Cardiovascular Risk Profile Among Reproductive-Aged Women in the U.S.: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2015-2020

Introduction

Suboptimal cardiovascular health is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and long-term cardiovascular risk. The authors examined trends in cardiovascular risk factors and correlates of suboptimal cardiovascular risk profiles among reproductive-aged U.S. women.

Methods

With data from 335,959 women in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2015-2020), the authors conducted serial cross-sectional analysis among nonpregnant reproductive-aged women (18-44 years) without cardiovascular disease who self-reported information on 8 cardiovascular risk factors selected on the basis of Life's Essential 8 metrics. The authors estimated the prevalence of each risk factor and suboptimal cardiovascular risk profile (≥2 risk factors) and examined trends overall and by age and race/ethnicity. Using multivariable Poisson regression, the authors assessed the sociodemographic correlates of suboptimal cardiovascular risk profile.

Results

The weighted prevalence of women aged <35 years was approximately 64% in each survey year. The prevalence of suboptimal cardiovascular risk profile increased modestly from 72.4% (71.6%-73.3%) in 2015 to 75.9% (75.0%-76.7%) in 2019 (p<0.001). This increase was mainly driven by increases in overweight/obesity (53.1%-58.4%; p<0.001). Between 2015 and 2019, significant increases in suboptimal cardiovascular risk profile were observed among non-Hispanic White (69.8%-72.6%; p<0.001) and Hispanic (75.1%-80.3%; p<0.001) women but not among non-Hispanic Black (82.7%-83.7%; p=0.48) or Asian (68.1%-73.2%; p=0.09) women. Older age, rural residence, and non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic race and ethnicity were associated with a higher prevalence of suboptimal cardiovascular risk profile.

Conclusions

There has been a modest but significant increase in suboptimal cardiovascular risk profile among U.S. women of reproductive age. Urgent preventive efforts are needed to reverse this trend and improve cardiovascular health, particularly among subgroups at increased risk, to mitigate its implications.

Coronary artery calcium as a marker of healthy and unhealthy aging in adults aged 75 and older: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is validated for risk prediction among middle-aged adults, but there is limited research exploring implications of CAC among older adults. We used data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study to evaluate the association of CAC with domains of healthy and unhealthy aging in adults aged ≥75 years.

METHODS

We included 2,290 participants aged ≥75 years free of known coronary heart disease who underwent CAC scoring at study visit 7. We examined the cross-sectional association of CAC = 0, 1-999 (reference), and ≥1000 with seven domains of aging: cognitive function, hearing, ankle-brachial index (ABI), pulse-wave velocity (PWV), forced vital capacity (FVC), physical functioning, and grip strength.

RESULTS

The mean age was 80.5 ± 4.3 years, 38.6% male, and 77.7% White. 10.3% had CAC = 0 and 19.2% had CAC≥1000. Individuals with CAC = 0 had the lowest while those with CAC≥1000 had the highest proportion with dementia (2% vs 8%), hearing impairment (46% vs 67%), low ABI (3% vs 18%), high PWV (27% vs 41%), reduced FVC (34% vs 42%), impaired grip strength (66% vs 74%), and mean composite abnormal aging score (2.6 vs 3.7). Participants with CAC = 0 were less likely to have abnormal ABI (aOR:0.15, 95%CI:0.07-0.34), high PWV (aOR:0.57, 95%CI:0.41-0.80), and reduced FVC (aOR:0.69, 95%CI:0.50-0.96). Conversely, participants with CAC≥1000 were more likely to have low ABI (aOR:1.74, 95%CI:1.27-2.39), high PWV (aOR:1.52, 95%CI:1.15-2.00), impaired physical functioning (aOR:1.35, 95%CI:1.05-1.73), and impaired grip strength (aOR:1.46, 95%CI:1.08-1.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight CAC as a simple measure broadly associated with biological aging, with clinical and research implications for estimating the physical and physiological aging trajectory of older individuals.

Prevalence of Aortic Valve Calcium and the Long-Term Risk of Incident Severe Aortic Stenosis

BACKGROUND

Aortic valve calcification (AVC) is a principal mechanism underlying aortic stenosis (AS).

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to determine the prevalence of AVC and its association with the long-term risk for severe AS.

METHODS

Noncontrast cardiac computed tomography was performed among 6,814 participants free of known cardiovascular disease at MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) visit 1. AVC was quantified using the Agatston method, and normative age-, sex-, and race/ethnicity-specific AVC percentiles were derived. The adjudication of severe AS was performed via chart review of all hospital visits and supplemented with visit 6 echocardiographic data. The association between AVC and long-term incident severe AS was evaluated using multivariable Cox HRs.

RESULTS

AVC was present in 913 participants (13.4%). The probability of AVC >0 and AVC scores increased with age and were generally highest among men and White participants. In general, the probability of AVC >0 among women was equivalent to men of the same race/ethnicity who were approximately 10 years younger. Incident adjudicated severe AS occurred in 84 participants over a median follow-up of 16.7 years. Higher AVC scores were exponentially associated with the absolute risk and relative risk of severe AS with adjusted HRs of 12.9 (95% CI: 5.6-29.7), 76.4 (95% CI: 34.3-170.2), and 380.9 (95% CI: 169.7-855.0) for AVC groups 1 to 99, 100 to 299, and ≥300 compared with AVC = 0.

