Compare Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Research Articles

Physical Activity, Fitness, and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Adolescent Childhood Cancer Survivors Compared to Controls: The Physical Activity in Childhood Cancer Survivors Study.

Purpose: Childhood cancer survivors have increased risk of cardiac late effects that can be potentially mitigated by physical activity and fitness. We aimed to (1) compare cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk between survivors and controls, and (2) examine whether the associations of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and musculoskeletal fitness (MSF) with CVD risk factors differed between survivors and controls. Methods: Within the Physical Activity in Childhood Cancer Survivors (PACCS) study, we assessed CVD risk factors (android fat mass, systolic blood pressure [SBP], total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein [HDL]-cholesterol, and glycosylated hemoglobin) in 157 childhood cancer survivors and 113 age- and sex-matched controls aged 9-18 years. We used multivariable mixed linear regression models to compare CVD risk factors between survivors and controls, and assess associations of MVPA, CRF, and MSF with CVD risk factors. Results: Compared with controls, survivors had more android fat mass (861 vs. 648 g, p = 0.001) and lower SBP (114 vs. 118 mmHg, p = 0.002). MVPA, CRF, and MSF were associated with lower levels of android fat mass and total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol, and higher SBP in survivors. Associations of MVPA, CRF, and MSF with CVD risk factors were similar in survivors and controls (Pinteraction > 0.05), except the associations of CRF and MSF with android fat mass, which were stronger in survivors than in controls (Pinteraction ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Owing to higher levels of android fat mass and its stronger association with physical fitness in childhood cancer survivors compared with controls, survivors should get targeted interventions to increase fitness to reduce future risk of CVD.

Cardiovascular risk profiles in patients with inflammatory bowel disease differ from matched controls from the general population.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We compared cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and 10-year risk in IBD patients to the general population. In this cross-sectional study, consecutive IBD patients ≥45 years were included. History of ASCVD and CVD risk factors (smoking, hypertension, overweight, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome) were assessed. The Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE2) algorithm was used to estimate 10-year CVD risk. One to four age/sex-matched controls were derived from the prospective population-based Rotterdam Study cohort. In total, 235 IBD patients were included {56% women, median age 59 years [interquartile range (IQR) 51-66]} and matched to 829 controls [56% women, median age 61 years (IQR 56-67)]. Inflammatory bowel disease patients experienced ASCVD events more often compared with matched controls [odds ratio (OR) 2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-3.27], specifically heart failure (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.02-4.01) and coronary heart disease (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.7-3.13). Inflammatory bowel disease patients showed lower odds of overweight (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.35-0.66) and hypercholesterolaemia (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.31-0.65) and higher odds of hypertension (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.19-2.32), as well as higher waist circumference (+4 cm, P = 0.006) and triglyceride levels (+0.6 mmol/L, P < 0.001) as compared with controls. Mean 10-year CVD risk was 4.0% [standard deviation (SD) ±2.6] in 135 IBD patients vs. 6.0% (SD ±1.6) in 506 controls. The increased CVD risk in IBD is discrepant with the 10-year CVD risk estimate. Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation may underestimate CVD risk in IBD patients due to differing CVD risk profiles compared with the general population, including a lower prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia and overweight and a higher prevalence of hypertension, abdominal obesity, and hypertriglyceridaemia.

Device-measured physical activity and cardiovascular disease risk in adolescent childhood cancer survivors. A physical activity in childhood cancer survivors (PACCS) study.

