Disease Risk Factors In Women Research Articles

Effects of Nutrition Education with Intervention Mapping on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Women with Borderline Dyslipidemia: Analysis According to Menopausal Status.

Menopause causes hormonal, physical, and psychological changes that are associated with an increase in risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study examined the effects of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) on CVD risk factors in pre- and post-menopausal women with borderline dyslipidemia in Korea. In total, 76 participants were divided into the MNT and control groups. MNT was performed for 12 weeks using intervention mapping with consideration of weight, blood lipid levels, and dietary assessment results. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements and dietary intake were analyzed. The dietary energy and cholesterol intake, waist circumference (WC), blood triacylglycerol and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and atherogenic index (AI) of the pre-menopausal MNT group decreased significantly after the intervention. Moreover, dietary cholesterol intake, WC, waist-to-hip ratio, body fat percentage, total blood cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein to high-density lipoprotein ratio, and AI decreased significantly in the post-menopausal MNT group after the intervention. MNT for 12 weeks is effective in decreasing risk factors associated with CVD in Korean women with borderline dyslipidemia, and the effects differ between pre- and post-menopausal women.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Women: The Impact of Race and Ethnicity: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, yet differences exist among certain racial and ethnic groups. Aside from traditional risk factors, behavioral and environmental factors and social determinants of health affect cardiovascular health and risk in women. Language barriers, discrimination, acculturation, and health care access disproportionately affect women of underrepresented races and ethnicities. These factors result in a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease and significant challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular conditions. Culturally sensitive, peer-led community and health care professional education is a necessary step in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Equitable access to evidence-based cardiovascular preventive health care should be available for all women regardless of race and ethnicity; however, these guidelines are not equally incorporated into clinical practice. This scientific statement reviews the current evidence on racial and ethnic differences in cardiovascular risk factors and current cardiovascular preventive therapies for women in the United States.

Cardiovascular Disease−Related Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalization among Women with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

The risk of developing cardiovascular disease is higher for women who had hypertensive disorders of pregnancy than for women without a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. However, it is unknown whether the emergency department visits and hospitalization differ between women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and women without hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare cardiovascular disease-related emergency department visits, hospitalization rates, and diagnoses in women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with those in women without. This study included participants from the California Teachers Study (N=58,718) with a history of pregnancy and data from 1995 through 2020. Incidence of cardiovascular disease-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations based on linkages with hospital records were modeled using multivariable negative binomial regression. Data were analyzed in 2022. A total of 5% of the women had a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (5.4%, 95% CI=5.2%, 5.6). A total of 31% of women had 1 or more cardiovascular disease-related emergency department visits (30.9%), and 30.1% had 1 or more hospitalizations. The incidence of cardiovascular disease-related emergency department visits (adjusted incident rate ratio=8.96, p<0.001) and hospitalizations (adjusted incident rate ratio=8.88, p<0.001) were significantly higher for women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy than for those without, adjusting for other related characteristics of the women. History of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is associated with higher cardiovascular disease-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations. These findings underscore the potential burden on women and the healthcare system of managing complications associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Evaluating and managing cardiovascular disease risk factors in women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is necessary to avoid cardiovascular disease-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations in this group.

Supervised Aerobic Exercise Training and Increased Lifestyle Physical Activity to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk for Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex, heterogeneous endocrinopathy. Women with PCOS often present with cardiovascular disease risk factors. Physical activity (PA) interventions reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors in women with PCOS. However, sedentary behaviors have a distinct deleterious effect on cardiometabolic health. Increasing PA and reducing sedentary behaviors may be a worthwhile therapeutic target to improve cardiovascular health in this population. This study investigated the feasibility of 2 PA interventions to decrease cardiovascular disease risk in women with PCOS. This was a feasibility randomized controlled trial of 2 PA interventions in 36 women with PCOS. Participants were randomized to a supervised exercise intervention (n = 12), a lifestyle physical activity group intervention aimed at reducing sedentary behaviors (n = 12), or a control group (n = 12), for 12weeks. Primary outcomes included the feasibility and acceptability of the interventions and procedures. Recruitment rate was 56%. Adherence rate was 53% and 100% to the exercise intervention and lifestyle PA intervention, respectively. Secondary outcome data indicate a reduction in oxidized low-density lipoprotein concentrations in the exercise group, and weight loss in both intervention groups. The procedures for recruitment, allocation, and outcome measurements were acceptable. However, before progression to a full-scale trial, adherence to the exercise program should be addressed.