CONCLUSIONS

The probability of AVC >0 varied significantly by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. The risk of severe AS was exponentially higher with higher AVC scores, whereas AVC = 0 was associated with an extremely low long-term risk of severe AS. The measurement of AVC provides clinically relevant information to assess an individual's long-term risk for severe AS.

E-Cigarette Use Among US Adults in the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey

Importance

After the initial disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is unclear how patterns of e-cigarette use in the US have changed.

Objective

To examine recent patterns in current and daily e-cigarette use among US adults in 2021.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study used data from the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) database. The BRFSS is the largest national telephone-based survey of randomly sampled adults in the US. Adults aged 18 years or older, residing in 49 US states (all except Florida), the District of Columbia, and 3 US territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands), were included in the data set. Data analysis was performed in January 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was age-adjusted prevalence of current and daily e-cigarette use overall and by participant characteristics, state, and territory. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted, applying weights to account for population representation.

Results

This study included 414 755 BRFSS participants with information on e-cigarette use. More than half of participants were women (51.3%). In terms of race and ethnicity, 0.9% of participants were American Indian or Alaska Native, 5.8% were Asian, 11.5% were Black, 17.3% were Hispanic, 0.2% were Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, 62.2% were White, 1.4% were of multiple races or ethnicities, and 0.6% were of other race or ethnicity. Individuals aged 18 to 24 years comprised 12.4% of the study population. The age-standardized prevalence of current e-cigarette use was 6.9% (95% CI, 6.7%-7.1%), with almost half of participants using e-cigarettes daily (3.2% [95% CI, 3.1%-3.4%]). Among individuals aged 18 to 24 years, there was a consistently higher prevalence of e-cigarette use, with more than 18.6% reporting current use and more than 9.0% reporting daily use. Overall, among individuals reporting current e-cigarette use, 42.2% (95% CI, 40.7%-43.7%) indicated former combustible cigarette use, 37.1% (95% CI, 35.6%-38.6%) indicated current combustible cigarette use, and 20.7% (95% CI, 19.7%-21.8%) indicated never using combustible cigarettes. Although relatively older adults (aged ≥25 years) who reported current e-cigarette use were more likely to report former or current combustible cigarette use, younger adults (aged 18-24 years) were more likely to report never using combustible cigarettes. Notably, the proportion of individuals who reported current e-cigarette use and never using combustible cigarettes was higher in the group aged 18 to 20 years (71.5% [95% CI, 66.8%-75.7%]) compared with those aged 21 to 24 years (53.0% [95% CI, 49.8%-56.1%]).

Conclusion and Relevance

These findings suggest that e-cigarette use remained common during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among young adults aged 18 to 24 years (18.3% prevalence). Notably, 71.5% of individuals aged 18 to 20 years who reported current e-cigarette use had never used combustible cigarettes. These results underscore the rationale for the implementation and enforcement of public health policies tailored to young adults.

Reproductive Experiences and Cardiovascular Disease Care in Pregnancy-Capable and Postmenopausal Individuals: Insights From the American Heart Association Research Goes Red Registry

To evaluate preconception health and adverse pregnancy outcome (APO) awareness in a large population-based registry. We examined data from the Fertility and Pregnancy Survey of the American Heart Association Research Goes Red Registry to questions regarding prenatal health care experiences, postpartum health, and awareness of the association of APOs with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Among postmenopausal individuals, 37% were unaware that APOs were associated with long-term CVD risk, significantly varying by race-ethnicity. Fifty-nine percent of participants were not educated regarding this association by their providers, and 37% reported providers not assessing pregnancy history during current visits, significantly varying by race-ethnicity, income, and access to care. Only 37.1% of respondents were aware that CVD was the leading cause of maternal mortality. There is an urgent, ongoing need for more education on APOs and CVD risk, to improve the health-care experiences and postpartum health outcomes of pregnant individuals.

Cardiovascular risk stratification among individuals with obesity: The Coronary Artery Calcium Consortium

OBJECTIVE

The effectiveness of coronary artery calcification (CAC) for risk stratification in obesity, in which imaging is often limited because of a reduced signal to noise ratio, has not been well studied.

METHODS

Data from 9334 participants (mean age: 53.3 ± 9.7 years; 67.9% men) with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 from the CAC Consortium, a retrospectively assembled cohort of individuals with no prior cardiovascular diseases (CVD), were used. The predictive value of CAC for all-cause and cause-specific mortality was evaluated using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards and competing-risks regression.