ObjectivesWe aimed to compare cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in childhood cancer survivors (CCS) with age- and sex-stratified reference material and examine the association between physical activity (PA) intensities and CVD risk factors in CCS.Materials and methodsWithin the cross-sectional, multicenter Physical Activity in Childhood Cancer Survivors (PACCS) study, we collected data on CVD risk factors [VO2–peak (mL⋅kg–1⋅min–1), body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), systolic blood pressure (SBP, mmHg), and total-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol (Total/HDL)] among CCS aged 9–18 years. CVD risk factors were compared to references with immediate t-tests. We transformed CVD risk factors into z-scores based on international references and generated an individual CVD risk score: [inverse ZVO2–peak + ZBMI + ZSBP + ZTotal/HDL)/4]. Multivariable mixed linear regression models were used to analyze the associations between device-measured PA intensities and CVD risk factors.ResultsWe included 157 CCS aged on average 13.4 years at inclusion and 8.2 years from diagnosis. Male CCS had lower VO2–peak compared to references (45.4 vs. 49.4 mL⋅kg–1⋅min–1, P = 0.001), higher diastolic BP (67 vs. 63 mmHg, P < 0.001), lower HDL (1.35 vs. 1.44 mmol/L, P = 0.012), as well as a tendency to higher CVD risk score (z-score=0.14 vs. 0.00, P = .075). Female CCS’ CVD risk factors were comparable to references. Vigorous-intensity PA (VPA) was associated with CVD risk factors. A 10-min increase in VPA was associated with higher VO2–peak (β = 4.9, 95% CI, 2.1–7.7), lower Total/HDL (β = −0.3, 95% CI, −0.6 to −0.1) and a lower CVD risk score (β = −0.4, 95% CI, −0.6 to −0.2).ConclusionMale adolescent CCS had less favorable values of CVD risk factors compared to references. VPA in adolescent CCS is associated with clinically meaningful favorable values of CVD risk factors.

Cardiovascular Health Does Not Change Following High-Intensity Interval Training in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Introduction: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. First-line therapy for PCOS is lifestyle changes including exercise. We compared CVD risk factors between women with and without PCOS and examined the responses to high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Methods: women with PCOS were randomized to HIIT (n = 41) or a non-exercise control group (n = 23) for 16 weeks. Women without PCOS (n = 15) were age- and BMI-matched to participants with PCOS and completed 16 weeks of HIIT. CVD markers included blood pressure, heart rate, flow mediated dilatation (FMD), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and circulating concentrations of lipids, glucose, insulin, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Results: resting heart rate was higher in women with PCOS than without PCOS (p =0.011) and was reduced after HIIT in women with PCOS (−2.8 beats/min, 95% CI: −5.4, −0.2, p = 0.037). FMD was not significantly different between women with PCOS (5.5%, SD 4.1) and those without PCOS (8.2%, SD 3.9) at baseline. HIIT reduced time-to-peak dilatation of the brachial artery in women with PCOS compared with women without PCOS (−55 s, 95% CI: −96, −13, p = 0.012). Conclusions: we found little difference in CVD risk factors between women with and without PCOS at baseline, but some indications of endothelial dysfunction in women with PCOS.

Comparing cardiovascular risk of patients with rheumatoid arthritis within the Social Security Disability Insurance with those commercially insured

ObjectiveTo compare cardiovascular disease (CVD) rates in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) beneficiaries of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) with commercially insured RA patients.MethodWe created three cohorts of RA patients aged < 65 years for SSDI and three for Marketscan using claims data from 2006 to 2016. The cohort definitions were as follows: (1) cohort 1: ≥ 2 diagnosis codes for RA occurring 7–365 days apart with ≥ 1 diagnosis code from a rheumatologist; (2) cohort 2: ≥ 1 diagnosis code for RA from a rheumatologist and a disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS); and (3) cohort 3: cohort 2, plus initiation of a new biologic/tofacitinib. We used Cox regression to determine the CVD risk comparing SSDI vs. Marketscan. Models were sequentially adjusted for age and sex (model 1); model 1 + diabetes, smoking, and high CVD risk (model 2); and model 2 + dual eligible (Medicare and Medicaid), subsidy, and state buy in (model 3).ResultsThere were 380,336 RA patients, mean age 53.3 (SD 8.1) years, 21–24% male. Prevalence of comorbidities was higher in SSDI vs. Marketscan. SSDI RA patients in cohort 2 (model 3) had higher CVD risk (HR 1.23 (1.14–1.33). In cohort 3 (model 3), CVD risk was not statistically significantly different between SSDI and Marketscan (HR 0.89 (0.69–1.15).ConclusionRA patient beneficiaries of the SSDI had higher risk for CVD events than those employed. The differences in CVD events between SSDI and Marketscan were partially attributable to differences in CVD risk factors.

