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C-reactive protein, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance in individuals with spinal cord injury
Matthew Y Lee1, Jonathan Myers, Amy Hayes
1Spinal Cord Injury Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA. matthewylee@yahoo.com
Insights
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is elevated in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who have insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome, indicating increased cardiovascular disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Neurology
Background:
- High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a known cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk indicator.
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) populations may have unique cardiovascular risk profiles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between hsCRP and cardiovascular risk in individuals with SCI.
- To determine if hsCRP can predict elevated cardiac risk in the SCI population.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 93 individuals with SCI.
- Measured hsCRP, fasting lipids, insulin, glucose, and anthropometric data.
- Assessed insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome prevalence.
Main Results:
- Nearly a quarter of the SCI population exhibited metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance.
- Individuals with insulin resistance had significantly higher hsCRP levels (4.29 ± 3.25 mg/L) compared to those without (2.24 ± 2.02 mg/L).
- Elevated hsCRP correlated with high cardiovascular risk markers like severe dyslipidemia and Framingham Risk scores.
Conclusions:
- Elevated hsCRP in individuals with SCI is associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.
- hsCRP may serve as a clinically relevant marker for predicting cardiovascular risk in the SCI population.
Background/Objective:
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) has been shown to be indicative of elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We examined this blood marker in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) in order to determine its potential for predicting elevated cardiac risk.
Methods:
In a cross-sectional analysis, we examined the relationship between hsCRP and insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome among 93 individuals with SCI (50.2 +/- 13 years). Fasting lipids, insulin, glucose, plasma hsCRP, and anthropometric data were gathered from each subject. Comparisons were made with population reference values.
Results:
Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance were present in nearly one quarter of the SCI population (22.6%). Subjects with fasting insulin resistance had significantly higher mean hsCRP (4.29 +/- 3.25 mg/L) than those who were not insulin resistant (2.24 +/- 2.02) (P < 0.05). Moreover, hsCRP was significantly elevated in individuals who presented with high cardiovascular risk including severe dyslipidemia (> or = 4 abnormal lipid values) and Framingham Risk scores < or = 6 (P < 0.05 for both values). In addition, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance was mildly correlated with hsCRP (r = 0.33).
Conclusions:
In individuals with SCI who are insulin resistant and/or display components of the metabolic syndrome, hsCRP is elevated suggesting a clinically important association with cardiovascular risk in this population.
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