RESULTS

Mean BMI was 34.5 (SD 4.4) kg/m2 (22.7% Class II and 10.8% Class III obesity), and 5461 (58.5%) had CAC. Compared with CAC = 0, those with CAC = 1-99, 100-299, and ≥300 Agatston units had higher rates (per 1000 person-years) of all-cause (1.97 vs. 3.5 vs. 5.2 vs. 11.3), CVD (0.4 vs. 1.1 vs. 1.5 vs. 4.2), and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality (0.2 vs. 0.6 vs. 0.6 vs. 2.5), respectively, after mean follow-up of 10.8 ± 3.0 years. After adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, CAC ≥ 300 was associated with significantly higher risk of all-cause (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.49-2.82), CVD (subdistribution HR: 3.48; 95% CI: 1.81-6.70), and CHD mortality (subdistribution HR: 5.44; 95% CI: 2.02-14.66), compared with CAC = 0. When restricting the sample to individuals with BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 , CAC ≥ 300 remained significantly associated with the highest risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Among individuals with obesity, including moderate-severe obesity, CAC strongly predicts all-cause, CVD, and CHD mortality and may serve as an effective cardiovascular risk stratification tool to prioritize the allocation of therapies for weight management.

Coronary Artery Calcium Scores in Older Adults With Diabetes and Their Association With Diabetes-Specific Risk Enhancers (from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study)

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a validated marker of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk; however, it is not routinely incorporated in ASCVD risk prediction in older adults with diabetes. We sought to assess the CAC distribution among this demographic and its association with "diabetes-specific risk enhancers," which are known to be associated with increased ASCVD risk. We used the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study data, including adults aged >75 years with diabetes, who had their CAC measured at ARIC visit 7 (2018 to 2019). The demographic characteristics of participants and their CAC distribution were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between diabetes-specific risk enhancers (duration of diabetes, albuminuria, chronic kidney disease, retinopathy, neuropathy, and ankle-brachial index) and elevated CAC, adjusting for age, gender, race, education level, dyslipidemia, hypertension, physical activity, smoking status, and family history of coronary heart disease. The mean age in our sample was 79.9 (SD 3.97) years, with 56.6% women and 62.1% White. The CAC scores were heterogenous, and the median CAC score was higher in participants with a greater number of diabetes risk enhancers, regardless of gender. In the multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models, participants with ≥2 diabetes-specific risk enhancers had greater odds of elevated CAC than those with <2 (odds ratio 2.31, 95% confidence interval 1.34 to 3.98). In conclusion, the distribution of CAC was heterogeneous among older adults with diabetes, with the CAC burden associated with the number of diabetes risk-enhancing factors present. These data may have implications for prognostication in older patients with diabetes and supports the possible incorporation of CAC in the assessment of cardiovascular disease risk in this population.

Investigating the association of traditional and non-traditional tobacco product use with subclinical and clinical cardiovascular disease: The Cross-Cohort Collaboration-Tobacco working group rationale, design, and methodology

While the impact of combustible cigarette smoking on cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well-established, the longitudinal association of non-traditional tobacco products with subclinical and clinical CVD has not been fully explored due to: 1) limited data availability; and 2) the lack of well-phenotyped prospective cohorts. Therefore, there is the need for sufficiently powered well-phenotyped datasets to fully elucidate the CVD risks associated with non-cigarette tobacco products. The Cross-Cohort Collaboration (CCC)-Tobacco is a harmonized dataset of 23 prospective cohort studies predominantly in the US. A priori defined variables collected from each cohort included baseline characteristics, details of traditional and non-traditional tobacco product use, inflammatory markers, and outcomes including subclinical and clinical CVD. The definitions of the variables in each cohort were systematically evaluated by a team of two physician-scientists and a biostatistician. Herein, we describe the method of data acquisition and harmonization and the baseline sociodemographic and risk profile of participants in the combined CCC-Tobacco dataset. The total number of participants in the pooled cohort is 322782 (mean age: 59.7 ± 11.8 years) of which 76% are women. White individuals make up the majority (73.1%), although there is good representation of other race and ethnicity groups including African American (15.6%) and Hispanic/Latino individuals (6.4%). The prevalence of participants who never smoked, formerly smoked, and currently smoke combustible cigarettes is 50%, 36%, and 14%, respectively. The prevalence of current and former cigar, pipe, and smokeless tobacco is 7.3%, 6.4%, and 8.6%, respectively. E-cigarette use was measured only in follow-up visits of select studies, totaling 1704 former and current users. CCC-Tobacco is a large, pooled cohort dataset that is uniquely designed with increased power to expand knowledge regarding the association of traditional and non-traditional tobacco use with subclinical and clinical CVD, with extension to understudied groups including women and individuals from underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

Comprehensive review of the national surveys that assess E-cigarette use domains among youth and adults in the United States

Surveillance of e-cigarette use among different population groups is important for the timely implementation and evaluation of tobacco regulatory policies. In this review, we identified 13 nationally representative, repeatedly conducted epidemiologic surveys that assess e-cigarette use among U.S. youth and/or adults and have been instrumental in e-cigarette surveillance. These surveys included National Youth Tobacco Survey, Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, Monitoring the Future Survey, International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (ITC) Youth Tobacco and Vaping Survey, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, National Health Interview Survey, Tobacco Use Supplement of the Current Population Survey, Health Information National Trends Survey, Tobacco Products and Risk Perception Surveys, ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, and Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health. These surveys vary in scope and detail, with their unique strengths and the regulatory questions that can be answered using each survey data. We also highlighted the gaps in these surveys and made recommendations for improvement.