Does transition through menopause affect cardiovascular disease risk factors? Results from a population-based cohort (CoLaus study)

Abstract Introduction Menopause has been associated with adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profile, yet it is unclear whether the changes in CVD risk factors differ by reproductive stage independently of underlying aging trajectories. We examined whether reproductive stages are differently associated with changes in cardiovascular risk factors. Methods This is a prospective population-based cohort study. We used data from women at baseline and follow-up (mean 5.5 years). We classified women into (i) premenopausal, (ii) menopausal transition, (iii) early (≤5 years), and (iv) late (&amp;gt;5 years) postmenopausal by comparing their menstruation status at baseline and follow-up. In the cross-sectional analysis, we compared CVD risk factors at baseline across different reproductive stages using multivariable linear regression models. In the longitudinal analysis, we used multivariable linear mixed models. We used premenopausal women as a reference category and adjusted our analyses for age, medications, hormone replacement therapy, lifestyle, body mass index (BMI) at baseline and follow-up. Results We used the data from 2,558 women aged 35–75 years. At baseline, compared to premenopausal women, (i) transition and early postmenopausal groups had higher HDL, (ii) early- and late postmenopausal women had higher BMI, total cholesterol, adiponectin, and interleukin-6 levels, and (iii) all other women groups had higher diastolic blood pressure and glucose levels, while no differences were observed in the other CVD risk factors. At follow-up, women across the four reproductive categories showed an increase in BMI, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting glucose compared to baseline. However, linear mixed models showed that, the changes in CVD risk factors were not significantly different in the other three menopausal categories compared to premenopausal women. When using age as a predictor variable and adjusting for menopause status, most of the CVD risk factors increased, while interleukin 6 and interleukin 1b decreased with advancing age. The estimates did not change when the analyses were restricted to women who did not report hormone therapy-use. Conclusion The current study suggests that women have a worsening of cardiovascular risk profile as they age, and although menopausal women may have higher levels of cardiovascular risk factors compared to premenopausal women at any given time, the five year changes in cardiovascular risk factors may not depend on menopausal status per se. More studies are still needed to disentangle the contribution of age and menopause in postmenopausal CVD risk, and other pathways not explored in this study. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): COLAUS was supported by a research grants from GlaxoSmithKline and the Swiss National Science Foundation and

Abstract P079: Examining Associations Of Sexual Identity And Cardiovascular Disease Risk In A Nationally Representative Sample: The Mediating Role Of Sleep Duration

Introduction: There is growing evidence that sexual minority (e.g., gay/lesbian and bisexual) adults have higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and report shorter sleep duration than heterosexual adults. Previous research suggests that sleep duration is inversely associated with CVD risk in adults. To date, no study has examined the associations of sleep duration and objectively measured CVD risk in sexual minority adults. Hypothesis: We investigated the hypothesis that sexual minority adults have higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtr) than heterosexual adults and that sleep duration mediates these associations. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2016) were used. Sexual identity and sleep duration were assessed based on self-report. We used the average of systolic and diastolic BP across two readings to assess BP. We calculated the ratio between waist and height (in cm). We used sex-stratified linear regression models to compare CVD risk factors between sexual minority (i.e., gay/lesbian and bisexual) and heterosexual adults. Next, we used path analysis to determine whether the associations of sexual identity with systolic and diastolic BP and WHtr were mediated by sleep duration. Models were adjusted for demographic characteristics and tobacco use. Results: The sample included 17,858 adults. Participants had a mean age of 38.0 (SD = 12.1), 48.4% were female, and 65.6% were Non-Hispanic White. Gay men reported higher sleep duration ( B 0.27 [0.07]) relative to heterosexual men. However, WHtr and diastolic BP did not differ between gay and heterosexual men. No differences in sleep duration or diastolic BP were found between sexual minority and heterosexual women. Bisexual women had a higher systolic BP ( B 1.64 [0.70]) and WHtr ( B 0.02 [0.01]) than heterosexual women, but these associations were not mediated by sleep duration. Compared to heterosexual men, sleep duration partially mediated the associations of sexual identity with diastolic BP ( B - 0.12 [0.05]) and WHtr ( B - 0.01 [0.01]) in gay men. Conclusion: This is the first study to assess the associations of sexual identity, sleep duration, and an objectively measured marker of CVD risk in a nationally representative sample of US adults. We found that bisexual women had higher systolic BP and WHtr than heterosexual women and that higher sleep duration was associated with lower diastolic BP and WHtr in gay men. Findings can inform future studies investigating the interplay between sexual identity, sleep duration, and CVD risk in adults.