Association of mammographic density and benign breast calcifications individually or combined with hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia in women ≥40 years of age: a retrospective study

Recent evidence has linked certain mammographic characteristics, including breast calcifications (Bcs) and mammographic density (MD), with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factors in women, but data are limited and inconsistent. We...

Relative Handgrip Strength as Marker of Cardiometabolic Risk in Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

This study aimed to examine the association of relative handgrip strength (rHGS) with cardiometabolic disease risk factors in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: Seventy-seven women with SLE (mean age 43.2, SD 13.8) and clinical stability during the previous six months were included. Handgrip strength was assessed with a digital dynamometer and rHGS was defined as absolute handgrip strength (aHGS) divided by body mass index (BMI). We measured blood pressure, markers of lipid and glucose metabolism, inflammation (high sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]), arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity [PWV]), and renal function. A clustered cardiometabolic risk index (z-score) was computed. Results: Pearson′s bivariate correlations revealed that higher rHGS was associated with lower systolic blood pressure (SBP), triglycerides, hs-CRP, PWV, and lower clustered cardiometabolic risk (rrange = from −0.43 to −0.23; all p < 0.05). Multivariable linear regression analyses adjusted for age, disease activity (SLEDAI), and accrual damage (SDI) confirmed these results (all p < 0.05) except for triglycerides. Conclusions: The findings suggest that higher rHGS is significantly associated with lower cardiometabolic risk in women with SLE.

Onset of cardiovascular disease risk factors in women with and without a history of breast cancer: The Pathways Heart Study.

12017 Background: Women with a history of breast cancer (BC) are at increased long-term risk of dying from cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the onset of CVD risk factors in women with BC has not been well-described. We compared risk of incident CVD risk factors in women with and without BC enrolled in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) integrated health system. Methods: Data were extracted from KPNC electronic health records. All invasive BC cases diagnosed between 2005-2013 were identified and matched 1:5 with controls on birth year, race/ethnicity and KPNC membership at the date of BC diagnosis. Cox regression models assessed the hazard of incident hypertension (based on diagnosis codes and filled prescriptions), dyslipidemia (based on diagnosis codes, filled prescriptions, and lab values), and diabetes (KPNC Diabetes Registry). Models were adjusted for baseline BMI, menopausal status, smoking status, neighborhood median household income, education, prevalent CVD conditions, and other baseline CVD risk factors. Subgroups of women who received chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and endocrine therapy were compared with controls. Results: A total of 14,942 women with a new diagnosis of invasive BC were identified and matched to 74,702 controls. On average, women were 62.0 years, 28.3 kg/m2BMI, 64.9% non-Hispanic white. Overall, cases were more likely to develop hypertension (HR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.24) and diabetes (HR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.31). Across the board, receipt of any of the three therapies (chemotherapy, radiation therapy and endocrine therapy) was associated with increased risk of hypertension and diabetes, compared to controls. Risk-factor specific hazard ratios for receipt of chemotherapy were (HR 1.18, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.27) and (HR 1.38, 95% CI: 1.26, 1.51), for hypertension and diabetes, respectively. For receipt of radiation therapy, risk-factor specific hazard ratios were (HR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.26) and (HR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.27), for hypertension and diabetes, respectively. Risk-factor specific hazard ratios for receipt of endocrine therapy were (HR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.30) and (HR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.27), for hypertension and diabetes, respectively. Conclusions: The risk of developing hypertension and diabetes is increased in women with BC who received chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or endocrine therapy. Future studies should examine the roles of CVD risk factor diagnosis and management on cardiometabolic risk in women with a BC history.

An interdisciplinary approach to the problem of gallstone disease in women: a view of a gynecologist

The article presents the modern view on pathogenetic mechanisms of the cholelithiasis development in women, illustrated by clinical observations. Gender-associated risk factors for cholelithiasis are pregnancy and childbirth, female sex hormones administration and polycystic ovary syndrome. The gallstone disease risk factors in women taking hormonal oral contraceptives and menopausal hormone therapy are hereditary predisposition, impaired lipid, carbohydrate metabolism and functional gallbladder disorders. Patients at high risk of developing cholelithiasis are recommended to perform a gallbladder ultrasound examination before and during hormonal therapy. The ursodeoxycholic acid treatment is safe, effective and compatible with female sex hormone administration in patients with detected biliary sludge.

Are all Sedentary Behaviors Equal? An Examination of Sedentary Behavior and Associations with Indicators of Disease Risk Factors in Women.