Examining the association of habitual e-cigarette use with inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in young adults: The VAPORS-Endothelial function study

INTRODUCTION

Acute exposure to e-cigarette aerosol has been shown to have potentially deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system. However, the cardiovascular effects of habitual e-cigarette use have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, we aimed to assess the association of habitual e-cigarette use with endothelial dysfunction and inflammation - subclinical markers known to be associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from 46 participants (23 exclusive e-cigarette users; 23 non-users) enrolled in the VAPORS-Endothelial function study. E-cigarette users had used e-cigarettes for ≥6 consecutive months. Non-users had used e-cigarettes <5 times and had a negative urine cotinine test (<30 ng/mL). Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and reactive hyperemia index (RHI) were used to assess endothelial dysfunction, and we assayed high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, fibrinogen, p-selectin, and myeloperoxidase as serum measures of inflammation. We used multivariable linear regression to assess the association of e-cigarette use with the markers of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation.

RESULTS

Of the 46 participants with mean age of 24.3 ± 4.0 years, the majority were males (78%), non-Hispanic (89%), and White (59%). Among non-users, 6 had cotinine levels <10 ng/mL while 17 had levels 10-30 ng/mL. Conversely, among e-cigarette users, the majority (14 of 23) had cotinine ≥500 ng/mL. At baseline, the systolic blood pressure was higher among e-cigarette users than non-users (p=0.011). The mean FMD was slightly lower among e-cigarette users (6.32%) compared to non-users (6.53%). However, in the adjusted analysis, current e-cigarette users did not differ significantly from non-users in their mean FMD (Coefficient=2.05; 95% CI: -2.52-6.63) or RHI (Coefficient= -0.20; 95% CI: -0.88-0.49). Similarly, the levels of inflammatory markers were generally low and did not differ between e-cigarette users and non-users.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that e-cigarette use may not be significantly associated with endothelial dysfunction and systemic inflammation in relatively young and healthy individuals. Longer term studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.

Psychosocial stressors and current e-cigarette use in the youth risk behavior survey

BACKGROUND

This study explores the association between psychosocial stressors and current e-cigarette use among adolescents in the United States.

METHODS

We used data from 12,767 participants in the 2019 National Youth Risk Behavioral Survey to examine the association between psychosocial stressors (bullying, sexual assault, safety-related absence from school, depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, physical altercation, and weapon threats) and past-30-day e-cigarette use using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. We examined the association for each stressor and then as a burden score (0-7). To compare the strength of the association between stressors and current e-cigarette use to current combustible cigarette use, we additionally examined the association between each stressor and current combustible cigarette use.

RESULTS

Approximately 32.7% reported current e-cigarette use. The weighted prevalence of current e-cigarette use was higher among individuals who experienced stressors than those who did not. For example, bullying (43.9% vs. 29.0%). Similar prevalence patterns were seen among other stressors. Individuals who experienced stressors had significantly higher adjusted odds of current e-cigarette use than those who did not (OR [Odds Ratio] range: 1.47-1.75). Similarly, individuals with higher burden scores had a higher prevalence (zero [20.5%], one [32.8%], two [41.4%], three [49.6%], four to seven [60.9%]) and higher odds of current e-cigarette use (OR range: 1.43-2.73) than those with a score of zero. The strength of the association between the stressors and e-cigarette use was similar to that between the stressors and combustible cigarette use.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates a significant association between psychosocial stressors and adolescent e-cigarette use, highlighting the potential importance of interventions, such as targeted school-based programs that address stressors and promote stress management, as possible means of reducing adolescent e-cigarette use. Future research directions include exploring underlying mechanisms linking stressors to e-cigarette use and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions addressing stressors in reducing adolescent e-cigarette use.

Patterns of tobacco product use and substance misuse among adolescents in the United States

Among adolescents, sole use is the most common pattern of e-cigarette use. However, concurrent use of e-cigarettes with other tobacco products is not uncommon and may be associated with high-risk behaviors. We used data from 12,767 participants in the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey to examine the patterns of tobacco product use among youth in the US. First, we examined the prevalence of e-cigarette-specific patterns of tobacco use (nonuse[no tobacco product use], sole use[sole e-cigarette use], dual-use[e-cigarette and one other tobacco product], and poly use[e-cigarette and two or more other tobacco products]). Then, using multivariable Poisson regression, we assessed how the tobacco use patterns were associated with the misuse of nine substances of abuse (alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogens, heroin, inhalants, injectables, and methamphetamines). 62.9% of youth reported nonuse of any tobacco product. The weighted prevalence of sole e-cigarette use, dual use, and poly use was 23.2%, 4.2%, and 3.3%, respectively. Across all the substances explored, the prevalence was highest among poly users, followed by dual users, sole users, and non-users. Compared to non-users, sole, dual, and poly users had 7.8(95 %CI:6.1-10.0), 14.3(95 %CI:10.8-18.8), and 19.7(95 %CI:15.0-25.9) times higher adjusted prevalence of reporting past-30-day binge drinking, after adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and depressive symptoms. This pattern was seen across all the different substances explored. These findings highlight the high prevalence of substance misuse among youth who use tobacco products and the need to educate and counsel on substances of abuse among this population, particularly among poly-tobacco users.

