Prevalence of obesity and high blood pressure in veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders: a retrospective review.
OBJECTIVE
A frequent cause of mortality in spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI&D) is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Obesity and high blood pressure (BP) are modifiable risk factors for CVD.


METHODS
Retrospective review of clinical and administrative data for 7959 veterans with SCI&D. Data elements included height, weight, blood pressure, demographics, and level of injury. Analyses included descriptive statistics and generalized logistic regressions.


RESULTS
Twenty percent of veterans were obese according to their body mass index (BMI), and 33% were overweight; 22% had high BP (> or = 140/90 mm Hg). Because BMI underestimates obesity in SCI&D, adjusted BMIs for overweight (23-27 kg/m2) and obesity (28+ kg/m2) indicate that those overweight increased to 37%, and 31% were obese. Veterans ages 50-64 or who had paraplegia were more likely to be overweight and obese than others; being white or age 65+ was associated with a higher likelihood of being overweight. Veterans who were overweight or obese, black, older (age 50+), and paraplegic were more likely to have higher blood pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
Obesity and high BP rates were lower for veterans with SCI&D than the general population. However, because BMI underestimates body adiposity in SCI&D, obesity is likely a much more prevalent problem in this population and warrants attention.
Weaver
Frances M
FM
From the Midwest Center for Health Services & Policy Research and Research, Hines VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois 60141, USA.
Collins
Eileen G
EG
Kurichi
Jibby
J
Miskevics
Scott
S
Smith
Bridget
B
Rajan
Suparna
S
Gater
David
D
D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D050177:Overweight; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000150:complications*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*