Prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors in people with long-term spinal cord injury living in the Netherlands

Improvement of quality of life after 2-month exoskeleton training in patients with chronic spinal cord injury

OBJECTIVE

To examine changes in quality of life (QoL) after an eight-week period of robotic exoskeleton training in a homogeneous group of patients with chronic complete spinal cord injury (SCI).

DESIGN

Prospective single-group pre-post study.

SETTING

Rehabilitation center.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with a chronic (>6 months) motor complete SCI (T1-L1).

INTERVENTION

Twenty-four training sessions with the ReWalk exoskeleton over an eight-week period.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

QoL, assessed with the sum score of the Short Form-36 with Walk Wheel modification (SF-36ww). Secondary outcome measures were the eight SF-36ww subdomains, satisfaction with bladder and bowel management, lower extremity joint passive range of motion (pROM), and lower extremity spasticity.

RESULTS

Twenty-one participants completed the training. QoL significantly improved after the training period (average SF-36 sum score 621 ± 90) compared to baseline (571 ± 133) (t(20)=-2.5, P=.02). Improvements were seen on the SF-36ww subdomains for pain (P=.003), social functioning (P=.03), mental health (P=.02), and general health perception (P=.01). Satisfaction with bladder management (range 1-5) improved from median 3 at baseline to 4 after exoskeleton training (P=0.01). No changes in satisfaction with bowel management (P=.11), pROM (hip-extension (P=.49), knee-extension (P=.36), ankle dorsiflexion (P=.69)), or spasticity (P=.94) were found.

CONCLUSION

Even in patients with chronic motor complete SCI and a relatively high level of QoL at baseline, a short-term exoskeleton training improved their QoL, pain and satisfaction with bladder management; findings that warrant further controlled studies in this specific SCI population.

Relationships between cardiovascular disease risk, neuropathic pain, mental health, and autonomic function in chronic spinal cord injury

STUDY DESIGN

Multicentre, cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

To determine if clinical measures of poor mental health (MH-) and neuropathic pain (NP) are related to increased CVD risk in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI), and further elucidate the relationships between CVD risk, autonomic function, NP, and MH-.

SETTING

Eight SCI rehabilitation centres in the Netherlands.

METHODS

Individuals (n = 257) with a traumatic, chronic (≥10 yrs) SCI, with age at injury between 18-35 years, completed a self-report questionnaire and a one-day visit to a rehabilitation centre for testing. CVD risk was calculated using Framingham risk score. NP was inferred using The Douleur Neuropathique 4 clinical examination, and MH- was assessed using the five-item Mental Health Inventory questionnaire. Cardiovascular autonomic function was determined from peak heart rate during maximal exercise (HRpeak).

RESULTS

There was a high prevalence of both NP (39%) and MH- (45%) following SCI. MH- was significantly correlated with an adverse CVD risk profile (r = 0.174; p = 0.01), increased the odds of adverse 30-year CVD risk by 2.2 (CI 0.92-2.81, p = 0.02), and is an important variable in determining CVD risk (importance=0.74, p = 0.05). Females (p = 0.05) and those with a higher HRpeak (p = 0.046) tended to be more likely to have NP.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical measures of MH-, but not NP, are important factors for increased CVD risk following SCI. NP tended to be more prevalent in those with more preserved cardiovascular autonomic function. The interrelationships between secondary consequences of SCI are complex and need further exploration.

The Diagnosis and Management of Cardiometabolic Risk and Cardiometabolic Syndrome after Spinal Cord Injury

Individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) commonly present with component risk factors for cardiometabolic risk and combined risk factors for cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS). These primary risk factors include obesity, dyslipidemia, dysglycemia/insulin resistance, and hypertension. Commonly referred to as "silent killers", cardiometabolic risk and CMS increase the threat of cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death after SCI. This narrative review will examine current data and the etiopathogenesis of cardiometabolic risk, CMS, and cardiovascular disease associated with SCI, focusing on pivotal research on cardiometabolic sequelae from the last five years. The review will also provide current diagnosis and surveillance criteria for cardiometabolic disorders after SCI, a novel obesity classification system based on percent total body fat, and lifestyle management strategies to improve cardiometabolic health.

