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Relationship quality affects CVD risk factors in men
Changes in quality of a marriage over time affected CVD risk factors such as BMI and LDL in men, according to new research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
Ian Bennett-Britton, MD, research fellow in social and community medicine at University of Bristol, United Kingdom, and colleagues reviewed data from 620 men from the ALSPAC trial who were married with a child. A 12-item questionnaire was completed at baseline and 6.4 years to measure relationship quality, defined as: consistently good relationships, improving relationships, deteriorating relationships and consistently poor relationships.
Blood samples were taken at 18.8 years to measure total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, fasting glucose and triglycerides. Other measurements that were completed at that time included resting heart rate, BMI, weight, height and BP.
Men with improving relationships had lower LDL levels (–0.25 mmol/L; 95% CI, –0.46 to –0.03) and a greater BMI reduction (–1.07 kg/m2; 95% CI, –1.73 to –0.42) compared with men in consistently good relationships, after adjustment for confounders.
The researchers observed a weaker association between men with improving relationships and diastolic BP (–2.24 mm Hg; 95% CI, –4.59 to 0.11) and total cholesterol (–0.24 mmol/L; 95% CI, –0.48 to 0).
Men with deteriorating relationships had an increased diastolic BP (2.74 mm Hg; 95% CI, 0.5-4.98) compared with those with consistently good relationships.
“At this stage, it is unclear whether these patterns will be reflected in actual rates of disease onset, as the cohort is still relatively young,” Bennett-Britton and colleagues wrote. “Assuming a causal association, then marriage counseling for couples with deteriorating relationships may have added benefits in terms of physical health over and above psychological well-being, though in some cases ending the relationship may be the best outcome.” – by Darlene Dobkowski
Disclosure: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.