Obesity in chronic spinal cord injury is associated with poorer body composition and increased risk of cardiometabolic disease
Abstract With increased longevity after spinal cord injury (SCI), cardiovascular disease has emerged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We evaluate the association of body composition and injury level with cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk factors. Sixty-two individuals (69% male, 31% fem...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| author | Nicholas Dietz Maxwell Boakye Martin F. Bjurström Beatrice Ugiliweneza Shirish Barve Sriprakash Mokshagundam |
| author_facet | Nicholas Dietz Maxwell Boakye Martin F. Bjurström Beatrice Ugiliweneza Shirish Barve Sriprakash Mokshagundam |
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| description | Abstract With increased longevity after spinal cord injury (SCI), cardiovascular disease has emerged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We evaluate the association of body composition and injury level with cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk factors. Sixty-two individuals (69% male, 31% female) with chronic SCI (mean duration 7.4, SD ± 5.8 years) were recruited. Mean age of participants was 34.4 ± 12.1 years with BMI of 23.8 ± 5, while 64% had BMI < 25 and 11% >30. Total and percent truncal fat correlated positively (p < 0.05) with serum triglycerides, non-high-density lipid cholesterol, c-reactive protein (CRP), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and measures of insulin resistance. Those with obesity in SCI (defined as BMI ≥ 22) had increased total and trunk mass and fat percentage, unfavorable lipid profiles and evidence of insulin insensitivity. Total fat was associated with CMD risk factors, including insulin resistance (OGTT 60 min r = 0.47, p < 0.05; homeostasis model assessment [HOMA] r = 0.62, p < 0.05), serum triglycerides (r = 0.31, p < 0.05), and inflammation (CRP r = 0.43, p < 0.05). Obesity in SCI related to higher CMD risk, while time since injury and injury level (paraplegia versus tetraplegia) did not. Future studies may evaluate roles of nutrition, exercise, sleep-promotion, and pharmaceuticals to lower neurogenic obesity and chronic CMD risk. |
| format | Article |
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| language | English |
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| spelling | doaj-art-e023e4d4b5f24077a43a8e08014a1d892025-08-20T03:05:22ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-13593-0Obesity in chronic spinal cord injury is associated with poorer body composition and increased risk of cardiometabolic diseaseNicholas Dietz0Maxwell Boakye1Martin F. Bjurström2Beatrice Ugiliweneza3Shirish Barve4Sriprakash Mokshagundam5Department of Neurosurgery, University of LouisvilleDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of LouisvilleDepartment of Surgical Sciences, Clinical Pain Research, Uppsala UniversityDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of LouisvilleDepartment of Medicine, University of LouisvilleDepartment of Endocrinology, University of LouisvilleAbstract With increased longevity after spinal cord injury (SCI), cardiovascular disease has emerged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We evaluate the association of body composition and injury level with cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk factors. Sixty-two individuals (69% male, 31% female) with chronic SCI (mean duration 7.4, SD ± 5.8 years) were recruited. Mean age of participants was 34.4 ± 12.1 years with BMI of 23.8 ± 5, while 64% had BMI < 25 and 11% >30. Total and percent truncal fat correlated positively (p < 0.05) with serum triglycerides, non-high-density lipid cholesterol, c-reactive protein (CRP), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and measures of insulin resistance. Those with obesity in SCI (defined as BMI ≥ 22) had increased total and trunk mass and fat percentage, unfavorable lipid profiles and evidence of insulin insensitivity. Total fat was associated with CMD risk factors, including insulin resistance (OGTT 60 min r = 0.47, p < 0.05; homeostasis model assessment [HOMA] r = 0.62, p < 0.05), serum triglycerides (r = 0.31, p < 0.05), and inflammation (CRP r = 0.43, p < 0.05). Obesity in SCI related to higher CMD risk, while time since injury and injury level (paraplegia versus tetraplegia) did not. Future studies may evaluate roles of nutrition, exercise, sleep-promotion, and pharmaceuticals to lower neurogenic obesity and chronic CMD risk.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13593-0Traumatic spinal cord injuryMetabolismCardiometabolic disease |
| spellingShingle | Nicholas Dietz Maxwell Boakye Martin F. Bjurström Beatrice Ugiliweneza Shirish Barve Sriprakash Mokshagundam Obesity in chronic spinal cord injury is associated with poorer body composition and increased risk of cardiometabolic disease Scientific Reports Traumatic spinal cord injury Metabolism Cardiometabolic disease |
| title | Obesity in chronic spinal cord injury is associated with poorer body composition and increased risk of cardiometabolic disease |
| title_full | Obesity in chronic spinal cord injury is associated with poorer body composition and increased risk of cardiometabolic disease |
| title_fullStr | Obesity in chronic spinal cord injury is associated with poorer body composition and increased risk of cardiometabolic disease |
| title_full_unstemmed | Obesity in chronic spinal cord injury is associated with poorer body composition and increased risk of cardiometabolic disease |
| title_short | Obesity in chronic spinal cord injury is associated with poorer body composition and increased risk of cardiometabolic disease |
| title_sort | obesity in chronic spinal cord injury is associated with poorer body composition and increased risk of cardiometabolic disease |
| topic | Traumatic spinal cord injury Metabolism Cardiometabolic disease |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13593-0 |
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