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Certain CV risk factors elevated in bisexual men
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Men who identified as bisexual had elevated odds of several CVD risk factors, according to a study published in LGBT Health.
“These findings highlight the important role of sexual identity on cardiovascular health,” Billy A. Caceres, PhD, RN, AGPCNP-BC, postdoctoral research fellow at Columbia University School of Nursing and adjunct faculty at New York University Rory Meyers College of University, told Cardiology Today. “As more healthcare organizations include sexual orientation (sexual identity and sexual behavior) items in their demographic questionnaires, it is particularly important for healthcare providers to understand the role of sexual identity on health outcomes.”
Researchers analyzed 2001-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data of 7,731 men aged 20 to 59 years who reported their sexual identity: heterosexual (n = 7,291), gay (n = 147) or bisexual (n = 114). Men who identified as heterosexual were further classified as men who identify as heterosexual but have sex with men (n = 179) or who identify as exclusively heterosexual.
Other demographics in this study included race/ethnicity, education, income and marital status, in addition to family history of CVD, HIV status and health insurance coverage. Men also reported risk factors such as mental health, binge drinking, tobacco use, dietary fat intake and physical activity. Self-reported CVD conditions included CHD, angina, MI, HF and stroke.
Compared with men who were exclusively heterosexual, those who identified as gay were less likely to binge drink (adjusted OR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.37-0.85).
Men who identified as bisexual had higher rates of obesity (aOR = 1.69; 95% CI, 1.02-2.72), mental distress (aOR = 2.39; 95% CI, 1.46-3.9), HbA1c (aOR = 3.01; 95% CI, 1.38-6.59) and elevated BP (aOR = 2.3; 95% CI, 1.43-3.7) vs. those who identified as exclusively heterosexual.
“Although we measured acute stress, there is a need to examine how chronic stressors that are common in gay and bisexual men (such as discrimination and interpersonal trauma) might impact their cardiovascular health,” Caceres said in an interview. “In addition, the observed differences in risk profiles between bisexual men and heterosexual-identified men who have sex with men suggest that sexual identity, not sexual behavior, may be associated with excess heart disease risk. These are important areas in need of further research.” – by Darlene Dobkowski
For more information:
Billy A. Caceres, PhD, RN, AGPCNP-BC, can be reached at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, 433 First Ave., New York, NY 10010; email: billy.caceres@nyu.edu.
Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.
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