Healthcare Provider Screening for Tobacco Product and Electronic Cigarette Use Among Youth in the United States

PURPOSE

Healthcare providers play a critical role in curbing youth tobacco use through screening and counseling. Current rates of tobacco use screening by healthcare providers among US youth are unknown.

METHODS

We used 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey data to examine the prevalence of healthcare provider screening for tobacco and e-cigarette use among US youth. Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined the factors associated with being screened for tobacco use.

RESULTS

Of 13,434 individuals who reported past 12-month visits to any healthcare professional, 47.5% (44.8%-50.1%) reported being screened for any tobacco use, while 31.5% (29.2%-40.0%) reported e-cigarette-specific screening. The odds of tobacco use screening were lower among males (odds ratio [OR]: 0.81 [0.73-0.89]) and middle schoolers (OR: 0.39 [0.33-0.44]) compared to females and high schoolers, respectively. In addition, non-Hispanic Black (OR: 0.71 [0.56-0.89]), Hispanic (OR: 0.76 [0.63-0.92]), and Asian youth (OR: 0.48 [0.37-0.63]) had lower odds of being screened than non-Hispanic White youth.

DISCUSSION

There are missed opportunities in tobacco screening by healthcare providers, particularly among males, middle schoolers, and racial/ethnic minority youth.

Reproductive Experiences and Cardiovascular Disease Care in Pregnancy Capable and Post-Menopausal Individuals: Insights from the American Heart Association Research Goes Red Registry

Background

Information on reproductive experiences and awareness of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among pregnancy-capable and post-menopausal individuals has not been well described. We sought to evaluate preconception health and APO awareness in a large population-based registry.

Methods

Data from the Fertility and Pregnancy Survey of the American Heart Association Research Goes Red Registry (AHA-RGR) were used. Responses to questions pertaining to prenatal health care experiences, postpartum health, and awareness of the association of APOs with CVD risk were used. We summarized responses using proportions for the overall sample and by stratifications, and we tested differences using the Chi-squared test.

Results

Of 4,651individuals in the AHA-RGR registry, 3,176 were of reproductive age, and 1,475 were postmenopausal. Among postmenopausal individuals, 37% were unaware that APOs were associated with long-term CVD risk. This varied by different racial/ethnic groups (non-Hispanic White: 38%, non-Hispanic Black: 29%, Asian: 18%, Hispanic: 41%, Other: 46%; P = 0.03). Fifty-nine percent of the participants were not educated regarding the association of APOs with long-term CVD risk by their providers. Thirty percent of the participants reported that their providers did not assess pregnancy history during current visits; this varied by race-ethnicity ( P = 0.02), income ( P = 0.01), and access to care ( P = 0.02). Only 37.1% of the respondents were aware that CVD was the leading cause of maternal mortality.

Conclusions

Considerable knowledge gaps exist in the association of APOs with CVD risk, with disparities by race/ethnicity, and most patients are not educated on this association by their health care professionals. There is an urgent and ongoing need for more education on APOs and CVD risk, to improve the health-care experiences and postpartum health outcomes of pregnant individuals.

Pod-based e-cigarette use among US college-aged adults: A survey on the perception of health effects, sociodemographic correlates, and interplay with other tobacco products

INTRODUCTION

E-cigarette use among youth and young adults remains of public health concern. Pod-based e-cigarettes, including JUUL, significantly changed the e-cigarette landscape in the US. Using an online survey, we explored the socio-behavioral correlates, predisposing factors, and addictive behaviors, among young adult pod-mod users within a University in Maryland, USA.

METHODS

In total, 112 eligible college students aged 18-24 years, recruited from a University in Maryland, who reported using pod-mods were included in this study. Participants were categorized into current/non-current users based on past-30-day use. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze participants' responses.

RESULTS

The mean age of the survey participants was 20.5 ± 1.2 years, 56.3% were female, 48.2% White, and 40.2% reported past-30-day (current) use of pod-mods. The mean age of first experimentation with pod-mods was 17.8 ± 1.4 years, while the mean age of regular use was 18.5 ± 1.4 years, with the majority (67.9%) citing social influence as the reason for initiation. Of the current users, 62.2% owned their own devices, and 82.2% predominantly used JUUL and menthol flavor (37.8%). A significant proportion of current users (73.3%) reported buying pods in person, 45.5% of whom were aged <21 years. Among all participants, 67% had had a past serious quit attempt. Among them, 89.3% neither used nicotine replacement therapy nor prescription medications. Finally, current use (adjusted odds ratio, AOR=4.52; 95% CI: 1.76-11.64), JUUL use (AOR=2.56; 95% CI: 1.08-6.03), and menthol flavor (AOR=6.52; 95% CI: 1.38-30.89) were associated with reduced nicotine autonomy, a measure of addiction.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide specific data to inform the development of public health interventions targeted at college youth, including the need for more robust cessation support for pod-mod users.

