A composite stress index and unfair treatment were associated with higher carotid intima-media thickness among African American premenopausal women, but not among Caucasian women.
Observational (n=334)
Is a composite index of stress associated with subclinical carotid disease in African American and Caucasian premenopausal women?
Chronic stress and discrimination are associated with increased subclinical carotid artery disease (higher IMT) specifically in African American premenopausal women.
This study examined the association between a composite index of stress that included measures of life events, ongoing stress, discrimination, and economic hardship and subclinical carotid disease among 109 African America and 225 Caucasian premenopausal women. African Americans reported more chronic stress and had higher carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) as compared with Caucasians. Among African Americans only, the composite stress index and unfair treatment were associated with higher IMT. These effects were partially mediated by biological risk factors. African American who reported experiencing racial discrimination had marginally more carotid plaque than did those who did not report experiencing racial discrimination. The results suggest that African Americans may be particularly vulnerable to the burden of chronic stress.
Troxel et al. (2003) conducted an observational in Subclinical carotid artery disease (n=334). Composite index of stress (life events, ongoing stress, discrimination, economic hardship) was evaluated on Subclinical carotid disease (carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaque). A composite stress index and unfair treatment were associated with higher carotid intima-media thickness among African American premenopausal women, but not among Caucasian women.