title: C-Reactive protein in adults with chronic spinal cord injury: increased chronic inflammation in tetraplegia vs paraplegia.
abstract: METHODS
  Cross-sectional.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In community-dwelling adults with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI), to (1) quantify C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk; (2) determine factors associated with CRP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined CVD risk factors in 69 participants. Measurements included length, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, percent fat mass (bioelectrical impedance analysis) and fasting blood parameters (high-sensitivity CRP, lipids, insulin, glucose, insulin resistance by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean CRP of the group was 3.37+/-2.86 mg-l(-1), consistent with the American Heart Association (AHA) definition of high risk of CVD. CRP was 74% higher in persons with tetraplegia (4.31+/-2.97) than those with paraplegia (2.47+/-2.47 mg l(-1), P=0.002), consistent with high CVD risk. Participants with high CRP (3.1-9.9 mg l(-1)) had greater waist circumference, BMI, percent fat mass and HOMA values than those with lower CRP (< or =3.0 mg l(-1), all P<0.05). LogCRP was independently correlated with waist circumference (r=0.612), logTriglycerides (r=0.342), logInsulin (r=0.309) and logHOMA (r=0.316, all P<0.05). Only level of lesion and waist circumference remained significantly associated with logCRP when variables with significant bivariate correlations were included in multiple regression analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mean CRP values in this sample of adults with chronic SCI were consistent with the AHA classification of high CVD risk, especially those of persons with tetraplegia. Level of lesion and waist circumference are independently associated with CRP in this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. abuchhol@uoguelph.ca
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Buchholz
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Martin Ginis
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein