Taking risk to heart: An evaluation of cardiometabolic risk and screening guideline adherence in outpatients with spinal cord injury.

Objectives: To evaluate cardiometabolic disease (CMD) in outpatients with spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D). The study aims were to (1) estimate the prevalence of CMD risk factors in a cohort of Canadian adults with SCI/D; (2) assess whether the frequency of CMD screening aligns with evidence-based guidelines; and (3) gain a preliminary understanding of the barriers to CMD screening and/or treatment within a rehabilitation program setting.

Design: Quality improvement initiative involving chart review extracting the presence of and frequency of screening for four CMD risk factors (obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus). Values were compared to evidence-based guidelines for CMD risk identification and management. Root cause analysis and focused interviews were conducted with clinic staff to identify barriers.

Setting: Academic, tertiary rehabilitation hospital.

Participants: Consecutive outpatients with SCI/D from October 2020 to December 2021 ( = 73).

Results: 43.8% of outpatients sampled had established CMD (≥3 risk factors) and 94.5% had at least one risk factor. Obesity was the most prevalent (82.2%), followed by dyslipidemia (71.7%), hypertension (46.5%), and diabetes mellitus (34.8%). Hypertension and obesity screening were completed at 14.3% and 10.4% of appointments. The frequency of dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus screening could not be determined. Eighteen barriers to timely CMD screening and treatment intensification were identified.

Conclusions: The prevalence of CMD risk factors in outpatients with SCI/D was high. While approximately two of every five outpatients had established CMD, adherence to screening guidelines was poor. These findings reinforce the need for strategies to improve screening and reduce preventable harm from CMD in this vulnerable population.