Influence of severity and level of injury on the occurrence of complications during the subacute and chronic stage of traumatic spinal cord injury: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Secondary health conditions (SHCs) are long-term complications that frequently occur due to traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) and can negatively affect quality of life in this patient population. This study provides an overview of the associations between the severity and level of injury and the occurrence of SHCs in tSCI.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Embase that retrieved 44 studies on the influence of severity and/or level of injury on the occurrence of SHCs in the subacute and chronic phase of tSCI (from 3 months after trauma). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed.

RESULTS

In the majority of studies, patients with motor-complete tSCI (American Spinal Injury Association [ASIA] Impairment Scale [AIS] grade A or B) had a significantly increased occurrence of SHCs in comparison to patients with motor-incomplete tSCI (AIS grade C or D), such as respiratory and urogenital complications, musculoskeletal disorders, pressure ulcers, and autonomic dysreflexia. In contrast, an increased prevalence of pain was seen in patients with motor-incomplete injuries. In addition, higher rates of pulmonary infections, spasticity, and autonomic dysreflexia were observed in patients with tetraplegia. Patients with paraplegia more commonly suffered from hypertension, venous thromboembolism, and pain.

CONCLUSIONS

This review suggests that patients with a motor-complete tSCI have an increased risk of developing SHCs during the subacute and chronic stage of tSCI in comparison with patients with motor-incomplete tSCI. Future studies should examine whether systematic monitoring during rehabilitation and the subacute and chronic phase in patients with motor-complete tSCI could lead to early detection and potential prevention of SHCs in this population.

Association of Secondary Health Conditions With Future Chronic Health Conditions Among Persons With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

BACKGROUND

Secondary health conditions (SHC) are physical and mental health conditions that are causally related to disabilities. Studies have found that SHC increase risk of negative health outcomes among people with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI). However, little has been done to assess the association of SHC with the risk of chronic health conditions (CHC) after TSCI.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the prevalence of CHC in adults with TSCI, changes in CHC at follow-up, and the associations of baseline SHC with future CHC.

METHODS

Participants included 501 adults with TSCI of at least 1-year duration, identified through a population-based surveillance system. Baseline and follow-up self-report assessments were completed. We measured seven SHC: fatigue, spasticity, pain, pressure ulcers, subsequent injury, fracture, and anxiety disorder, and measured seven CHC: diabetes, heart attack, coronary artery disease, stroke, cancer, hypertension, and high blood cholesterol. Control variables included gender, race/ethnicity, age at injury, years post injury, injury severity, smoking status, binge drinking, and taking prescription medication. We implemented a Poisson regression model for the multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

The total number of CHC, the percentage of participants having at least one CHC, and prevalence of three individual CHC (diabetes, cancer, and high cholesterol) increased from baseline to follow-up. After controlling for demographic, injury characteristics, and behavioral factors, pain interference and anxiety disorder at baseline were associated with the total number of CHC at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

CHC are common among adults with TSCI and increase significantly over time. Pain and anxiety disorders appear to be risk factors for future CHC.

Pathophysiology of Neurogenic Obesity After Spinal Cord Injury

Individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) have a unique physiology characterized by sarcopenia, neurogenic osteoporosis, neurogenic anabolic deficiency, sympathetic dysfunction, and blunted satiety associated with their SCI, all of which alter energy balance and subsequently body composition. The distinct properties of "neurogenic obesity" place this population at great risk for metabolic dysfunction, including systemic inflammation, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the relationship between neurogenic obesity and the metabolic syndrome after SCI, highlighting the mechanisms associated with adipose tissue pathology and those respective comorbidities. Additionally, representative studies of persons with SCI will be provided to elucidate the severity of the problem and to prompt greater vigilance among SCI specialists as well as primary care providers in order to better manage the epidemic from a public health perspective.

Evaluation of cardiovascular disease risk in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury

STUDY DESIGN

Multicentre, cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

To identify which markers of obesity, injury characteristics and autonomic function variables are related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk after spinal cord injury (SCI), and establish cut-points for detection and risk management.

