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Background United States (US) Hispanic/Latinos experience a disproportionate burden of obesity, which may in part be related to demographic or sociocultural factors, including acculturation to an US diet or inactive lifestyle. Therefore, we sought to describe the association between adulthood weight histories and demographic and sociocultural factors in a large diverse community-based cohort of US Hispanic/Latinos. Methods We estimated the effect of several factors on weight gain across adulthood, using multivariable linear mixed models to leverage 38,759 self-reported current body weights and weight histories recalled for 21, 45 and 65 years of age, from 15,203 adults at least 21 years of age at the baseline visit of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (2008–2011). Results The average rate of weight gain was nearly 10 kg per decade in early adulthood, but slowed to Conclusions Using self-reported and weight history data in a diverse sample of US Hispanic/Latinos, we revealed that both demographic and sociocultural factors were associated with the patterning of adulthood weight gain in this sample. Given the steep rate of weight gain in this population and the fact that many Hispanic/Latinos living in the US immigrated as adults, efforts to promote weight maintenance across the life course, including after immigration, should be a top priority for promoting Hispanic/Latino health and addressing US health disparities more broadly.

Restoration of limb length is important in total hip arthroplasty. Clinical evaluation and preoperative templating establish the intended lengthening. The purpose of this study was to assess whether digital fluoroscopic navigation (DF) improved the accuracy of planned lengthening in direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty (DAA-THA).Planned lengthening measurements on 100 consecutive unilateral DAA-THA patients, along with patient characteristics, were prospectively collected by 2 surgeons. One surgeon utilized DF to achieve intended length (n = 50), while the other utilized unaided standard fluoroscopy (SF; n = 50). A third surgeon blinded to the procedures assessed actual limb length using an ipsilateral overlay technique on the 6-week postoperative radiograph. The difference between the mean planned and actual limb lengthening stratified by DF and SF was assessed using bivariate and multivariate statistics.The mean (standard deviation) planned lengthening in DF and SF groups was 3.96 (2.1) and 3.47 (2.2) mm, respectively. The mean (standard deviation) actual lengthening in DF and SF groups was 3.11 (4.0) and 0.68 (4.6) mm, respectively. After accounting for age, sex, body mass index, laterality, and the Bone Index, multivariate regression results showed that the average difference between planned and actual limb lengthening in the DF group was significantly lower than that in the SF group (Fluoroscopy helps achieve the intended surgical lengthening in DAA-THA. The use of DF resulted in more accurate execution of lengthening.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between loneliness and both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) has been understudied in U.S. Hispanics, a group at high risk for DM. We examined whether loneliness was associated with CVD and DM, and whether age, sex, marital status, and years in U.S moderated these associations. METHODS: Participants were 5,313 adults (M (SD) age = 42.39 (15.01)) enrolled in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Sociocultural Ancillary Study. Loneliness was assessed via the 3-item Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. RESULTS: Level of reported loneliness was low. Loneliness was significantly associated with CVD: OR = 1.10 (Cl: 1.01–1.20) and DM: OR = 1.08 (Cl: 1.00 – 1.16) after adjusting for depression, demographics, body mass index, and smoking status. Age, sex, marital status, and years in U.S. did not moderate associations. DISCUSSION: Given that increased loneliness is associated with higher cardiometabolic disease prevalence beyond depressive symptoms, regardless of age, sex, marital status, or years in the U.S., Hispanic adults experiencing high levels of loneliness may be a subgroup at particularly elevated risk for CVD and DM.