Association of Depression and Poor Mental Health With Cardiovascular Disease and Suboptimal Cardiovascular Health Among Young Adults in the United States

Background Depression is a nontraditional risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Data on the association of depression and poor mental health with CVD and suboptimal cardiovascular health (CVH) among young adults are limited. Methods and Results We used data from 593 616 young adults (aged 18-49 years) from the 2017 to 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a nationally representative survey of noninstitutionalized US adults. Exposures were self-reported depression and poor mental health days (PMHDs; categorized as 0, 1-13, and 14-30 days of poor mental health in the past 30 days). Outcomes were self-reported CVD (composite of myocardial infarction, angina, or stroke) and suboptimal CVH (≥2 cardiovascular risk factors: hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, overweight/obesity, smoking, diabetes, physical inactivity, and inadequate fruit and vegetable intake). Using logistic regression, we investigated the association of depression and PMHDs with CVD and suboptimal CVH, adjusting for sociodemographic factors (and cardiovascular risk factors for the CVD outcome). Of the 593 616 participants (mean age, 34.7±9.0 years), the weighted prevalence of depression was 19.6% (95% CI, 19.4-19.8), and the weighted prevalence of CVD was 2.5% (95% CI, 2.4-2.6). People with depression had higher odds of CVD than those without depression (odds ratio [OR], 2.32 [95% CI, 2.13-2.51]). There was a graded association of PMHDs with CVD. Compared with individuals with 0 PMHDs, the odds of CVD in those with 1 to 13 PMHDs and 14 to 30 PHMDs were 1.48 (95% CI, 1.34-1.62) and 2.29 (95% CI, 2.08-2.51), respectively, after adjusting for sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors. The associations did not differ significantly by sex or urban/rural status. Individuals with depression had higher odds of suboptimal CVH (OR, 1.79 [95% CI, 1.65-1.95]) compared with those without depression, with a similar graded relationship between PMHDs and suboptimal CVH. Conclusions Depression and poor mental health are associated with premature CVD and suboptimal CVH among young adults. Although this association is likely bidirectional, prioritizing mental health may help reduce CVD risk and improve CVH in young adults.

Impact of the Food and Drug Administration enforcement policy on flavored e-cigarettes on the online popularity of disposable e-cigarettes: analyses of Google search query data

BACKGROUND

The impact of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) initial enforcement policy on flavored cartridge-based e-cigarettes and subsequent notice for the removal of flavored disposable electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) such as Puff Bar from the market has not been well evaluated. We, therefore, sought to examine the impact of the e-cigarette flavor-related policy changes on the online popularity of Puff Bar, a prototypic disposable e-cigarette.

METHODS

We tabulated the total weekly Google search queries originating from the U.S. for "Puff Bar" and "Puff Bars" from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021. We divided the three years into four (4) distinct periods using the dates of the initial announcement to ban non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes (September 11, 2019), the finalization of the FDA enforcement policy on cartridge-based flavors (January 2, 2020), and the notice for the market withdrawal of flavored disposable e-cigarettes (July 20, 2020) as reference time points. Then, we used piecewise linear regression and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) to compare the trends in searches for Puff Bar for the four (4) periods.

RESULTS

Before the initial announcement to ban non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes, online search queries (per 10 million Google searches) for Puff Bar were slowly rising at a rate of 0.58 queries per week (95%CI: -0.80 - 1.97). Following the announcement, searches for Puff Bar increased significantly at a rate of 16.61 queries per week (95%CI: 12.13 - 21.10). The rate of searches for Puff Bar then increased exponentially at 40.08 queries per week (95%CI: 27.32 - 52.84) following the FDA flavor ban, which excluded disposable e-cigarettes. Then, the rate of increase declined but remained relatively stable at 3.67 queries per week (95%CI: 0.69-6.65) until the FDA's notice to remove flavored Puff Bar products from the market. Following this notice, the rate of searches for Puff Bar significantly declined (rate: -4.97 queries per week; 95%CI: -5.40--4.54).

CONCLUSIONS

The tracking of online search data demonstrates rapid public recognition of the FDA's announcements of tobacco regulatory actions.

The inverse association of state cannabis vaping prevalence with the e-cigarette or vaping product-use associated lung injury

The e-cigarette or vaping product-use-associated lung injury (EVALI) epidemic was primarily associated with the use of e-cigarettes containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)- the principal psychoactive substance in cannabis, and vitamin-E-acetate- an additive sometimes used in informally sourced THC-containing e-liquids. EVALI case burden varied across states, but it is unclear whether this was associated with state-level cannabis vaping prevalence. We, therefore, used linear regression models to assess the cross-sectional association between state-level cannabis vaping prevalence (obtained from the 2019 behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) and EVALI case burden (obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) adjusted for state cannabis policies. Cannabis vaping prevalence ranged from 1.14%(95%CI, 0.61%-2.12%) in Wyoming to 3.11%(95%CI, 2.16%-4.44%) in New Hampshire. EVALI cases per million population ranged from 1.90(0.38-3.42) in Oklahoma to 59.10(19.70-96.53) in North Dakota. There was no significant positive association but an inverse association between state cannabis vaping prevalence and EVALI case burden (Coefficient, -18.6; 95%CI, -37.5-0.4; p-value, 0.05). Thus, state-level cannabis vaping prevalence was not positively associated with EVALI prevalence, suggesting that there may not be a simple direct link between state cannabis vaping prevalence and EVALI cases, but rather the relationship is likely more nuanced and possibly reflective of access to informal sources of THC-containing e-cigarettes.

