Overview

Abstract (English)

Background Adults with cerebral palsy (CP) may have special health care considerations related to an increased prevalence of risk factors for chronic diseases. In particular, disability-related sedentary time may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and the related major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in this population. Methods Part I: A systematic review of major databases, trial registries, and conference abstracts identified randomized trials and observational studies exploring the prevalence and evaluating the prevention of MACE and risk factors for MACE in adults with CP. Title and abstract, data extraction, and quality of reporting assessment were completed in duplicate. Part II: A secondary analysis of Canadian census data evaluated the crude and adjusted risk of stroke in adults with CP and compared the crude risk with other Canadian adults with spinal cord injury, acquired brain injury, and epilepsy. All risks were reported as an odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. Results Part I: 2281 unique articles were screened to provide 10 cross-sectional studies. No studies evaluated any interventions for MACE or risk factors for MACE. The most common risk factor studied was obesity. Two studies showed an increased in death due to circulatory diseases. Part II: Crude risk of stroke to CP was OR=12.5 (12.2 – 12.9). Mediation effects or multicollinearity was not observed. The adjusted risk of stroke was OR=7.9 (1.8 – 34.2). Elevated crude risk of stroke was also noted in patients with acquired brain injury (OR=16.2 [16.0 – 16.5]), spinal cord injury (OR=6.1 [6.0 – 6.3]), and epilepsy (OR=6.2 [6.0 – 6.3]). Conclusions This thesis provides a preliminary overview of the risk of MACE in adults with CP and hypothesis generating evidence for further research in this population. A prospective cohort study is urgently needed assess the implications of these findings. Adults with CP should minimize exposure to modifiable risk factors as much as possible.

Abstract (French)

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