Serum lipid profiles of Chinese men with chronic paraplegia

Objective To investigate the serum lipids levels of Chinese men with chronic paraplegia.Methods A total of 650 male paraplegics admitted to the China Rehabilitation Research Center （CRRC） for rehabilitation therapy from Jan 2004-Dec 2008 were investigated. The inclusion criteria were a definite paraplegic history （T2-L5 spinal cord injury）; complete data; age 18-60 years; and no history of stroke. TG, TC, LDL and HDL serum lipid profiles were studied. Results These male paraplegics showed significantly higher mean TG and TC levels and lower mean HDL levels than the nation-wide averages for similar males （ TG 1.72 mmol/L vs. 1.36 mmol/L; TC4.42 mmol/L vs. 4.30 mmoL/L; HDL 0.99 mmol/L vs. 1.18 mmol/L）. No difference in average LDL levels was found. TG, TC and LDL levels were correlated positively with age, but HDL was not. Duration of paraplegia correlated positively with HDL levels, but negatively with LDL. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 67% , and the prevalence of low HDL was 64%. Conclusions The serum lipid profiles of the young male paraplegics showed a high prevalence of dislipidemia, significantly low HDL levels with a high prevalence of low HDL, and no correlation with age. TG, TC and LDL levels increased with age. The duration of paraplegia was correlated positively with HDL but negatively with LDL, probably due to increased exercise of the upper limbs. Key words: Males;  Paraplegia;  Exercise;  Serum lipids