Sex-and race-specific burden of aortic valve calcification among older adults without overt coronary heart disease: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The prevalence of aortic valve calcification (AVC) increases with age. However, the sex-and race-specific burden of AVC and associated cardiovascular risk factors among adults ≥75 years are not well studied.

METHODS

We calculated the sex-and race-specific burden of AVC among 2283 older Black and White adults (mean age:80.5 [SD:4.3] years) without overt coronary heart disease from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study who underwent non-contrast cardiac-gated CT-imaging at visit 7 (2018-2019). Using Poisson regression with robust variance, we calculated the adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) of the association of AVC with cardiovascular risk factors.

RESULTS

The overall AVC prevalence was 44.8%, with White males having the highest prevalence at 58.2%. The prevalence was similar for Black males (40.5%), White females (38.9%), and Black females (36.8%). AVC prevalence increased significantly with age among all race-sex groups. The probability of any AVC at age 80 years was 55.4%, 40.0%, 37.3%, and 36.2% for White males, Black males, White females, and Black females, respectively. Among persons with prevalent AVC, White males had the highest median AVC score (100.9 Agatston Units [AU]), followed by Black males (68.5AU), White females (52.3AU), and Black females (46.5AU). After adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, Black males (aPR:0.53; 95%CI:0.33-0.83), White females (aPR:0.68; 95%CI:0.61-0.77), and Black females (aPR:0.49; 95%CI:0.31-0.77) had lower AVC prevalence compared to White males. In addition, systolic blood pressure, non-HDL-cholesterol, and lipoprotein (a) were independently associated with AVC, with no significant race/sex interactions.

CONCLUSIONS

AVC, although highly prevalent, was not universally present in this cohort of older adults. White males had ∼50-60% higher prevalence than other race-sex groups. Moreover, cardiovascular risk factors measured in older age showed significant association with AVC.

Assessment of Patterns in e-Cigarette Use Among Adults in the US, 2017-2020

Importance

Updated data on the patterns of e-cigarette use among adults in the US are needed.

Objective

To examine recent patterns in current and daily e-cigarette use among US adults.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This repeated cross-sectional study used data from the 2017, 2018, and 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a nationally representative state-based survey of noninstitutionalized US adults. A total of 994 307 adults 18 years and older who were living in states and territories that provided data on e-cigarette use in 2017 (53 states and territories), 2018 (36 states and Guam), and 2020 (42 states and Guam) were included.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The weighted prevalence of current (past 30 days) and daily e-cigarette use was estimated for each year, and changes in prevalence from 2017 to 2020 were assessed, first overall and then stratified by participant characteristics, including state or territory of residence.

Results

Among 994 307 adults from states with data on e-cigarette use, 429 370 individuals (weighted 51.3% female) were participants in the 2017 survey, 280 184 (weighted 52.1% female) were participants in the 2018 survey, and 284 753 (weighted 52.1% female) were participants in the 2020 survey. The weighted proportions of young adults aged 18 to 24 years were 12.6% in 2017, 11.8% in 2018, and 11.9% in 2020. Across all 3 years, 17 035 participants (weighted, 1.0%) were American Indian or Alaska Native, 22 313 (weighted, 4.6%) were Asian, 75 780 (weighted, 12.2%) were Black, 72 190 (weighted, 15.1%) were Hispanic, 4817 (weighted, 0.2%) were Native Hawaiian, 757 140 (weighted, 65.1%) were White, 20 332 (weighted, 1.3%) were multiracial, and 6245 (weighted, 0.5%) were of other races and/or ethnicities. The prevalence of current e-cigarette use was 4.4% (95% CI, 4.3%-4.5%) in 2017, which increased to 5.5% (95% CI, 5.4%-5.7%) in 2018 and decreased slightly to 5.1% (95% CI, 4.9%-5.3%) in 2020. The recent decrease, though modest, was observed mainly among young adults aged 18 to 20 years (from 18.9% [95% CI, 17.2%-20.7%] to 15.6% [95% CI, 14.1%-17.1%]; P = .004). However, the prevalence of daily e-cigarette use increased consistently from 1.5% (95% CI, 1.4%-1.6%) in 2017 to 2.1% (95% CI, 2.0%-2.2%) in 2018 and 2.3% (95% CI, 2.2%-2.4%) in 2020. Among young adults aged 21 to 24 years, there was a slight, albeit insignificant, increase in the prevalence of current e-cigarette use (from 13.5% [95% CI, 12.3%-14.7%] to 14.5% [95% CI, 13.2%-15.9%]; P = .28) but a significant increase in the prevalence of daily e-cigarette use (from 4.4% [95% CI, 3.8%-5.1%] to 6.6% [95% CI, 5.6%-7.6%]; P < .001) between 2018 and 2020. State-level patterns in the prevalence of current e-cigarette use were heterogeneous, with states like Massachusetts (from 5.6% [95% CI, 4.8%-6.5%] to 4.1% [95% CI, 3.1%-5.3%]; P = .03) and New York (from 5.4% [95% CI, 4.9%-5.9%] to 4.1% [95% CI, 3.5%-4.7%]; P = .001) recording significant decreases between 2018 and 2020. In contrast, Guam (from 5.9% [95% CI, 4.5%-7.9%] to 11.4% [95% CI, 8.7%-14.8%]; P = .002) and Utah (from 6.1% [95% CI, 5.5%-6.7%] to 7.2% [95% CI, 6.5%-8.0%]; P = .02) recorded significant increases in current e-cigarette use over the same period.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, a slight decrease in the prevalence of current e-cigarette use was found between 2018 and 2020; this decrease was mainly observed among young adults aged 18 to 20 years. In contrast, daily e-cigarette use consistently increased, particularly among young adults aged 21 to 24 years. This increase in daily use suggests greater nicotine dependence among those who use e-cigarettes, warranting continued surveillance.

