Association of C-reactive protein and insulin resistance in patients with chronic spinal cord injury.

Objective: To study the association between C-reactive protein levels and insulin resistance in patients with spinal cord injury. Design: Cross-sectional study. Subjects: Forty-two subjects who had sustained spinal cord injuries at least 6 months before enrolment. Methods: Circulating glucose, insulin and C-reactive protein levels were measured after 12 hours' fasting. The homeostasis model insulin resistance index was used to evaluate insulin resistance. Insulin resistance and C-reactive protein levels were compared between complete/incomplete patients and between paraplegic/tetraplegic patients. The subjects were then divided into 3 groups (C-reactive protein levels < 1, 1-3, > 3 mg/l) to compare insulin resistance. Results: Eighteen (43%)) subjects had C-reactive protein levels > 3 mg/l. The C-reactive protein levels and insulin resistance did not significantly differ between complete/incomplete or between paraplegic/tetraplegic subjects. However, insulin resistance in the high C-reactive protein group (>3 mg/l) differed significantly from that of the other 2 groups, and there was a significant correlation between C-reactive protein and insulin resistance, with r = 0.7745. Conclusion: Most young and middle-aged patients with chronic spinal cord injury with high C-reactive protein levels also have high insulin resistance, and their C-reactive protein levels have well correlated with insulin resistance.