Abstract 16217: Culturally-tailored Team-based Preventive Cardiology Program Improves Cardiovascular Risk for South Asian Patients

Abstract

Introduction: South Asians (SA) have a two times greater prevalence of CAD and metabolic syndrome (MetS) than matched Europeans. Diet and physical activity may be best addressed through culturally-tailored interventions. The Stanford South Asian Translational Heart Initiative (SSATHI) was designed to help SA better understand and improve their risk factors. We tested the hypothesis that a team-based and culturally-tailored clinical intervention for SA would result in a reduction in MetS risk factors. Methods: Patients underwent an initial assessment consisting of fasting lipid profile, advanced lipid studies (lipid fractionation, lp (a), apoA1, apoB), inflammatory markers (high sensitivity CRP, homocysteine), and A1c. All non-diabetics underwent two-hour OGTT. Following initial assessment by a cardiologist, a registered dietician developed a personalized nutrition plan based on SA cuisine. Results: A total of 395 patients were seen between July, 2011 and July, 2019. Of these, 198 (50%) completed at least two cardiologist visits with baseline and follow up labs. Patients had an average age of 45.5 years and 86% were male. At baseline, SSATHI patients had a mean BMI of 26.4 (IQR = 23.9-28.8), 52% of patients had total cholesterol greater than 190 mg/dl, 21% had systolic BP > 140 mmHg, and 13% had diastolic BP > 90 mmHg. During an average follow-up of 11.8 ± 9.2 months, diastolic BP declined from 80.9 ± 9.32 to 78.9 ± 7.6 mmHg (p = 0.028), total cholesterol decreased from 190.4 ± 46.4 to 153.4 ± 63.7 mg/dl (p < 0.001), total triglycerides declined from 137.1 ± 87.1 to 100.2 ± 67.5 mg/dl (p < 0.001), and LDL declined from 120.4 ± 40.0 to 92.3 ± 46.4 mg/dl (p <0.001). HDL declined from 49.0 ± 15.4 to 44.5 ± 19.8 mg/dl (p = 0.022). ASCVD and A1c were not significantly different. Conclusion: A team-based and culturally-informed program targeted to South Asian populations may help improve cardiometabolic risk factors but may be limited by program attrition and generalizability.