ETHNICITY EFFECT ON THE SERUM-LIPID PROFILE IN PERSONS WITH SPINAL-CORD INJURY

Objective: The potential effect of ethnicity on the serum lipid profil e and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] was studied in a population with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Study Design: The distribution and correlate s of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and Lp(a) were studied in a population of 600 subjects with chronic SCI. Results: Mean +/- S EM serum HDL cholesterol was significantly higher in the African Ameri can group than in the white and Latino groups (47 +/- 1 vs 40 +/- 1 an d 38 +/- 1 mg/dL, p < .0001, respectively). The African American group had a lower serum total to HDL cholesterol ratio than white and Latin o groups (4.46 +/- .153 vs 5.18 +/- .168 and 5.40 +/- .140 mg/dL, p < .01, respectively). Mean serum Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in the African American group than in Latino or white groups (29 +/- 2 vs 18 +/- 1 and 15 +/- 1 mg/dL, p < .0001, respectively). Age, durati on of SCI, and level and completeness of lesion had no significant eff ect on serum Lp(a) level. Conclusions: In a population with chronic SC I, those in the African American group had the highest serum HDL chole sterol concentrations, the lowest serum total to HDL cholesterol ratio s, and elevated levels of serum Lp(a) compared with the Latino and whi te groups. In a population of individuals with chronic SCI, ethnicity was shown to have a major effect on serum lipids and may be used to as sist in the determination of cardiovascular risk. (C) 1998 by the Amer ican Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of P hysical Medicine and Rehabilitation.