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Cardiovascular disease and related risk factors in adults with cerebral palsy: a systematic review

Patrick G Mcphee1,2, Everett A Claridge1,2, Stephen G Noorduyn2

  • 1School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|September 18, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Adults with cerebral palsy (CP) have higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and related mortality. Overweight and obesity are significant risk factors, necessitating further research into prevalence and management in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Neurology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cerebral palsy (CP) is a complex neurological disorder affecting movement and posture.
  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant health concern, with risk factors and prevalence varying across different populations.
  • Limited literature exists on CVD prevalence, risk factors, and mortality specifically within the adult population with CP.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and summarize existing literature on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence in adults with cerebral palsy (CP).
  • To identify common risk factors for CVD among adults with CP.
  • To examine CVD-related mortality rates in adults with CP compared to the general population.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature review was conducted across major databases: PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and CINAHL.
  • Studies included adults aged 18 years and older diagnosed with CP.
  • Data were descriptively reported, and methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for observational studies.

Main Results:

  • Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria; only one directly reported CVD prevalence, showing higher rates in adults with CP (15.1%) versus controls (9.1%).
  • Overweight and obesity were the most frequently identified risk factors for CVD in adults with CP.
  • Five studies indicated elevated CVD-related and circulatory system-related mortality in adults with CP, occurring at younger ages than in the general population.

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence of CVD and the risk of CVD-related death appear to be elevated in adults with cerebral palsy.
  • Current research is fragmented, characterized by small study sizes and geographical limitations.
  • Further investigation is crucial to comprehensively understand CVD risk factors, particularly overweight/obesity, in adults with CP.
Abstract

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