Abstract
Objective:
To investigate: (1) the course of coronary heart disease risk factors (lipid profiles and body mass index (BMI)) in the first five years after discharge from inpatient spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation and (2) the association between lifestyle (physical activity, self-care related to fitness, smoking, alcohol, body mass and low-fat diet) and coronary heart disease risk factors during that period.
Design:
Prospective cohort study.
Participants/methods:
Individuals with SCI (N=130). Total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and BMI were determined at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and 1 and 5 years after discharge. Using multilevel regression models, the effects of lifestyle (drinking alcohol, smoking, active lifestyle and self-care) on the lipid profiles and BMI were determined.
Results:
After correction for lesion and personal characteristics, no changes in lipid profiles in the five years after discharge were seen, whereas the BMI increased significantly with 1.8 kg m−2. A high percentage was at risk of cardiovascular disease due to high BMI (63–75%) or HDL (66–95%). The individuals who indicated to maintain their fitness level as good as possible and the individuals with a low BMI showed better lipid profiles. Individuals with a more active lifestyle showed higher HDL levels. Individuals who avoid smoking showed a 1.5 kg m−2 higher BMI.
Conclusion:
Lipid profiles seem to stabilize in the years after discharge from inpatient SCI rehabilitation, whereas the BMI increased. Lifestyle factors associated with a favorable lipid profile and BMI could be identified.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank all the participants, the eight participating rehabilitation centers and especially the research assistants for collecting all the data: Sacha van Langeveld (De Hoogstraat, Utrecht), Annelieke Niezen/Peter Luthart (Rehabilitation Center Amsterdam), Marijke Schuitemaker (Het Roessingh, Enschede), Karin Postma/Rogier Broeksteeg/Jan Kamberg (Rijndam Revalidatiecentrum, Rotterdam), Jos Bloemen (Hoensbroeck Revalidatiecentrum, Hoensbroek), Hennie Rijken (Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen), Ferry Woldring (Beatrixoord, Haren) and Linda Valent (Heliomare, Wijk aan Zee). ZON-Mw Rehabilitation program, grant no. 1435.0003 and no. 1435.0025.
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de Groot, S., Post, M., Snoek, G. et al. Longitudinal association between lifestyle and coronary heart disease risk factors among individuals with spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord 51, 314–318 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.2012.153
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.2012.153
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