Background Presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (RFs) should prompt patients and their providers to work aggressively towards controlling those that are modifiable. The extent to which a greater CVD RF burden is related to CVD RF control in a contemporary and diverse Hispanic/Latino population is not well-understood. Methods Using multicenter community-based data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, we assessed the self-reported prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and prevalent CVD (ischemic heart disease or stroke). We used contemporaneous guidelines to define RF control. Multivariable logistic regression for complex survey sampling was used to examine whether having more CVD RFs was associated with CVD RF control (adjusting for age, sex, Hispanic background group, education, and health insurance). Results Our sample included 8521 participants with at least one CVD RF or prevalent CVD. The mean age in HCHS/SOL target population was 49 (SE 0.3) years and 56% were women. Frequency of one, two, or three self-reported CVD RFs was 57%, 26%, 8%, respectively, and overall 9% of participants had prevalent CVD. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, compared to those reporting one CVD RF, individuals with three CVD RFs were the least likely to have blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose optimally controlled (odds ratio [OR]: 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.40–0.80). However, those with prevalent CVD were more likely to have all three risk factors controlled, (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.01–2.01). Conclusion Hispanic/Latino adults with three major CVD RFs represent a group with poor overall CVD RF control. Secondary CVD prevention fares better. The potential contributors to inadequate CVD RF control in this highly vulnerable group warrants further investigation.

Objective Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are implicated in diseases of adulthood. We report the prevalence of ACEs in Hispanics/Latinos in the US and their association with major risk factors and diseases in adulthood. Methods Data from the Sociocultural Ancillary Study of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) were used. The Sociocultural Ancillary Study of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos is an epidemiological study conducted in four urban communities in the US: Bronx, Chicago, Miami, and San Diego. The analytic sample comprised 5117 participants, ages 18 to 74 at baseline. Linear and logistic models, adjusted for sociodemographic factors, were used to examine associations of ACEs and risk factors (depressive symptoms, obesity, smoking, and alcohol use) and chronic disease (coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer); the latter were also adjusted for risk factors. Results Most participants (77.2%) experienced at least one ACE, and 28.7% experienced four or more. Adverse childhood experiences were common among all ancestry groups, with variability among them. Prevalence of four or more ACEs was higher among women than men (31.2% and 25.8%, respectively). Adverse childhood experiences were associated with depressive symptoms, body mass index, smoking, alcohol use, cancer, coronary heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but not asthma, diabetes, or stroke. Associations were not moderated by social support. Conclusions Adverse childhood experiences are prevalent among US Hispanics/Latinos and are involved in disease in adulthood. The apparent higher prevalence of ACEs in US Hispanics/Latinos did not correspond with stronger associations with disease. Further studies are needed to identify factors that may moderate the associations of ACE with adult disease.

Allostatic load (AL), an index of biological “wear and tear” on the body from cumulative exposure to stress, has been little studied in US Hispanics/Latinos. We investigated AL accumulation patterns by age, sex, and nativity in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. We studied 15,830 Hispanic/Latinos of Mexican, Cuban, Dominican, Puerto Rican, Central and South American descent aged 18–74 years, 77% of whom were foreign-born. Consistent with the conceptualization of AL, we developed an index based upon 16 physiological markers that spanned the cardiometabolic, parasympathetic, and inflammatory systems. We computed mean adjusted AL scores using log-linear models across age-groups (18–44, 45–54, 55–74 years), by sex and nativity status. Among foreign-born individuals, differences in AL by duration of residence in the US (, Highlights • Patterns of allostatic load accumulation in US Hispanics/Latinos is understudied. • Hispanic/Latino men had higher allostatic load than women across all ages.

We examined the association between exposure to the U.S. and symptoms of poor mental health among adult Hispanic/Latinos (N = 15,004) overall and by Hispanic/Latino background. Using data from the Hispanic Community Health Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), we estimated logistic regressions to model the risk of moderate to severe symptoms of psychological distress, depression, and anxiety as a function of years in the U.S. and six key psychosocial risk and protective factors. In unadjusted models, increased time in the U.S. was associated with higher risk of poor mental health. After adjustment for just three key factors--perceived discrimination, perceived U.S. social standing, and the size of close social networks--differences in the odds of poor mental health by years in the U.S became insignificant for Hispanics/Latinos overall. However, analyses by Hispanic/Latino background revealed different patterns of association with exposure to the U.S. that could not be fully explained.

Background/objectives Empirical investigation of the adequacy of metabolic syndrome (MetS) diagnostic criteria, and whether meaningful subtypes of MetS exist, is needed among Hispanics/Latinos. Methods In 15,825 US Hispanics/Latinos from HCHS/SOL, latent class analysis of MetS components (waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and antihypertensive, lipid- and glucose-lowering medication use) was used to investigate (1) whether distinct subtypes of MetS could be identified, and how component levels differed between them, and (2) how identified subtypes related to covariates and cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence. Results Two latent clusters emerged in both men (n=6317) and women (n=9508): one characterized by relatively healthy mean levels (Non-MetS cluster, 77.1% of men and 67.1% of women) and the other by clinically elevated mean levels (MetS cluster, 22.9% of men and 32.9% of women) across most MetS components. These clusters showed expected associations with covariates and CVD prevalence. Notable results suggest that (1) HDL cholesterol may poorly differentiate between US Hispanics/Latinos with and without MetS (mean=45.4 vs. 44.6mg/dL for men and 51.3 vs. 52.0mg/dL for women in the MetS vs. Non-MetS clusters, respectively) and (2) the NCEP-ATP III 88cm waist circumference cutoff for US females may not optimize diagnosis among Hispanic/Latino women (MetS cluster mean waist circumference=102.5cm). Conclusions Beyond classification into having MetS or not, additional subtypes of MetS do not clearly emerge in US Hispanics/Latinos. Current diagnostic cutoffs for some components may not optimize MetS identification among this population.

ObjectiveHispanics/Latinos, the largest immigrant population in the USA, undergo the process of acculturation and have a large burden of heart failure risk. Few studies have examined the association of acculturation on cardiac structure and function.DesignCross-sectional.SettingThe Echocardiographic Study of Latinos.Participants1818 Hispanic adult participants with baseline echocardiographic assessment and acculturation measured by the Short Acculturation Scale, nativity, age at immigration, length of US residence, generational status and language.Primary and secondary outcome measuresEchocardiographic assessment of left atrial volume index (LAVI), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), early diastolic transmitral inflow and mitral annular velocities.ResultsThe study population was predominantly Spanish-speaking and foreign-born with mean residence in the US of 22.7 years, mean age of 56.4 years; 50% had hypertension, 28% had diabetes and 44% had a body mass index >30 kg/m2. Multivariable analyses demonstrated higher LAVI with increasing years of US residence. Foreign-born and first-generation participants had higher E/e′ but lower LAVI and e′ velocities compared with the second generation. Higher acculturation and income >$20K were associated with higher LVMI, LAVI and E/e′ but lower e′ velocities. Preferential Spanish-speakers with an income ConclusionsAcculturation was associated with abnormal cardiac structure and function, with some effect modification by socioeconomic status.

There is limited research on the traditional Hispanic male and female gender roles of machismo and marianismo, respectively, in relation to negative cognitions and emotions. Given the vulnerability of Hispanics to negative cognitions and emotions, it is important to examine sociocultural correlates of emotional distress. Therefore, we examined associations of machismo and marianismo with negative cognitive-emotional factors (i.e., depression symptoms; cynical hostility; and trait anxiety and anger) in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Sociocultural Ancillary Study, a cross-sectional cohort study of sociocultural and psychosocial correlates of cardiometabolic health. Participants were aged 18-74 years and self-identified as Hispanic of Central American, Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South American, and other Hispanic background (N = 4,426). Results revealed that specific components of machismo (traditional machismo) and marianismo (family and spiritual pillar dimensions) were associated with higher levels of negative cognitions and emotions after adjusting for socio-demographic factors (p < .05); these associations remained consistent across sex, Hispanic background group, and acculturation. Findings can inform mental health interventions and contribute to our understanding of the importance of gender role socialization in the context of self-reported negative cognitive-emotional factors in Hispanics.

Background— Population-based estimates of cardiac dysfunction and clinical heart failure (HF) remain undefined among Hispanics/Latino adults. Methods and Results— Participants of Hispanic/Latino origin across the United States aged 45 to 74 years were enrolled into the Echocardiographic Study of Latinos (ECHO-SOL) and underwent a comprehensive echocardiography examination to define left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). Clinical HF was defined according to self-report, and those with cardiac dysfunction but without clinical HF were characterized as having subclinical or unrecognized cardiac dysfunction. Of 1818 ECHO-SOL participants (mean age 56.4 years; 42.6% male), 49.7% had LVSD or LVDD or both. LVSD prevalence was 3.6%, whereas LVDD was detected in 50.3%. Participants with LVSD were more likely to be males and current smokers (all P P Conclusions— Among Hispanics/Latinos, most cardiac dysfunction is subclinical or unrecognized, with a high prevalence of diastolic dysfunction. This identifies a high-risk population for the development of clinical HF.

Introduction: There is mounting evidence linking positive psychological functioning to restorative health processes and favorable medical outcomes. However, very little is known about the relationship between optimism--an indicator of psychological functioning--and the American Heart Association ( AHA ) defined concept of cardiovascular health ( CVH ), particularly in Hispanics/Latinos of diverse backgrounds. Hypothesis: Persons with greater optimism will have more favorable CVH profiles. Methods: We analyzed data from adults ages 18-75 that participated in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos ( HCHS/SOL ) Sociocultural Ancillary Study in 2010-11. Optimism was assessed using the Life-Orientation Test-Revised, with scores ranging from 6-24 and higher scores indicative of greater levels of optimism. AHA classification standards were used to derive a composite CVH score with subsequent grouping into categorizes of poor (0-7 points), intermediate (8-11 points), and ideal (12-14 points). Metrics considered when calculating the overall CVH score included diet, body mass index, physical activity, cholesterol, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and smoking status. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associations of optimism with ideal and intermediate CVH (poor CVH—ref. group), after adjusting for socio-demographic factors and depressive symptoms. Results: Among 4,960 participants with complete data, 9.2% were categorized as having ideal CVH. In multivariable-adjusted models, participants with moderate levels of optimism were more likely to have intermediate [OR = 1.37: 95%CI = 1.08, 1.74] and ideal [OR = 1.61: 95%CI = 1.04, 2.48] CVH when compared to the least optimistic group ( Table 1 ). Conclusions: The current study offers preliminary evidence for an association between optimism and CVH in a large heterogeneous group of Hispanic/Latino adults. Future studies should explore the concept of optimistic bias and whether exaggerated levels of optimism are detrimental to health.

Cancer has surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death among Hispanics in the U.S., yet data on cancer prevalence and risk factors in Hispanics in regard to ancestry remain scarce. This study sought to describe (a) the prevalence of cancer among Hispanics from four major U.S. metropolitan areas, (b) cancer prevalence across Hispanic ancestry, and (c) identify correlates of self-reported cancer prevalence. Participants were 16,415 individuals from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), who self-identified as Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Central or South American. All data were collected at a single time point during the HCHS/SOL baseline clinic visit. The overall self-reported prevalence rate of cancer for the population was 4%. The rates varied by Hispanic ancestry group, with individuals of Cuban and Puerto Rican ancestry reporting the highest cancer prevalence. For the entire population, older age (OR = 1.47, p < .001, 95% CI, 1.26-1.71) and having health insurance (OR = 1.93, p < .001, 95% CI, 1.42-2.62) were all significantly associated with greater prevalence, whereas male sex was associated with lower prevalence (OR = 0.56, p < .01, 95% CI, .40-.79). Associations between study covariates and cancer prevalence also varied by Hispanic ancestry. Findings underscore the importance of sociodemographic factors and health insurance in relation to cancer prevalence for Hispanics and highlight variations in cancer prevalence across Hispanic ancestry groups. Characterizing differences in cancer prevalence rates and their correlates is critical to the development and implementation of effective prevention strategies across distinct Hispanic ancestry groups.

Introduction: Population-based estimates of cardiac dysfunction and clinical heart failure (HF) remain undefined among Hispanic/Latino adults. Hypothesis: Among Hispanic/Latino adults, prevalence of clinical HF and subclinical cardiac dysfunction is high. Methods: Adult participants of Hispanic/Latino origin were enrolled into the Echocardiographic Study of Latinos (ECHO-SOL). Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) was defined as an ejection fraction (EF) less than 50%; left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) was defined using the Redfield and American Society of Echocardiography criteria. Baseline diagnosis of clinical HF was defined according to self-report; and those with cardiac dysfunction without clinical HF were characterized as having subclinical or unrecognized cardiac dysfunction. Results: Of the 1818 participants (mean age 56.4 years; 42.6% male) enrolled in ECHO-SOL, 52.7% had some form of cardiac dysfunction. The prevalence of LVSD was 3.6%, while LVDD was detected in 53.5%. Participants with LVSD were more likely to be males and current smokers and have lower socioeconomic status (all p

Background: Abnormalities of cardiac structure and function are part of the spectrum of heart failure risk and progression. Acculturation is the process whereby an individual adopts the beliefs and practices of a host culture. Increasing acculturation has been associated with increased psychosocial stress and the adoption of deleterious health behaviors. The extent to which acculturation contributes to cardiovascular disease among Latinos is not well defined, and its association with cardiac structure and function in particular has not been studied among Latinos. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that higher acculturation is associated with worse left ventricular structure and function. Methods: The HCHS/SOL cohort included 16,415 Latino adults age 18-74 years from Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Central American, and South American backgrounds. A random subsample of 1350 also underwent detailed echocardiographic assessment for the following primary outcome measures: left atrial volume index (LAVI), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV end diastolic volume (LVEDV) and diastolic dysfunction (Grade 0 vs. Grade 1-3). Acculturation was measured by length of residence in the US categorized as (< 5 years, 5-10 years, >10 years). Chi-square and ANOVA were used to assess differences across acculturation level and dependent variables. Separate linear and logistic regression analyses were used with sequential modeling for age and sex followed by models including diabetes, hypertension, body mass index, tobacco use, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Results: The mean age of the Echocardiographic Cohort was 56 years (S.D. ±0.5). Length of residence among first generation immigrants (n=1239) was as follows: 9.7% ≤ 5 years; 14.8% 5-10 years; and 75.5% ≥10 years. Fully adjusted models demonstrated abnormal cardiac structure was significantly higher with increasing years of US residence: increasing LAVI (1.6 ml/m 2 higher ≥10 years vs. ≤ 5 years), increasing LVEDV (5.6 ml higher ≥10 years vs. ≤ 5 years), and LVMI (4.9g/m 2 higher ≥10 years vs. ≤ 5 years) (p Conclusions: Among a diverse Latino population, higher acculturation defined as greater length of residence in the US, a proxy measure for acculturation, was associated with larger LA volume, larger LV cavity, higher LV mass and a tendency to higher prevalence of diastolic dysfunction independent of traditional risk factors. Acculturation may be a significant process that impacts cardiac structure and function among Latinos.

We sought to examine and describe neurocognitive function among middle-aged and older Hispanic/Latino Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) participants. We analyzed baseline cross-sectional data from the middle-aged and older (ages 45–74 years old) participants (n = 9,063) to calculate neurocognitive function scores and their correlates. Older age and higher depressive symptoms scores were associated with lower average neurocognitive performance, whereas greater educational attainment and household income were associated with higher neurocognitive performance. Hispanic/Latino heritage groups significantly varied in neurocognitive performances. Some neurocognitive differences between Hispanics/Latinos were maintained after controlling for language preference, education, household income, and depressive symptoms. We found notable differences in neurocognitive scores between Hispanic/Latino heritage groups that were not fully explained by the cultural and socioeconomic correlates examined in this study. Further investigations into plausible biological and environmental factors contributing to the Hispanic/Latino heritage group differences in neurocognitive found in the HCHS/SOL are warranted.

