Original Research

Systemic Inflammation and Reduced Pulmonary Function in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Corresponding Author

Eric Garshick MD, MOH

[email protected]

Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Section, Medical Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA 02132; Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Disclosure: 8B, investigator on VA and NIH grants used to collect and analyze data, Merit Review grant B6618R, Department of Veteran's Affairs; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development ROI HD042141Address correspondence to: E.G.Search for more papers by this author

Kelly L. Stolzmann MS,

Kelly L. Stolzmann MS

Programs in Research at VA Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Disclosure: nothing to discloseSearch for more papers by this author

David R. Gagnon MD, MPH, PhD,

David R. Gagnon MD, MPH, PhD

VA Cooperative Studies Program, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA; Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA

Leslie R. Morse DO,

Leslie R. Morse DO

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Disclosure: 8B, salary support via Merit Review grant B6618RSearch for more papers by this author

Robert Brown MD,

Robert Brown MD

Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Unit and Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Eric Garshick MD, MOH,

Corresponding Author

Eric Garshick MD, MOH

[email protected]

Kelly L. Stolzmann MS,

Kelly L. Stolzmann MS

Programs in Research at VA Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Disclosure: nothing to discloseSearch for more papers by this author

David R. Gagnon MD, MPH, PhD,

David R. Gagnon MD, MPH, PhD

VA Cooperative Studies Program, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA; Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA

Leslie R. Morse DO,

Leslie R. Morse DO

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Disclosure: 8B, salary support via Merit Review grant B6618RSearch for more papers by this author

Robert Brown MD,

Robert Brown MD

Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Unit and Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

First published: 11 May 2011

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmrj.2011.02.003

Citations: 21

Disclosure Key can be found on the Table of Contents and at www.pmrjournal.org

Research Support: Office of Research and Development, Rehabilitation Research and Development (Merit Review Grant B6618R) and Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center, Cooperative Studies Program, Department of Veterans Affairs; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (RO1 HD042141). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development or the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the relationship between systemic inflammation and pulmonary function in persons with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Participants

Fifty-nine men with chronic SCI participating in a prior epidemiologic study.

Methods

Standardized assessment of pulmonary function and measurement of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).

Main Outcome Measurements

Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) and forced vital capacity (FVC).

Results

Persons with the highest values of IL-6 had the lowest %-predicted FEV₁ and FVC. There was a significant inverse linear trend between quartile of IL-6 and %-predicted FEV₁ (P < .001) and FVC (P < .006), unadjusted and adjusted for SCI level and completeness of injury, obstructive lung disease history, smoking, and body mass index (P = .010-.039). Although not as strong as for IL-6, there also were similar trends for %-predicted FEV₁ and FVC with CRP.

Conclusions

In chronic SCI, higher levels of IL-6 and CRP were associated with a lower FEV₁ and FVC, independent of level and completeness of injury. These results suggest that the reduction of pulmonary function after SCI is related not only to neuromuscular impairment but also to factors that promote systemic inflammation.

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Volume3, Issue5

May 2011

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Systemic Inflammation and Reduced Pulmonary Function in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Objective

Design

Setting

Participants

Methods

Main Outcome Measurements

Results

Conclusions

References

Citing Literature

References

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Systemic Inflammation and Reduced Pulmonary Function in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Objective

Design

Setting

Participants

Methods

Main Outcome Measurements

Results

Conclusions

References

Citing Literature

References

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