Physical activity and cardiometabolic health in adolescents with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionYouth living with type 2 diabetes display increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is unclear if regular physical activity (PA) modifies this risk.Research design and methodsWe compared CVD risk...

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Risk Assessment in Patients with Lichen Planus: A Tertiary Care Hospital-based Study from Northern India.

Background:The association between lichen planus (LP) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors has been demonstrated in previous reports. However, the evidence of CVD risk factors in Indian patients with LP is limited.Objective:To compare CVD risk factors in LP patients and healthy controls.Methods:We performed a cross-sectional study on 122 subjects, 61 LP patients, and 61 controls who visited the outpatient clinic of the dermatology department of a tertiary care hospital. Patients with skin diseases known to be associated with CV risk, pregnant, and lactating women were excluded from the study. CVD risk factors were compared between LP cases and controls using anthropometric measures, hemodynamic and metabolic parameters, and inflammatory marker (ESR).Results:The proportion of metabolic syndrome (MS) was significantly higher in LP patients than the controls (29.5% vs. 9.8%, odds ratio [OR] 3.83; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.40–10.50; P = 0.006). The proportion of dyslipidemia was also significantly higher in LP patients (70.5% vs. 42.6%; P = 0.002). LP patients had a high proportion of obesity (P = 0.004), hypertension (P = 0.004), impaired fasting glucose (P = 0.025), and raised ESR (P = 0.006) as compared to controls. A multivariate regression model demonstrated that dyslipidemia and obesity were significantly associated with LP even after controlling for confounders such as age, gender, sedentarism, dietary habits, alcohol, and impaired fasting glucose. There was no significant association between the extent of LP and the proportion of MS or dyslipidemia.Conclusion:The present study found a significant association of LP with individual CVD risk factors as well as MS.

1426-P: Type 1 Diabetes Pregnancies Complicated by Hypertensive Disorders

Women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at higher risk for Gestational Hypertensive Disorders (GHD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to women without diabetes. However, the long-term consequences of GHD complicated by T1D on CVD are unknown. We compared CVD risk factors pre-pregnancy (median follow-up 3 years, IQR 2-4 years) to post-pregnancy (median 2 years, IQR 1-3 years) excluding six weeks post-partum in women with T1D with a first pregnancy complicated by GHD (n=27) vs. those with an uncomplicated pregnancy (n=49), frequency matched for age (mean age 25 years) and diabetes duration (mean duration 12 years). Linear mixed models adjusted for age, diabetes duration, and weeks gestation were used to examine CVD risk factors. Pre-pregnancy, the groups did not differ in age, diabetes duration, body mass index (BMI), lipids, systolic or diastolic blood pressure (BP) (Table). A1c was higher pre-pregnancy in the complicated vs. uncomplicated group (p=0.004); post-pregnancy there was no change in the complicated group but an increase in A1c in the uncomplicated group (p=0.003). Complicated pregnancies resulted in increased systolic (p=0.001) and diastolic BP (p=0.01) post-pregnancy; uncomplicated pregnancies were not associated with significant changes in BP. Women with T1D and a pregnancy complicated by GHD had similar BP but higher A1c pre-pregnancy, and persistently higher BP post-pregnancy, suggesting a need to intervene to prevent CVD. Disclosure J.K. Snell-Bergeon: None. L. Pyle: None. R.M. Sippl: None. S. Polsky: Consultant; Self; Jaeb Center for Health Research. Research Support; Self; Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, Children's Diabetes Foundation, Dexcom, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, JDRF, Leona &amp; Harry Helmsley Charitable Trust, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Sanofi US. Funding American Diabetes Association (7-13-CD-10 to J.K.S-B.)