Sedentary behavior increases risk for non-communicable diseases; associations may differ within different contexts (e.g., leisure time, occupational). This study examined associations between different types of sedentary behavior and disease risk factors in women, using objectively measured accelerometer-derived sedentary data. A validation study (n = 20 women) classified sedentary behavior into four categories: lying down; sitting (non-active); sitting (active); standing. A cross-sectional study (n = 348 women) examined associations between these classifications and disease risk factors (body composition, metabolic, inflammatory, blood lipid variables). Participants spent an average of 7 h 42 min per day in sedentary behavior; 58% of that time was classified as non-active sitting and 26% as active sitting. Non-active sitting showed significant (p ≤ 0.001) positive correlations with BMI (r = 0.244), body fat percent (r = 0.216), body mass (r = 0.236), fat mass (r = 0.241), leptin (r = 0.237), and negative correlations with HDL-cholesterol (r = −0.117, p = 0.031). Conversely, active sitting was significantly (p ≤ 0.001) negatively correlated with BMI (r = −0.300), body fat percent (r = −0.249), body mass (r = −0.305), fat mass (r = −0.320), leptin (r = −0.259), and positively correlated with HDL-cholesterol (r = 0.115, p = 0.035). In summary, sedentary behavior can be stratified using objectively measured accelerometer-derived activity data. Subsequently, different types of sedentary behaviors may differentially influence disease risk factors. Public health initiatives should account for sedentary classifications when developing sedentary behavior recommendations.

Analysis of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Women.

AIM:Study the cardiovascular risk factors in a feminine population vulnerable to cardiovascular events particularly to evaluate the principal factors or possible confounding variables.METHODS:This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Were analysed all the female patients from the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Institute of Sports Medicine of Caxias do Sul who had the complete information on cardiovascular disease history, comorbidities and habits and who knew the complete gynaecological history by a phone interview.RESULTS:A group of 91 patients were analysed. About the comorbidities and habits, 45.2% of these patients presented some tobacco load, 82.4% are hypertensive, 61.5% are dyslipidemic, 25.3% are diabetic and the BMI average was 29.27 (overweight). Between the patients who undergone a hysterectomy and had an episode of the acute coronary syndrome (10 patients), 70% had the event after the procedure. Between the post-menopause women with at least one episode of the acute coronary syndrome, 80.5% (33 patients) had the first event after the menopause.CONCLUSION:We found multiple lifetime risk factors that predisposed the women of the sample to have cardiovascular disease. Between the women with specific to women risk factors and without, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease was very similar. This information supports the idea that these are just confounding factors of CVD and the principals involved are the genetic factors and habits. For this reason, the focus of CVD prevention and treatment should be directed towards these aspects.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and cardiovascular disease risk factors in women with excessive weight gain during pregnancy and in their offspring at age 5-6 years.

Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels [25(OH)D] may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In pregnant women excessive weight gain and 25(OH)D deficiency are common complications and both could have deleterious consequences on their children. We aimed to study the relationship between serum 25(OH)D and CVD risk factors in pregnant women and in their offspring at school age. Fasting serum 25(OH)D and its bioavailable fraction were quantified in 310 healthy pregnant women [with adequate (n = 113), insufficient (n = 113) and excessive (n = 84) weight gain]. A follow-up at 5-6 yearswas performed in sixty-six children born of these mothers. Lipids, insulin, glucose, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured in all subjects. Children's carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) together with visceral and intra-abdominal fat were measured by ultrasonography. Lower maternal 25(OH)D concentrations were associated with lower maternal age, and higher body mass index, triglycerides and hsCRP (all p < 0.05). In women with excessive weight gain during gestation, serum 25(OH)D concentrations showed independent associations with maternal hsCRP (β = -0.283 p = 0.03) and triglycerides (β = -0.436, p = 0.005). Maternal serum 25(OH)D concentrations were also independently associated with cIMT (β = -0.288, p = 0.04), visceral fat (β = -0.281, p = 0.01) and intra-abdominal fat (β = -0.248, p = 0.01) in their children at 5-6 years. Lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations were related to CVD risk factors in pregnant woman and in their offspring. The cardiometabolic consequences of low 25(OH)D concentrations during pregnancy could be aggravated by excessive weight gain during gestation.

