment guidelines for dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury.
High untreated CVD risk prevalence in chronic SCI warrants enhanced screening; supports tailored guideline development and adherence research.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is currently the leading cause of mortality among individuals living with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). The purpose of this study is to: 1) Describe the prevalence of CVD risk factors including dyslipidemia (DYS), hypertension (HTN) and type II diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with chronic SCI; 2) Report the frequency of individuals recommended for diagnostic testing, as per current Canadian CVD diagnostic guidelines; and 3) Report the frequency of individuals receiving guideline-derived appropriate therapy for these risk factors. METHODS: Adults with a chronic, stable SCI (n = 91) were included in this study. Medical histories, current medications, blood serum analyses and blood pressures were collected and compared to current Canadian CVD diagnostic guidelines to assess for DYS, HTN and DM. RESULTS: Of the 81 participants with blood serum analyses, 10 (14.7%) of 23 (28.4%) individuals meeting diagnostic criteria for DYS were not taking appropriate statin medication and 2 (2.5%) of 7 (8.6%) individuals meeting diagnostic criteria for DM were not taking appropriate DM medication. Of the 91 participants having BP measurements, 13 (14.3%) of 26 (28.6%) individuals meeting diagnostic criteria for HTN were not taking appropriate BP medication. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to a high prevalence of CVD risk factors among individuals with chronic SCI, there is also evidence of poor adherence to diagnostic and treatment guidelines for DYS, HTN and DM. The study results highlight an important gap between the observed prevalence of disease and the low rates of screening and guideline adherence in the SCI population.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Chopra et al. (2016) conducted a cross-sectional in Chronic spinal cord injury (n=91). Cardiovascular disease risk factors (dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes) was evaluated on Proportion of individuals meeting diagnostic criteria for dyslipidemia, hypertension, or diabetes who were not receiving appropriate guideline-directed medical therapy. Among individuals with chronic spinal cord injury meeting diagnostic criteria, 43.5% were untreated for dyslipidemia, 50.0% for hypertension, and 28.6% for diabetes.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: