The Prevalence of Dyslipidemia in Patients with Spinal Cord Lesion in Thailand

Objective. To assess the prevalence of dyslipidemia in 90 patients with spinal cord lesion (SCL) of duration greater than 2 years. The study was carried out from November 2007 to September 2008. Methods. Clinical history, physical examination, and lipid profiles were recorded and analyzed. Dyslipidemia was assessed using guidelines from the National Cholesterol Education Project Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). Results. The prevalence of dyslipidemia in at least one lipid parameter was 76.7%. The most frequent finding was low HDL-C (58.9%). Hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia and high LDL-C were found in 28.9%, 26.7% and 21.1% of patients, respectively. The factors sex = male and age = 45 years were associated with high LDL-C (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). Patients who exercised less than 30 minutes per day had associated hypercholesterolemia (P < 0.01), hypertriglyceridemia (P < 0.01), and higher LDL-C (P < 0.05). Patients with BMI >= 23 kg/m(2) had associated hypercholesterolemia and high LDL-C. Age was a significant determinant of high LDL-C. BMI was the most powerful and significant determinant of hypercholesterolemia and high LDL-C. Conclusion. SCL patients should have a regular lipid checkup, especially those patients having the following risk factors: males, age >= 45 years, BMI >= 23 kg/m(2) and exercise duration < 30 minutes per day.