Article

OBJECTIVE: To assess the need for intervention on cardio-vascular disease risks
in persons with paraplegia according to: (i) two multifactorial risk models; and
(ii) these models in combination with the additional risk of overweight/obesity.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SUBJECTS: A total of 134 out of 153 persons, comprising
more than 80% of a regional prevalence population with traumatic paraplegia
(American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A-C) of minimum one year
duration. METHODS: Participants were screened for cardiovascular disease risk
using two multifactorial risk models: the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation and
the Framingham Risk Equation. Risk factors included were: age, gender, systolic
blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, smoking, total cholesterol,
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol/total cholesterol
ratio. In addition, overweight/obesity was assessed by body mass index. RESULTS:
Twenty-seven percent to 36% of the cohort was eligible for cardiovascular disease
risk intervention, depending on the risk model used. When overweight/obesity
(spinal cord injury adjusted cut-score body mass index >/= 22) was also
considered, over 80% of the participants qualified for intervention. CONCLUSION:
Almost one-third of persons with paraplegia were eligible for cardiovascular
disease risk intervention according to authoritative assessment tools. The number
in need of intervention was dramatically increased when overweight/obesity as a
cardiovascular disease risk was considered.

Langue : ANGLAIS