Post-trauma cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis in young adults following the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina

ABSTRACT Background: Risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been associated with stress from serving in a war, but it has not been established whether children who experience war-related stress are at increased CVD risk. Objective: This study aimed to compare CVD risk factors in young adults according to whether they experienced traumatic events as children during the 1990–1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and whether those exposed to trauma have evidence of subclinical atherosclerosis. Method: We examined 372 first-year medical students who were preschool children during the war (1990–1995) (average age 19.5 ± 1.7 years, 67% female) in 2007–2010. They completed the Semi-Structured Interview for Survivors of War. CVD risk factors and carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) measurements were obtained and compared in individuals with and without trauma. We also examined whether increased CIMT was independently associated with trauma after adjustment for other risk factors. Results: From multiple logistic regression, only elevated triglycerides (> 1.7 mmol/l) were associated with a 5.2 greater odds of having experienced trauma. The mean CIMT of subjects with trauma was greater than that of non-trauma-exposed subjects (0.53 mm vs 0.50 mm, p = 0.07). Moreover, trauma was independently associated with higher CIMT (difference = 0.036 mm, p = 0.024) after adjustment for CVD risk factors. Conclusions: We show that most CVD risk factors are associated with post-war trauma in young adults, and, if present, such trauma is associated with higher triglycerides and higher levels of CIMT in multivariable analysis.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Offspring of Preeclamptic Pregnancies—Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

To evaluate evidence for increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in children exposed to preeclampsia in utero. PubMed, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE electronic databases were searched with an end of search date of June 4, 2018. Prospective and retrospective studies that compared CVD risk factors in those exposed to preeclampsia in utero with controls were eligible. Information was extracted on established CVD risk factors, including blood pressure, lipid profile, blood glucose, fasting insulin, body mass index, and endothelial/microvascular function. Thirty-six studies provided cumulated data on 53 029 individuals. In utero exposure to preeclampsia was associated with 5.17mm Hg (95% CI 1.60-8.73) greater mean systolic, 4.06mm Hg (95% CI 0.67-7.44) greater mean diastolic blood pressure, and 0.36kg/m2 (95% CI 0.04-0.68) greater mean body mass index during childhood or young adulthood. No significant association was seen between exposure to preeclampsia in utero and other CVD risk factors. Offspring of preeclamptic pregnancies demonstrate risk factors for CVD during childhood and young adult life. Early blood pressure screening of children born after preeclamptic pregnancies may identify those that require interventions or preventive strategies to reduce later life CVD risk.

Metabolic syndrome among adults living with sickle cell disease

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and all-cause mortality. MetS prevalence among adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) is not well known. We report initial findings from a cross-sectional study that examined MetS risk factors within a cohort of adults living with SCD.50 adult SCD participants (ages 21–66 years; 72% female) completed demographic and health behavior surveys, health-related family and personal histories, and anthropometric and laboratory measurements. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarize and compare CVD risk factors, stratified in separate analyses by SCD genotype and sex.Triglyceride, blood pressure, and fasting glucose levels were within normal limits. 78% of the cohort reported moderate to high physical activity. However, 46% of this cohort was overweight and dietary saturated fat intake exceeded both the national average (11%) and US Dietary Guidelines (<10%). 14.3% of the cohort fulfilled criteria for MetS with large waist circumference and reduced HDL levels prominently accounting for this status.We evaluated the prevalence of MetS in a cohort of adults living with SCD. Our findings suggest that increased attention to eating habits and physical activity may generate new approaches for decreasing cardiovascular morbidity in SCD.

