Waist and Neck Enlargement after Quadriplegia

ABSTRACT

Changes in waist and neck size in quadriplegic patients after paralysis, noted clinically, were assessed systematically. Twenty quadriplegic men, aged 60± 13 years (mean± 1 SD) and 20 neurologically intact men, aged 63 ± 17 years, selected by absence of weight gain, were questioned about changes in their waist and shirt collar sizes since the onset of paralysis (20 ±13 years) or during the previous 20 years for control subjects. Waist size expanded 7.0 ± 0.3 inches for quadriplegic and 1.7± 1.7 inches for control subjects (p<0.001). Changes in neck size of 0.7 ± 1.1 inches for quadriplegic and 0 ± 0.7 inches for control subjects were found (p<0.02). We conclude that quadriplegia is often followed by increased waist and neck size. These changes may relate to the impaired breathing mechanisms in quadriplegia. (J Am Paraplegia Soc; 17: 177–178)

Keywords:

• spinal cord injury
• quadriplegia
• body habitus
• breathing