Inflammatory C-reactive protein and cytokine levels in asymptomatic people with chronic spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relation between serologic markers of information and clinical characteristics of people with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Academic medical center SCI outpatient clinic.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 37 men with chronic SCI and 10 healthy control subjects.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and C-reactive protein (CRP).


RESULTS
The following results achieved statistical significance at P less than .05. Asymptomatic chronic SCI patients differed from referent controls with respect to serum CRP levels but not IL-6 or TNF-alpha. In SCI patients, higher levels of CRP correlated negatively with hemoglobin and albumin levels. A longer time since injury correlated with lower TNF-alpha values, whereas higher TNF-alpha levels correlated with higher serum albumin. Pressure ulcers and indwelling urinary catheters were associated with higher mean levels of CRP but not of the cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6. Intermittent urinary catheterization was associated with lower levels of CRP when compared with other methods of bladder management.


CONCLUSIONS
Asymptomatic people with long-term SCI, especially those with indwelling urinary catheters, showed serologic evidence of a systemic inflammatory state. There was no evidence of an elevation in proinflammatory cytokines. Detection of an ongoing systemic inflammatory response in apparently healthy people with indwelling urinary catheters and small skin ulcers further supports the aggressive pursuit of catheter-free voiding options and pressure ulcer healing.
Frost
Frederick
F
Cleveland Clinic Foundation, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. frostf@ccf.org
Roach
Mary Jo
MJ
Kushner
Irving
I
Schreiber
Peter
P
D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000097:blood*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000097:blood
D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein