Frisbie 2010;

USA

Downs & Black = 15

Retrospective Longitudinal

N=322

Population: 318 males and 4 females; had follow up service for SCI with scheduled annual checkups betwen 1998 and 2007

Methodology: Cohort was divided into two groups: surviving and decreased through 2008.

Outcome Measures: prevalence rates of anemia (AN), severe anemia (SAN) and hypoalbuminemia (HA)

1. 72% of surviving subjects experienced AN during survey period.
2. 99% of deceased subjects experienced AN.
3. SAN or HA also higher in deceased (54.2% vs. 28.0% and 61.4% vs. 28.5%).
4. Number of survey years positive for AN, SAN, or HA higher in deceased (82.7%, 18.0%, 22.2%) vs. survivor (33.7%, 6.0%, 6.4%).
5. SAN and HA occurred together in same survey year 78% of the times.

Furlan et al. 2006; Canada
Downs & Black = 15
Cross-sectional with AB controls
N SCI = 21
N controls = 11

Population: 21 males and females with cervical SCI, ages 17-83 yrs, AIS A-D. 11 males and females with spine trauma, ages 18-75 yrs, AIS E as controls.
Methodology: Consecutive individuals with acute C-spine trauma from 1998-2000 were reviewed.
Outcome Measures: Blood hemoglobin concentration, leukocyte, lymphocyte and platelet count within first week of trauma.

1. With age controlled, SCI individuals showed a significantly (p <0.001) higher frequency for ↓ hemoglobin concentration, leukocytosis, lymphopenia, and thrombocytopenia than controls within the first week post-trauma.
2. SCI had significantly ↑ leukocyte count and significantly ↓ blood lymphocyte count than controls.
3. Males with SCI had significantly ↓ hemoglobin concentration than male controls, but no differences detected between females.

Campagnolo et al. 1999;
USA
Downs & Black = 12
Cross-sectional with AB controls
N SCI = 18
N controls = 18

Population: 11 males and 7 females; for persons with tetraplegia, mean age 29 (19-51 yrs), mean YPI 56.6 months; for persons with paraplegia, mean age 32.6 (21-50 yrs), mean YPI 38.6months.
Methodology: Comparison of pituitary and adrenal function with age and gender matched AB controls.
Outcome measure: Immunoassay methods

1. Plasma cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DS) were ↑ (p = 0.06, and p = 0.05, respectively) in persons with SCI. 
2. When examined within level of injury, no differences on mean plasma cortisol emerged, but persons with tetraplegia had ↑ (p = 0.05) levels of mean plasma DS than AB controls.

Campagnolo et al. 1994;
USA
Downs & Black = 11
Cross-sectional with AB controls
N SCI = 5
N controls = 5

Population: 4 males and 1 female with complete tetraplegia (mean age 36.2, 20 - 69 yrs); mean YPI 33.8 (7-120 mos).
Methodology: Comparison of an immunologic parameter, and psychological well-being with age and gender matched AB controls.
Outcome measure: Lymphocyte proliferation assay; Natural killer cell cytotoxicity assay; Cell counts; Ilfeld Psychiatric Symptom Index.

1. No difference in cytometry, depression or stress.
2. Persons with SCI had significant suppression in lymphocyte balstogenic response for the three mitogens tested (pokeweed, p =0.039; conconavalin, p = 0.038; phytohemagglutinin, p =0.0008).