Peripheral Arterial Disease and Spinal Cord Injury: A Retrospective Nationwide Cohort Study

Medicine, 2015 · DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000001655 · Published: October 1, 2015

Spinal Cord Injury Cardiovascular Science

Simple Explanation

This study aimed to determine if spinal cord injury (SCI) increases the risk of developing peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Researchers analyzed data from a large group of patients in Taiwan to compare PAD incidence between those with and without SCI. The study found that patients with SCI had a significantly higher risk of developing PAD compared to those without SCI. This increased risk was observed even after accounting for other factors like age, sex, and existing health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. The findings suggest that healthcare providers should be aware of the elevated PAD risk in SCI patients and implement strategies for early detection, prevention, and management of PAD in this population.

Study Duration

12 Years

Participants

42,673 SCI patients and 170,389 non-SCI controls

Evidence Level

Level 3: Retrospective Nationwide Cohort Study

Key Findings

1
Patients with SCI have a significantly higher risk of developing PAD compared to those without SCI (HR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.22–1.53).
2
The risk of PAD is particularly high among SCI patients with diabetes (adjusted HR = 3.11, 95% CI = 2.80–3.44).
3
Lumbar, sacral, or coccygeal spine and multiple spine SCI were significantly associated with an increased risk of PAD.

Research Summary

This retrospective cohort study, using data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Database, investigated the relationship between spinal cord injury (SCI) and the risk of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The study found that SCI patients had a significantly higher risk of developing PAD compared to non-SCI patients, even after adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities. The findings suggest that clinicians should be aware of the increased PAD risk in SCI patients and implement strategies for prevention and management.

Practical Implications

Increased Awareness

The study highlights the need for heightened awareness among healthcare providers regarding the elevated risk of PAD in patients with SCI.

Targeted Screening

The findings suggest the importance of targeted screening programs for PAD in SCI patients, especially those with additional risk factors like diabetes.

Preventive Strategies

The study underscores the need for implementing preventive strategies to reduce PAD risk among patients with SCI, including lifestyle modifications and management of comorbidities.

Study Limitations

1
Diagnoses recorded in the NHIRD are not validated for academic purposes.
2
Data on environmental risk factors influencing PAD such as smoking habits and family history could not be obtained.
3
The confounding variables of smoking, blood pressure, and cholesterol level were not available in our database.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury