Trauma increases CVD risk in sexual minority women

Billy A. Caceres

CHICAGO — Lesbian and bisexual women who experienced trauma, including abuse and neglect, may have an increased risk for CVD, according to research presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

“This work increases our understanding of factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease risk in sexual minority women,” 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 Nursing, told Cardiology Today. “Interpersonal trauma appears to be an independent risk factor for certain cardiovascular disease risk factors in sexual minority women. This suggests that providers should screen for interpersonal trauma as a risk factor for poor cardiovascular health among sexual minority women.”

Researchers analyzed data from 547 sexual minority women from wave 3 of the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women study. Different forms of trauma throughout childhood, adulthood and lifetime were assessed, in addition to self-reported hypertension, obesity and diabetes, and psychosocial and behavioral risk factors for CVD.

Trauma in all of its forms was associated with lower perceived social support and probable diagnosis of PTSD. Odds of depression were elevated in women with childhood trauma (adjusted OR = 1.41; 95% CI, 1.11-1.81) and lifetime trauma (aOR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.06-1.4). Women with adulthood trauma were more likely to have anxiety (aOR = 1.3; 95% CI, 1.05-1.6).

Childhood trauma was linked to increased odds of overeating within the past 3 months (aOR = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.07-1.92) and was an independent risk factor for diabetes (aOR = 1.58; 95% CI, 1.02-2.44). Further, risk for obesity was elevated in women with adulthood (aOR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.01-1.49) and lifetime trauma (aOR = 1.16; 95% CI, 1.01-1.33). The risk for hypertension was also increased in women with adulthood (aOR = 1.3; 95% CI, 1.01-1.68) and lifetime trauma (aOR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.01-1.46).

“Our next steps are to replicate these findings in other samples, specifically comparing the association of interpersonal trauma and cardiovascular disease risk between sexual minority and heterosexual women; examine these associations longitudinally to assess differences in the impact of more recent vs. lifetime trauma on cardiovascular disease risk; and investigate whether the associations of interpersonal trauma observed with self-reported cardiovascular disease risk remain consistent with objectively measured obesity, hypertension and diabetes,” Caceres said in an interview. – by Darlene Dobkowski

Reference:

Caceres BA, et al. Abstract 299. Presented at: American Heart Association Scientific Sessions; Nov. 10-12, 2018; Chicago.

Disclosure: Caceres reports no relevant financial disclosures.