Adopting, Abandoning, and Re‐adopting Healthy Eating Patterns Sends Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors on a Rollercoaster Ride

The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourages people to adopt a healthy eating pattern (HEP) for disease prevention. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the Mediterranean‐Style Eating Pattern (Med) are representative of HEPs and are known to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Unfortunately, for many Americans it is difficult to sustain a HEP long term which may result in alternating HEP periods. The short term impact of this type of dietary rollercoaster on CVD risk factors requires investigation. The objective of this study was to assess changes in CVD risk factors when subjects adopt, abandon, and then re‐adopt HEPs using data from two previous randomized crossover controlled feeding studies. We hypothesized that subjects would be less responsive to HEP‐induced improvements in CVD risk factors after abandonment of the DASH or Med diet. Subjects in study (S) 1 (n=15) consumed a DASH diet for two 6‐wk periods and subjects in S 2 (n=38) consumed a Med diet for two 5‐wk periods. The first and second HEP periods of both studies were separated by a washout period (mean=5 wk, median=4 wk). Subjects in both studies consumed the HEP during both periods which differed by the amount of red meat. Clinical measures of CVD risk (fasted and 24‐h ambulatory blood pressures (BPs) and blood lipoprotein concentrations) were assessed at baseline and during the last week (post) of each HEP period. The combined age and BMI of subjects (n=53, 19 M, 34 F) was 50 ± 2 y and 31 ± 1 kg/m2, respectively. A mixed effects ANOVA with doubly repeated measures was performed with a SAS glimmix procedure. The model assessed the main effect of S (1 vs 2), diet (high vs low red meat), time (pre vs post), period order, and interactions with a random subject effect. Data are shown as LS mean ± SEM adjusted for age, sex, and body mass. Post hoc analyses were performed using lsmestimate statements to compare CVD risk factors at each chronological time point (pre period 1, post period 1, pre period 2, post period 2), and the change magnitude using a Bonferroni adjustment. Only a main effect of time was observed. Adopting, abandoning, and re‐adopting HEPs decreased, increased, and then decreased indexes of CVD risk. Examples include total 24‐h systolic BP (−5 ± 2, 7 ± 3, and −7 ± 2 mm Hg, respectively) and total cholesterol (TC) (−18 ± 4, 26 ± 8, and −13 ± 4 mg/dL, respectively). Comparable patterns of change occurred for fasted supine systolic and diastolic BPs and LDL and HDL cholesterols but not TC:HDL. The magnitude of changes in CVD risk factors after adopting, abandoning, and re‐adopting the healthy eating pattern were not different. These results show that the cardiovascular benefits of adopting HEPs occur quickly, but are short‐lived when less HEPs are re‐established. Re‐adopting a HEP after lapsing from previous consumption does not blunt re‐gaining improvements in CVD risk factors. These findings support the importance of consistently consuming a healthy eating pattern for cardiovascular health, in part, because clinical CVD risk factors are sensitive to short‐term eating changes.Support or Funding InformationPork Checkoff (S 1 and 2), Beef Checkoff (S 2), NIH UL1TR001108 (S 1 and 2), USDA 2011‐38420‐20038 (S1), and NIH 5T32DK076540‐08 (S 2)

Cardiovascular Risk in HIV-Infected and Uninfected Postmenopausal Minority Women: Use of the Framingham Risk Score.

To characterize and compare cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in HIV-infected and uninfected postmenopausal minority women using the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) as an assessment measure. A cross-sectional analysis was performed in 152 (109 HIV+, 43 HIV-) subjects from an existing study cohort of postmenopausal Hispanic and African American women. Data necessary to calculate FRS and menopause features were retrieved by retrospective chart review. Bivariate statistics was used to compare CVD risk factors. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine factors associated with FRS in HIV-infected women. The HIV-infected group was younger, less obese, and with lower rates of diabetes versus controls. In a subset of age-matched participants, median FRS did not differ between groups (14.6 [IQR = 9.1, 21.6] vs. 15.5 [IQR = 12.3, 22.1]; p = 0.73). Fourteen percent of HIV-infected women meeting criteria for the low-risk FRS category (<10%) had a history of CVD, a similar rate as controls. HIV-infected women at intermediate/high CVD risk had higher rates of surgical menopause. According to 2013 clinical guidelines, more than half of HIV-infected women not prescribed statin therapy (52%) were eligible for treatment; however, statin therapy was similarly under-prescribed in uninfected women. In this study, CVD risk as assessed by the FRS was not significantly different by HIV status. Performance of the FRS may be compromised in postmenopausal HIV-infected minority women. HIV-infected and uninfected women may be undertreated with statin therapy. Large longitudinal cohorts and inclusion of subclinical measures of CVD are necessary to better characterize risk.

