Ethnicity effect on the serum lipid profile in persons with spinal cord injury

Objective: The potential effect of ethnicity on the serum lipid profile and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] was studied in a population with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Study Design: The distribution and correlates of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and Lp(a) were studied in a population of 600 subjects with chronic SCI. Results: Mean +/- SEM serum HDL cholesterol was significantly higher in the African American group than in the white and Latino groups (47 +/- 1 vs 40 +/- 1 and 38 +/- 1 mg/dL, p < .0001, respectively). The African American group had a lower serum total to HDL cholesterol ratio than white and Latino 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, duration of SCI, and level and completeness of lesion had no significant effect on serum Lp(a) level. Conclusions: In a population with chronic SCI, those in the African American group had the highest serum HDL cholesterol concentrations, the lowest serum total to HDL cholesterol ratios, and elevated levels of serum Lp(a) compared with the Latino and white 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 assist in the determination of cardiovascular risk. (C) 1998 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.