Predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis in women with spinal cord injury

Chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with an increase in risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In the general population, atherosclerosis in women occurs later than in men and usually presents differently. Associations between risk factors and incidence of CVD have not been studied in women with SCI.

To determine which risk factors for CVD are associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a common indicator of atherosclerosis, in women with SCI.

One hundred and twenty-two females older than 18 years with traumatic SCI at least 2 years prior to entering the study were evaluated. Participants were asymptomatic and without evidence of CVD. Exclusion criteria were acute illness, overt heart disease, diabetes, and treatment with cardiac drugs, lipid-lowering medication, or antidiabetic agents. Measures for all participants were age, race, smoking status, level and completeness of injury, duration of injury, body mass index, serum lipids, fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and ultrasonographic measurements of CIMT. Hierarchical multiple linear regression was conducted to predict CIMT from demographic and physiologic variables.

Several variables were significantly correlated with CIMT during univariate analyses, including glucose, hemoglobin A1c, age, and race/ethnicity; but only age was significant in the hierarchical regression analysis.

Our data indicate the importance of CVD in women with SCI.