Influences of gender on cardiovascular disease risk factors in adolescents with and without type 1 diabetes.

BackgroundWomen with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have a four-fold increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to non-diabetic (non-DM) women, as opposed to double the risk in T1D men compared to non-DM men. It is unclear how early in life CVD risk differences begin in T1D females. Therefore, our objective was to compare CVD risk factors in adolescents with and without T1D to determine the effects of gender on CVD risk factors.MethodsThe study included 300 subjects with T1D (age 15.4±2.1 years, 50 % male, 80 % non-Hispanic White (NHW), glycated hemoglobin (A1c) 8.9±1.6 %, diabetes duration 8.8±3.0 years, BMI Z-score 0.62±0.77) and 100non-DM controls (age 15.4±2.1 years, 47 % male, 69 % NHW, BMI Z-score 0.29±1.04). CVD risk factors were compared by diabetes status and gender. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to determine if relationships between diabetes status and CVD risk factors differed by gender independent of differences in A1c and BMI.ResultsDifferences in CVD risk factors between T1D subjects and non-DM controls were more pronounced in girls. Compared to boys with T1D and non-DM girls, T1D girls had higher A1c (9.0 % vs. 8.6 % and 5.1 %, respectively), BMI Z-score (0.70 vs. 0.47 and 0.27), LDL-c (95 vs. 82 and 81 mg/dL), total cholesterol (171 vs. 153 and 150 mg/dL), DBP (68 vs. 67 and 63 mmHg), and hs-CRP (1.15 vs. 0.57 and 0.54 mg/dL) after adjusting for Tanner stage, smoking status, and race/ethnicity (p <0.05 for all). In T1D girls, differences in lipids, DBP, and hs-CRP persisted even after adjusting for centered A1c and BMI Z-score.Testing interactions between gender and T1D with CVD risk factors indicated that differences were greater between girls with T1D and non-DM compared to differences between boys with T1D and non-DM. Overall, observed increases in CVD risk factors in T1D girls remained after further adjustment for centered A1c or BMI Z-score.ConclusionsInterventions targeting CVD risk factors in addition to lowering HbA1c and maintaining healthy BMI are needed for youth with T1D. The increased CVD risk factors seen in adolescent girls with T1D in particular argues for earlier intervention to prevent later increased risk of CVD in women with T1D.

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease across the spectrum of older age: The Cardiovascular Health Study

Objective: The associations of some risk factors with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are attenuated in older age; whereas others appear robust. The present study aimed to compare CVD risk factors across older age. Methods: Participants (n = 4883) in the Cardiovascular Health Study free of prevalent CVD, were stratified into three age groups: 65–74, 75–84, 85+ years. Traditional risk factors included systolic blood pressure (BP), LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes. Novel risk factors included kidney function, C-reactive protein (CRP), and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP). Results: There were 1498 composite CVD events (stroke, myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular death) over 5 years. The associations of high systolic BP and diabetes appeared strongest, though both were attenuated with age (p-values for interaction = 0.01 and 0.002, respectively). The demographic-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for elevated systolic BP were 1.79 (95% confidence interval: 1.49, 2.15), 1.59 (1.37, 1.85) and 1.10 (0.86, 1.41) in participants aged 65–74, 75–84, 85+, and for diabetes, 2.36 (1.89, 2.95), 1.55 (1.27, 1.89), 1.51 (1.10, 2.09). The novel risk factors had consistent associations with the outcome across the age spectrum; low kidney function: 1.69 (1.31, 2.19), 1.61 (1.36, 1.90), and 1.57 (1.16, 2.14) for 65–74, 75–84, and 85+ years, respectively; elevated CRP: 1.54 (1.28, 1.87), 1.33 (1.13, 1.55), and 1.51 (1.15, 1.97); elevated NT pro-BNP: 2.67 (1.96, 3.64), 2.71 (2.25, 3.27), and 2.18 (1.43, 3.45). Conclusions: The associations of most traditional risk factors with CVD were minimal in the oldest old, whereas diabetes, eGFR, CRP, and NT pro-BNP were associated with CVD across older age.

