Key result
High cumulative negative affect linked to ~36% higher obesity prevalence among African American men.
Why the study?
Racial disparities in CVD are partly attributed to negative psychosocial factors, but little is known about the cumulative effects of individual psychosocial factors on CVD risk factors.
Do cumulative psychosocial factors increase the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in African Americans?
Cross-Sectional (n=5,306)
No
Do cumulative psychosocial factors increase the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in African Americans?
Effect estimate: PR 1.36 (95% CI 1.16-1.60)
Cumulative psychosocial factors are associated with higher prevalence of CVD risk factors and poorer disease management among African Americans, highlighting the need to address non-traditional risk factors.
Should not yet alter practice; leaves open whether targeting negative affect reduces obesity in African American men.
BACKGROUND: Racial disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been attributed in part to negative psychosocial factors. Prior studies have demonstrated associations between individual psychosocial factors and CVD risk factors, but little is known about their cumulative effects. METHODS: Using the Jackson Heart Study, we examined the cross-sectional associations of cumulative psychosocial factors with CVD risk factors among 5306 African Americans. We utilized multivariable Poisson regression to estimate sex-stratified prevalence ratios (PR 95% confidence interval-CI) of obesity, hypertension and diabetes prevalence and hypertension and diabetes control with negative affect (cynicism, anger-in, anger-out, depressive symptoms and cumulative negative affect) and stress (global stress, weekly stress, major life events-MLEs and cumulative stress), adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic status, and behaviors. RESULTS: After full adjustment, high (vs. low) cumulative negative affect was associated with prevalent obesity among men (PR 1.36 95% CI 1.16-1.60), while high (vs. low) cumulative stress was similarly associated with obesity among men and women (PR 1.24 95% CI 1.01-1.52 and PR 1.13 95% CI 1.03-1.23, respectively). Psychosocial factors were more strongly associated with prevalent hypertension and diabetes among men than women. For example, men who reported high cynicism had a 12% increased prevalence of hypertension (PR 1.12, 95% CI 1.03-1.23). Psychosocial factors were more strongly associated with lower hypertension and diabetes control for women than men. Women who reported high (vs. low) cynicism had a 38% lower prevalence of hypertension control (PR 0.62, 95% CI 0.46-0.84). CONCLUSIONS: Cumulative psychosocial factors were associated with CVD risk factors and disease management among African Americans. The joint accumulation of psychosocial factors was more associated with risk factors for men than women.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Sims et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiovascular disease risk factors (n=5,306). High cumulative negative affect vs. Low cumulative negative affect was evaluated on Prevalent obesity among men (PR 1.36, 95% CI 1.16-1.60). High cumulative negative affect was associated with a 36% increased prevalence of obesity among African American men (PR 1.36).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: