A Pilot Study Exploring Biobehavioral, Psychosocial, and Demographic Factors Associated With Central Blood Pressure in Resettled Refugees in Syracuse, New York

OBJECTIVES: Exposure to stressful and life-threatening events before resettlement, coupled with the acculturation challenges of adjusting to an unfamiliar host country post-relocation, may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in refugees. This pilot study examined the association between psychosocial-demographic factors with central blood pressure (BP), an established independent predictor of CVD, among resettled refugees living in Syracuse, New York. METHODS: One hundred fifty-seven first-generation resettled refugees receiving primary care services in the ambulatory Adult Medicine Clinic at an academic institution were recruited for the study during their clinic visit. Central systolic BP and pulse pressure (PP) were measured from brachial pulse wave analysis using a validated cuff-based oscillometric device. The relationship between psychosocial-demographic factors and central BP measures was assessed using forward stepwise linear regression. RESULTS: Age (β = 0.25, 95% CI 0.10-0.40) and BMI (β = 0.77, 95% CI 0.39-1.16) were associated with an increased central systolic BP (p < 0.05). Age (β = 0.17, 95% CI 0.06-0.28) and BMI (β = 0.38, 95% CI 0.13-0.62) were also associated with an increased central PP (p < 0.05). Other psychosocial-demographic factors such as non-engagement in the workforce due to disability, smoking, alcohol use, mental health disorders, history of chronic disease, employment, and educational attainment were not associated with increased central BP. CONCLUSIONS: Among the various psychosocial-demographic CVD risk factors assessed in our study, traditional risk factors age and BMI were significant predictors of central BP in resettled refugees.