Use of the plasma triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio to identify cardiovascular disease in hypertensive subjects

This analysis evaluated the hypothesis that the plasma triglyceride (TG)/high–density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration ratio can help identify patients with essential hypertension who are insulin–resistant, with the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profile associated with that defect. Data from a community–based study developed between 2003 and 2012 were used to compare CVD risk factors and outcome. Plasma TG/HDL-C cut–points of 2.5 (women) and 3.5 (men) subdivided normotensive (n = 574) and hypertensive (n = 373) subjects into “high” and “low” risk groups. Metabolic syndrome criteria (MetS) were also used to identify “high” and “low” risk groups. The baseline cardio–metabolic profile was significantly more adverse in 2003 in “high” risk subgroups, irrespective of BP classification or definition of risk (TG/HDL-C ratio vs. MetS criteria). Crude incidence of combined CVD events increased across risk groups, ranging from 1.9 in normotensive–low TG/HDL-C subjects to 19.9 in hypertensive–high TG/HDL-C ratio individuals (P for trends <.001). Adjusted hazard ratios for CVD events also increased with both hypertension and TG/HDL-C. Comparable findings were seen when CVD outcome was predicted by MetS criteria. The TG/HDL-C concentration ratio and the MetS criteria identify to a comparable degree hypertensive subjects who are at greatest cardio–metabolic risk and develop significantly more CVD.

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease among Mexican-American adults in the United States and Mexico: a comparative study

To compare cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in a cohort of Mexican health workers with representative samples of US-born and Mexico-born Mexican-Americans living in the US. Data were obtained from the Mexican Health Worker Cohort Study (MHWCS) in Mexico and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) IV 1999-2006 in the US. Regression analyses were used to investigate CVD risk factors. In adjusted analyses, NHANES participants were more likely than MHWCS participants to have hypertension, high total cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and abdominal obesity, and were less likely to have low HDL cholesterol and smoke. Less-educated men and women were more likely to have low HDL cholesterol, obesity, and abdominal obesity. In this binational study, men and women enrolled in the MHWCS appear to have fewer CVD risk factors than US-born and Mexico-born Mexican-American men and women living in the US.

The Association Between Major Depressive Disorder in Childhood and Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease in Adolescence

Depression in adults is associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is unclear, however, when the association between clinical depression and cardiac risk factors develops or how early in life this association can be detected. In an ongoing study of pediatric depression, we compared CVD risk factors including smoking, obesity, physical activity level, sedentary behavior, and parental history of CVD across three samples of adolescents: probands with established histories of childhood-onset major depressive disorder (n = 210), never-depressed siblings of probands (n = 195), and controls with no history of any major psychiatric disorder (n = 161). When assessed during adolescence, 85% of the probands were not in a major depressive episode. Nevertheless, at that assessment, probands had a higher prevalence of regular smoking (odds ratio [OR] = 12.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.36-36.12) and were less physically active than controls (OR = 0.59, CI = 0.43-0.81) and siblings (OR = 0.70, CI = 0.52-0.94) and had a higher rate of obesity than did controls (OR = 3.67, CI = 1.42-9.52). Parents of probands reported high rates of CVD (significantly higher than did parents of controls), including myocardial infarction and CVD-related hospitalization (ORs = 1.62-4.36, CIs = 1.03-15.40). Differences in CVD risk factors between probands and controls were independent of parental CVD. Major depression in childhood is associated with an unfavorable CVD risk profile in adolescence, and risks for pediatric depression and CVD may coincide in families. Effective prevention and treatment of childhood depression may be a means to reduce the incidence of adult CVD.