Introduction In the present study, we investigated associations among cigarette smoking, smoking cessation treatment, and depressive symptoms in Hispanic/Latino adults. Methods The multisite prospective population-based Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) enrolled a cohort of Hispanic/Latino adults (aged 18-74) from diverse backgrounds (n = 16,412) in 4U.S. communities (Chicago, San Diego, Miami, and Bronx). Households were selected using a stratified 2-stage probability sampling design and door-to-door recruitment, and sampling weights calibrated to the 2010U.S. Population Census. Hispanic/Latino individuals of Dominican, Central American, South American, Cuban, Mexican, and Puerto Rican background were considered. Cigarette smoking, smoking cessation treatment, and depressive symptoms were measured by self-report. Results Results indicated that current smokers had greater odds for significant depressive symptoms (CES-D score ≥ 10) than never smokers in all Hispanic background groups [odds ratio (OR) > 1.5]. Depressed persons were not more likely to receive prescribed smoking cessation medications from a doctor (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 0.98-2.08), take over-the-counter medications (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.75-1.66), or receive psychotherapy (OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.57-1.85). Conclusions In conclusion, these findings suggest that the positive association between smoking status and depressive symptoms is present in all examined Hispanic/Latino background groups.

Purpose Metabolic syndrome (MetS), the clustering of several risk factors for cardiovascular disease, is highly prevalent in Hispanics/Latinos. We tested whether all components significantly loaded on the syndrome in Hispanics/Latinos and whether their contribution differed by sex and Hispanic ancestry. We also examined associations of MetS with prevalent diabetes and coronary heart disease in Hispanics/Latinos. Methods Data were obtained from a population-based cohort of n = 15,823 participants in the HCHS/SOL study who self-identified as being of Central American, Cuban, Dominican, Mexican American, Puerto Rican, or South American ancestry and were aged 18 to 74 years at screening. Results A latent variable model of waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and fasting glucose fit the data in men and women, but the contribution of HDL-C was weak. No difference in the latent model of MetS was detected across Hispanic/Latino ancestry groups. MetS was significantly associated with diabetes and coronary heart disease. Conclusions Our results indicate that similar criteria for MetS may be applied across Hispanic/Latino ancestry groups but call into question the role of HDL-C in classifying the MetS in Hispanics/Latinos.

This study aimed to: (1) examine the relationship between depressive symptoms and subclinical atherosclerosis, measured by carotid intima–media thickness (IMT); and, (2) Determine the moderating effect of gender in this relationship among South American Hispanics. We studied 496 adults enrolled in the population-based PREVENCION study. Carotid IMT was measured with high-resolution ultrasonography. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Mean carotid IMT was 0.66 mm. (SD = 0.17) and mean depression score was 5.6 (SD = 3.5). Depressive symptoms were not associated with carotid IMT (β = 0.04, p = 0.222) in multivariate analyses. A significant moderating effect of gender was found (β for interaction = 0.10, p = 0.030), resulting from a significant association between depressive symptoms and carotid IMT in men but not women. Depressive symptoms were associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in South American Hispanic men but not women after controlling for demographic characteristics and traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

U.S. Hispanics are disproportionately burdened by obesity and diabetes compared to non-Hispanic whites. While risk for these conditions appears to increase with longer U.S. residence among Hispanic immigrants, it remains unclear exactly how, when, and for whom the cardiometabolic indices underlying these disorders change upon arrival to the U.S. This study used latent growth modeling to examine change in waist circumference (WC) related to change in insulin resistance (measured via the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, HOMA-IR) over an average 22-month follow-up in a sample of healthy Cuban immigrants assessed within 4 months of U.S. arrival (mean = 40.2 days). Men (n = 194, mean age = 37.1 years) and women (n = 174, mean age = 37.3 years) were analyzed separately. Analyses adjusted for age, days in U.S. prior to baseline, household income, and education. On average, WC increased in both men (0.032 cm per month, p = 0.055) and women (0.098 cm per month, p < 0.001). Lower household income at baseline was associated with greater WC increase in men (B = -0.020, p = 0.043) but not women, adjusted for baseline WC. Age, days in U.S., and education were not related to WC change in either men or women. Furthermore, change in WC was positively related to change in HOMA-IR in both men (B = 0.092, p = 0.001) and women (B = 0.048, p = 0.021), adjusted for baseline WC and HOMA-IR. Findings suggest that initially healthy Cuban immigrants exhibit increases in abdominal adiposity soon after arriving in the U.S., and that this rate of change is (1) about three times higher in female compared to male immigrants, and (2) associated with concurrent increases in insulin resistance. Future research aimed at further elucidating these trends - as well as identifying important environmental and psychosocial predictors - may inform optimal intervention approaches for reducing health disparities observed among Hispanics.

