Article

OBJECTIVE: To assess risk factors for cardiovascular disease at different body
mass index values in persons with wheelchair-dependent paraplegia after spinal
cord injuries. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: A total of 135
individuals, age range 18-79 years, with chronic (>/= 1 year) post-traumatic
paraplegia. METHODS: Body mass index was stratified into 6 categorical groups.
Cardiovascular disease risk factors for hypertension, diabetes mellitus and a
serum lipid profile were analysed and reported by body mass index category.
RESULTS: More than 80% of the examined participants had at least one
cardiovascular disease risk factor irrespective of body mass index level.
Hypertension was highly prevalent, especially in men. Dyslipidaemia was common at
all body mass index categories in both men and women. CONCLUSION: Higher body
mass index values tended to associate with more hypertension and diabetes
mellitus, whereas dyslipidaemia was prevalent across all body mass index
categories. Studies that intervene to reduce weight and or percentage body fat
should be performed to determine the effect on reducing modifiable cardiovascular
disease risk factors.

Langue : ANGLAIS