Glucose intolerance and dyslipidaemias in persons with paraplegia and tetraplegia in South India

Abstract

Glucose intolerance and dyslipidaemias have been reported among paraplegics and tetraplegics. In this study we determined the lipid profiles and the glucose tolerance in a group of 48 persons with spinal cord lesions who had been rehabilitated in our Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. This non-randomised, descriptive study was conducted as part of the annual medical follow-up of these individuals. Hypertension was observed in only 6% of the subjects. Fasting hyperglycemia was observed in 19% and glucose intolerance in 23% of the subjects. Total cholesterol was abnormal in 2%, but 58% had low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL). 10% of the subjects had raised low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. The cardioprotective HDL fraction may remain very low even while the total cholesterol level is within normal limits, and unless a lipid profile estimation is done, this group of individuals who are at cardiovascular risk may remain undetected. We conclude that glucose intolerance and dyslipidaemias are common among paraplegic and tetraplegic individuals, and these metabolic derangements may contribute to increased cardiovascular morbidity.