The question of whether the metabolic syndrome truly reflects a single disease entity with a common underlying pathology remains unclear. In this study, we assess whether metabolic syndrome represents an underlying disease construct in a large population-based sample of Andean Hispanic adults and examine its relationship to subclinical atherosclerosis.The study sample was comprised of 2513 participants. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to identify a metabolic syndrome latent factor using waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TGs), and glucose levels as indicators. The relationship with subclinical atherosclerosis, measured by carotid intima media thickness (cIMT), was assessed using structural equation modeling.Results supported the proposed structure of the metabolic syndrome latent factor evidenced by adequate fit indexes. HDL-C did not significantly load on the metabolic syndrome latent factor (standardized factor loading=0.01, P=0.88). The metabolic syndrome latent factor was significantly associated with cIMT in women (B=0.007, P0.001) and men (B=0.008, P0.001) after controlling for age, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and smoking.Our findings suggest that metabolic syndrome components, such as waist circumference, blood pressure, TGs, and glucose levels, but not HDL-C, share a common underlying pathophysiology that may contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis in Andean Hispanics. Its longitudinal association with cardiovascular disease should be the focus of future research.

Data describing relationships between change in risk factors and coronary artery calcification (CAC) are lacking and could inform optimal cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment strategies. This study aimed to examine how change in traditional cardiometabolic risk factors related to change in CAC among individuals with detectable subclinical atherosclerosis.Latent growth modeling was used to examine change in cardiometabolic risk factors (waist circumference, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose) related to change in CAC up to an average 4.9-year follow-up in a multi-ethnic cohort of 3398 asymptomatic individuals (57.8% men) who had detectable CAC (score0) at baseline, adjusting for baseline risk factor levels and CAC values, age, gender, race/ethnicity, smoking, family history of CVD, income, and use of antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, and glucose-lowering medications.Greater declines in blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol at follow-up were each associated with greater CAC progression. The observed inverse associations were attributable to greater CAC progression in participants taking antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs who, as expected, had declines in blood pressure and lipid levels, respectively. These inverse associations did not emerge in participants not taking these medications.Among individuals with subclinical atherosclerosis, the unexpected inverse associations observed between change in blood pressure and lipid levels with CAC progression emphasize the importance of considering medication use, and, when feasible, the severity and duration of disease, in exploring associations between risk factors and CAC change.

Background: Extensive epidemiologic evidence suggests that greater acculturation levels are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there is little information on the reliability and validity of instruments to measure acculturation across Hispanic/Latino (H/L) groups who prefer to communicate in English or Spanish. Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Short Acculturation Scale (SASH) to determine whether it is a reliable measure in a large, diverse sample of H/Ls, and whether there is measurement invariance across language groups. Methods: Cross-sectional data were used from the multi-site HCHS/SOL (Bronx, Chicago, Miami and San Diego) and included Cuban, Dominican, Puerto Rican, Mexican, Central or South American background household resident adults (18 to 74 years old; n = 16,331). Households were selected using a stratified two-stage probability sampling design, and door-to-door recruitment with sampling weights calibrated to the 2010 US Population Census. A 10-item abbreviated version of the SASH was administered in English or Spanish per the participant’s preference. Standardized factor loadings were calculated for all item-level confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MCFA) models. Results: The overall scale reliability was acceptable in the full sample (α =.90) and for both language versions (α =.78 for English, and α =.85 for Spanish). The Cronbach’s alphas were similar across H/L ethnic groups (ranging from α =.85 for South Americans to α =.89 for Mexicans). Data from the exploratory factor analysis suggested a 2 factor solution, with dimensions of language use and ethnic social relationships. In addition, CFA showed that the 2 factor solution was invariant across the Spanish and English groups. Conclusion: These preliminary findings suggest that the abbreviated SASH scale is reliable across language versions, and comparable (in terms of reliability and factors structure) across H/L ethnic groups.