November 1, 2003Psychosomatic Medicine
Marital Status, Marital Quality, and Atherosclerotic Burden in Postmenopausal Women
Key result
Women in satisfying marriages had the least atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries and aorta after 11 to 14 years compared to those in low-satisfying marriages or unmarried women.
Why the study?
Does high marital quality reduce atherosclerotic burden in postmenopausal women compared to low marital quality or being unmarried?
Population
393 women from the Healthy Women Study, assessed at baseline when premenopausal and followed into…
Comparison
Satisfying marriage (high marital quality) vs Low-satisfying marriage and unmarried status
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
average 11 years (ultrasound) and 14 years (CT)
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
Marital quality may inform postmenopausal CVD risk assessment; leaves open whether improving satisfaction slows atherosclerosis progression.
Study Design
Type
Cohort (n=393)
Structured PICO
Does high marital quality reduce atherosclerotic burden in postmenopausal women compared to low marital quality or being unmarried?
P
Population
393 premenopausal women from the Healthy Women Study followed for an average of 11 to 14 years to assess the impact of marital quality and status on atherosclerotic burden.
E
Exposure
Satisfying marriage (high marital quality)
C
Comparator
Low-satisfying marriage and unmarried status
O
Outcome
Atherosclerotic burden (B-Mode ultrasound measures of intima-media thickness and plaque in the carotid arteries and electron beam computed tomography assessments of calcification in the aorta and coronary arteries)surrogate
High-quality marriages may protect against cardiovascular disease progression in women, highlighting the importance of assessing marital quality rather than just marital status.
Cite This Study
Gallo et al. (2003) conducted a cohort in Atherosclerotic burden (n=393). Satisfying marriage vs. Low-satisfying marriage or unmarried status was evaluated on Atherosclerotic burden (carotid intima-media thickness and plaque, and aortic and coronary calcification). Women in satisfying marriages had the least atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries and aorta after 11 to 14 years compared to those in low-satisfying marriages or unmarried women.