Knowledge if Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Women Aged 70-20 Years with Diabetes Mellitus at a Central Hospital in Zimbabwe

The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors in women aged 20 to 70 years with diabetes mellitus at a central hospital in Zimbabwe. A purposive sample of 67 women with diabetes mellitus, attending a diabetes clinic participated. An interview schedule, comprising of sixteen risk factors, adopted from the 25 item Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire and eight items, derived from literature, was used to measure heart disease risk factor knowledge and the link between diabetes and heart disease. Descriptive statistics, Pearson product moment correlation test and regression analysis were used to analyze data, at a significance level of < 0.05. Knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors was low (mean score = 13.4, SD = 5.7, range 0-21 out of 24), compared to earlier findings among Spanish speakers with diabetes mellitus (mean score = 17,5, SD = 5, range 0-24). Only residence was predictive of knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors (r = 0,308, p <.05. Thus residence is associated with increased knowledge. The effect of residence (R2 =. 095, F = 6.811, p = <. 05), explained 9.5% of the variance in knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors. The results showed that women with diabetes had low knowledge of established cardiovascular disease risk factors, mainly diet, family history and smoking. Provision of culturally relevant education should be prioritized to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in women with diabetes in Zimbabwe.

A Combination of Prebiotic Inulin and Oligofructose Improve Some of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Women with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

This trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of oligofructose-enriched inulin on some of cardiovascular disease risk factors in women with type 2 diabetes. 52 females (25<BMI<35 kg/m2) with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to two groups. Participants received 10g/d oligofructose-enriched inulin (n=27) or 10g/d placebo (n=25) for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken to measure metabolic profiles, malondialdehyd and antioxidant enzymes at baseline and after the 8 weeks intervention. Paired, unpaired sample t-test and analysis of covariance were used to comparison of quantitative variables. After 8 weeks, in the oligofructose-enriched inulin group there was a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (0.2 mmol/l, 20.0%) and a significant decrease in fasting plasma glucose (19.2 mg/dL, 9.4%) HbA1c (0.5%, 8.4%), total cholesterol (TC) (28.0 mg/dL, 14.1%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (22.0 mg/dL, 21.7%), TC/HDL-c ratio (0.73, 20.7%), LDL-c/HDL-c ratio (0.55, 27.5%) and malondialdehyd (1.7 nmol/ml, 39.7%) compared to the placebo group. Changes in concentrations of triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were not significant in oligofructose-enriched inulin group compared to the placebo group. Oligofructose-enriched inulin may improve glycemic indices, lipid profile, antioxidant status and malondialdehyd in women with type 2 diabetes.

Relationship between Neck Length, Sleep, and Psychiatric Disorders: A Psychiatric Aspect.

Dear Editor, We read with great interest the article by Han and colleagues, entitled Relationship between neck length, sleep, and cardiovascular risk factors, in which the investigators explored the association of neck length with sleep and cardiovascular risk factors by measuring midline neck length (MNL) and lateral neck length. They showed that a short neck, as measured by the MNL, is probably associated with snoring, and also that MNL is related to cardiovascular disease risk factors in women. 1) However, we believe that some points warrant discussion. Sleep and psychiatric disorders are often concurrent, and untreated sleep disorders can increase the risk of developing psychiatric conditions.2,3) The most common psychiatric disorders associated with sleep complaints include depression, anxiety, and substance (illicit drug and alcohol) abuse.3,4) The researchers examined 240 patients aged 30 to 75 years who visited a health examination center. They excluded from the study patients with a history of depression or sleep disorders, or those currently on related medications.1) However, many psychiatric disorders, including alcohol/substance use disorders, affect all parameters of sleep, mainly including sleep latency and total sleep time.3,4) We believe that not only depression and sleep disorders, but also other psychiatric disorders, should have been excluded from the study. The researchers indicated that sleep latency, total sleep time, and the number of apneas were identified by a self-reporting questionnaire in the study.1) However, specific sleep parameters, such as sleep latency and the number of apneas, can be determined accurately with polysomnography.5,6) Findings from a list of questions are subjective and may lead to misinterpretation.6) In conclusion, although this study contributes valuable information to the medical literature, clarifying these concerns will certainly provide a clearer picture.

Relationship between Neck Length, Sleep, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors.

BackgroundNeck circumference, as a predicator of obesity, is a well-known risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular diseases. However, little research exists on neck length associated with these factors. This study explored the association of neck length with sleep and cardiovascular risk factors by measuring midline neck length (MNL) and lateral neck length (LNL).MethodsWe examined 240 patients aged 30 to 75 years who visited a health check-up center between January 2012 and July 2012. Patients with depressive disorder or sleep disturbance were excluded from this study. MNL from the upper margin of the hyoid bone to the jugular notch and LNL from the mandibular angle to the mid-portion of the ipsilateral clavicle were measured twice and were adjusted by height to determine their relationship with sleep and cardiovascular disease risk factors.ResultsHabitual snorers had shorter LNL height ratios (P = 0.011), MNL height ratios in men (P = 0.062), and MNL height ratios in women (P = 0.052). Those snoring bad enough to annoy others had shorter MNL height ratios in men (P = 0.083) and women (P = 0.035). Men with objective sleep apnea had longer distances from the mandible to the hyoid bone to the mandible (P = 0.057). Men with metabolic syndrome had significantly shorter LNL height ratios (P = 0.021), and women with diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and metabolic syndrome had shorter MNL height ratios (P < 0.05).ConclusionThis study shows that a short neck by measuring the MNL is probably associated with snoring. In addition, MNL is related to cardiovascular disease risk factors in women.

Determining Information on Cardiology Disease Risk Factors of Disease in Women.

In an attempt to decrease the rate of mortality from cardiovascular diseases, first cardiovascular risk factors should be controlled. This study was carried out to reveal the level of knowledge about cardiovascular disease risk factors in women who presented to a primary healthcare center in Erzurum, Turkey, and the prevalence of such risk factors. Our study is a descriptive one and its data were collected between February and April 2013. The study included 168 women who presented to Filiz Dolunay Family Healthcare Center and who met the criteria and agreed to participate in the study. It was found that 22.6% of the women did not exercise at all above normal range, 53.6% of them had weights above normal, 23.8% smoked, and 22% had hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cholesterol, or excess fat around their waist. It was concluded that, although women were knowledgeable, they did not put this into practice in their lives.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Women With a History of Early-onset Preeclampsia

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Women With a History of Early-onset Preeclampsia

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Women With a History of Early-Onset Preeclampsia

To assess the prevalence of established cardiovascular disease risk factors and to estimate 10-year absolute risk of cardiovascular disease after early-onset preeclampsia. We assessed major cardiovascular disease risk factors in 243 primiparous women with a history of early-onset preeclampsia (delivery at less than 34 weeks of gestation) at least 6 months after delivery; 374 healthy nonpregnant women of similar age served as a reference group. After adjustment for age, we observed significantly higher means for body mass index, blood pressure, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and lower mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (all P<.01) in women with previous early-onset preeclampsia compared with the reference group. Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 15.2% compared with 4.3% (P<.001), two or more major cardiovascular disease risk factors were present in 51.0% compared with 26.5%, and three or more risk factors were present in 18.9% compared with 6.4%, respectively. Mean estimated 10-year cardiovascular disease risks by the Framingham Risk Score were 1.08% (95% confidence interval 1.04-1.12) and 1.01% (95% CI 1.00-1.01; P<.001) for the difference. Women with a history of early-onset preeclampsia have a high prevalence of several major cardiovascular disease risk factors. Although the estimated 10-year cardiovascular disease risk is low (less than 5%) after delivery, cardiovascular disease risk is expected to increase rapidly with increasing age. II.

Associations between healthy behaviors and coronary heart disease risk factors in women

Objectives: To describe the heart-healthy behaviors in a convenience sample of 210 women from a Midwestern state in the US and examine the associations between the behaviors and having risk factors to coronary heart disease. Methods: Logistic regression was used to examine the association between the behaviors of diet, exercise, and medication adherence with the risks of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, family history of heart disease, and cigarette smoking. Results: There were a low consumption of heart-healthy meals, inadequate exercise participation, and inadequate medications adherence. Having personal hyperlipidemia, a family history of heart disease, age and education were significantly associated with the behaviors. Conclusion: The findings point to the need for evidence-based education aimed at increasing women’s awareness of heart disease risks, improving their behaviors, and emphasizing the link between risk reduction and the behaviors.

The impact of race on metabolic disease risk factors in women with and without posttraumatic stress disorder.

The literature on PTSD and metabolic disease risk factors has been limited by lacking investigation of the potential influence of commonly comorbid disorders and the role of race. In this study data were provided by a sample of 134 women (63 PTSD and 71 without PTSD). Separate sets of models examining associations of psychiatric disorder classifications with metabolic disease risk factors were used. Each model included race (African American or Caucasian), psychiatric disorder, and their interaction. There was an interaction of race and PTSD on body mass index, abdominal obesity, and triglycerides. While PTSD was not generally associated with deleterious health effects in African American participants, PTSD was related to worse metabolic disease risk factors in Caucasians. MDD was associated with metabolic disease risk factors, but there were no interactions with race. Results support the importance of race in the relationship between PTSD and metabolic disease risk factors. Future research would benefit from analysis of cultural factors to explain how race might influence metabolic disease risk factors in PTSD.