Objective: To introduce allostatic load (AL) as a framework for measuring stress-related outcomes after spinal cord injury (SCI) by identifying the number and nature of biomarkers investigated in existing studies and by generating preliminary data on AL in 30 persons with traumatic SCI. Methods: This systematic review and pilot study were conducted at a medical university in the southeastern United States. A review of literature published between 1993 and 2012 identified studies using 2 or more of 5 classes of AL biomarkers. We then collected data on 11 biomarkers (n = 30) from self-selected participants using physical exams and blood and urine specimen collection. These included waist to hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, dihydroepiandrosterone, glycosylated hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine normalized by 12-hour creatinine. Results: We were unable to identify any studies investigating AL biomarkers from each of the 5 areas or any studies specifically proposing to investigate AL. AL scores were relatively low, with metabolic indicators being the most elevated and neuroendocrine the least elevated. Conclusion: AL is a promising, yet underutilized, construct that may be feasibly assessed after SCI.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Proffered Paper|
April 11 2014
Allostatic Load and Spinal Cord Injury: Review of Existing Research and Preliminary Data
James Krause;
James Krause
1
Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
Search for other works by this author on:
Nicole DiPiro;
Nicole DiPiro
1
Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
Search for other works by this author on:
Lee Saunders;
Lee Saunders
1
Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
Search for other works by this author on:
Susan Newman;
Susan Newman
2
Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
Search for other works by this author on:
Narendra Banik;
Narendra Banik
3
Department of Neurosciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
Search for other works by this author on:
Sookyoung Park
Sookyoung Park
3
Department of Neurosciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
Search for other works by this author on:
Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil (2014) 20 (2): 137–146.
Citation
James Krause, Nicole DiPiro, Lee Saunders, Susan Newman, Narendra Banik, Sookyoung Park; Allostatic Load and Spinal Cord Injury: Review of Existing Research and Preliminary Data. Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil 1 April 2014; 20 (2): 137–146. doi: https://doi.org/10.1310/sci2002-137
Download citation file:
Citing articles via
Behavioral/Physical and Stimulation Interventions for Chronic Pain Following Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review
Linda Ehrlich-Jones, PhD, RN, Elise Olsen, BA, Angelika Kudla, MS, Jennifer Burns, BA, Nicole Sharf, MA, Q. Eileen Wafford, MST, MLIS, Allen W. Heinemann, PhD
Grocery Shopping and Eating Behaviors Differ Between Persons With and Without a Spinal Cord Injury
Zachary J. Donato, MS, MD, Adam S. Levy, MS, MD, Alicia Sneij, PhD, MS, RD, Sherri L. LaVela, PhD, MPH, MBA, Arthur S. Berg, PhD, Lauren T. Shapiro, MD, MPH, Gary J. Farkas, PhD, MSCTI
No Beneficial Effects of the Alfasigma VSL#3 Probiotic Treatment After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury in Rats
Pamela J.F. Raposo, MSc, Antoinette T. Nguyen, PhD, Emma K.A. Schmidt, PhD, Abel Torres Espin, PhD, Keith K. Fenrich, PhD, David J. Bennett, PhD, Karim Fouad, PhD
Perspectives on Barriers to Use and Benefits of Functional Electrical Stimulation From Australians and New Zealanders With SCI and Clinicians and Researchers in the Field
Anne E. Palermo, PT, DPT, PhD, Edward Gorgon, PT, PhD, Antonio Vecchio, BS, Lisa Tedesco Triccas, PT, PhD, Euan McCaughey, PhD, Maggie Donovan-Hall, PhD
Breastfeeding After Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review of Prevalence and Associated Complications
Andrei Krassioukov, MD, PhD, Amanda H.X. Lee, MSc, MD (student), Stacy Elliott, MD, Teri Thorson, Nathan Agon-Chen, BKin, MPT, MD, Gavin Naicker, BSc, MBT, MD (student), Matthew Querée, MAppPsych, Janice Eng, PhD, BSc(PT/OT), SCIRE Team