SETTING

Eight SCI rehabilitation centres in the Netherlands.

METHODS

Individuals (n = 257) with a traumatic, chronic (≥10 years) SCI, with age at injury between 18 and 35 years, completed a self-report questionnaire and a one-day visit to a rehabilitation centre for testing. Three anthropometric measures were tested: body mass index (BMI); waist circumference (WC); and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Injury characteristics included: American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale (AIS); duration of injury (DOI); and neurological level of injury (LOI). Cardiovascular autonomic function was assessed from peak heart rate during maximal exercise (HR_peak). Systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and aerobic capacity (VO_2peak) were also determined. CVD risk was calculated using the Framingham risk score (FRS).

RESULTS

All anthropometric variables were associated with FRS, with WC showing the strongest correlation (r = 0.41, p < 0.001) and greatest area under the curve (0.73) for 10-year CVD risk (%). WC, DOI, SAP, HR_peak, LOI, and VO_2peak (variable importance: 0.81, 1.0, 0.98, 0.98, 0.66, 0.68, respectively) were important predictive variables for 10-year CVD risk in individuals with SCI.

CONCLUSIONS

We confirm that WC is a simple, practical measure of CVD risk, and along with DOI and markers of cardiovascular autonomic function, plays a role in the increased CVD risk following SCI.

Effect of Body Weight-Supported Treadmill Training on Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Function in People With Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review

Objective: To assess the current evidence with regard to the effects of body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) on cardiovascular and pulmonary function in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) with a focus on outcomes of heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and respiratory parameters. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted through MEDLINE/PubMed, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database. Clinical trials involving adults with SCI and focusing on the effects of BWSTT on HR, BP, and respiratory measurements were included. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Downs and Black scale. The level of evidence of each study was identified using the Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Evidence system. Results: Nine studies that met inclusion criteria were evaluated and included in this review. Overall, the quality index of all included studies was low. All studies scored less than 21 out of 28 on the Downs and Black scale. The level of evidence varied from level 2 to level 4. Level 4 evidence supports the use of BWSTT to decrease resting and exercise HR and improve heart rate variability. The use of BWSTT to improve respiratory parameters after SCI is supported by one study with level 2 evidence. The evidence that supports the use of BWSTT to improve resting BP is inconclusive. Conclusion: There has been low to moderate evidence to support the use of BWSTT in individuals with SCI to improve cardiovascular and pulmonary health. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to investigate the effect of BWSTT on cardiovascular and pulmonary function in people with SCI and compare BWSTT to other physical rehabilitation interventions.

Carotid Artery Stiffness and Development of Hypertension in People with Paraplegia and No Overt Cardiovascular Disease: A 7-year Follow-up Study

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare arterial stiffness between people with paraplegia and able-bodied persons (ABPs) and to assess cardiovascular markers that may be predictive of the development of arterial hypertension in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Setting

This study was conducted at rehabilitation Hospital, Udine (Italy).

Methods

Fifty-seven patients with SCI were prospectively enrolled and compared with 88 healthy ABPs. All patients underwent comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography, and one-point left common carotid artery (CCA) color-Doppler study for arterial stiffness.

Results

Patients with SCI had significantly lower body mass index (BMI) and diastolic blood pressure (BP) compared with ABPs, and significantly higher carotid stiffness values (and lower arterial compliance) (P < 0.05) after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, physical activity, and heart rate. The SCI patients had lower values of the right ventricular function parameters (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and right Sm; P < 0.0001), increased wall thickness, and impaired diastolic function. At 7-year follow-up, 10.5% of SCI patients showed high BP; they were significantly heavier with a tendency toward increased abdominal obesity after adjustment for age and systolic BP. BMI was found to be an independent predictor of the development of hypertension.

Conclusions

Patients with posttraumatic chronic SCI and no overt cardiovascular disease exhibit higher CCA stiffness along with the left and right ventricular involvement, compared with ABPs. People with paraplegia who develop arterial hypertension show increased CCA stiffness mediated by obesity. Lifestyle modifications and weight control should be promoted in all patients with SCI, even at a very early stage.