The effect of dietary intervention on lipid profiles in individuals with spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a simple dietary intervention for individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) and moderately elevated total cholesterol.


METHODS
Baseline and follow-up serum lipid values were obtained on 222 persons with SCI. Eighty-six individuals with total cholesterol >200 mg/dL were referred for dietary consultation (group 1). The remainder with values <200 mg/dL and no consultation served as controls (group 2).


RESULTS
At average follow-up of 16 months, group 1 demonstrated significant declines in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), whereas group 2 demonstrated significant increases in total cholesterol. Triglyceride levels followed similar but nonsignificant patterns. There were no significant changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol for either group. In group 1, 17% had clinically significant reductions in total cholesterol to <200 mg/dL and 21% had reductions of LDL-C from >135 mg/dL to <135 mg/dL.


CONCLUSIONS
Dietary intervention should be an initial treatment for those with SCI and moderately elevated total cholesterol, with the expectation that approximately 20% will respond favorably.
Szlachcic
Y
Y
Department of Medicine, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, California 90242, USA.
Adkins
R H
RH
Adal
T
T
Yee
F
F
Bauman
W
W
Waters
R L
RL
D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000178:diet therapy*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*
D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D002784:Cholesterol