Maternal Glycemic Spectrum and Adverse Pregnancy and Perinatal Outcomes in a Multiracial US Cohort

Diabetes mellitus (pregestational (PDM) and gestational (GDM)) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). However, studies exploring the association of APOs with maternal glycemia among women without PDM/GDM are limited. We utilized data from 4119 women (307-PDM; 582-GDM; 3230-non-PDM/GDM) in the Boston Birth Cohort (1998-2016). Women in the non-PDM/GDM group were subdivided by tertiles of 1 h, 50 g oral glucose load test at 24-32 weeks: T1: 50-95 mg/dL (n = 1166), T2: 96-116 mg/dL (n = 1151), T3: 117-201 mg/dL (n = 913). Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined the association of maternal glycemia with APOs-preterm birth (PTB) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP)-and adverse perinatal outcomes-high birth weight (HBW), cesarean section (CS), and sub-analyses by race-ethnicity. Compared to women in T1, women in T2 and T3 had a higher prevalence of pre-existing hypertension (T1: 2.8% vs. T2: 5.2% vs. T3: 6.3%) and obesity (T1: 13.3% vs. T2: 18.1% vs. T3: 22.9%). Women in T2 and T3 had higher odds of HBW (adjusted odds ratio aOR T2: 1.47 [1.01-2.19] T3: 1.68 [1.13-2.50]) compared to women in T1. Additionally, women in T2, compared to T1, had higher odds of HDP (aOR 1.44 [1.10-1.88]). Among non-Hispanic Black (NHB) women, those in T2 and T3 had higher odds of HDP compared to T1 (aOR T2 1.67 [1.13-2.51]; T3: 1.68 [1.07-2.62]). GDM and PDM were associated with higher odds of HBW, CS, PTB, and HDP, compared to women in T1. In this predominantly NHB and Hispanic cohort, moderate maternal glycemia without PDM/GDM was associated with higher odds of HBW and HDP, even more strongly among NHB women. If confirmed, a review of current guidelines of glucose screening and risk stratification in pregnancy may be warranted.

Lipoprotein(a) and Subclinical Vascular and Valvular Calcification on Cardiac Computed Tomography: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Background Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a potent causal risk factor for cardiovascular events and mortality. However, its relationship with subclinical atherosclerosis, as defined by arterial calcification, remains unclear. This study uses the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study) to evaluate the relationship between Lp(a) in middle age and measures of vascular and valvular calcification in older age. Methods and Results Lp(a) was measured at ARIC visit 4 (1996-1998), and coronary artery calcium (CAC), together with extracoronary calcification (including aortic valve calcium, aortic valve ring calcium, mitral valve calcification, and thoracic aortic calcification), was measured at visit 7 (2018-2019). Lp(a) was defined as elevated if >50 mg/dL and CAC/extracoronary calcification were defined as elevated if >100. Logistic and linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between Lp(a) and CAC/extracoronary calcification, with further stratification by race. The mean age of participants at visit 4 was 59.2 (SD 4.3) years, with 62.2% women. In multivariable adjusted analyses, elevated Lp(a) was associated with higher odds of elevated aortic valve calcium (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.82; 95% CI, 1.34-2.47), CAC (aOR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.08-1.81), aortic valve ring calcium (aOR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.07-1.73), mitral valve calcification (aOR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.06-1.78), and thoracic aortic calcification (aOR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.05-1.77). Similar results were obtained when Lp(a) and CAC/extracoronary calcification were examined on continuous logarithmic scales. There was no significant difference in the association between Lp(a) and each measure of calcification by race or sex. Conclusions Elevated Lp(a) at middle age is significantly associated with vascular and valvular calcification in older age, represented by elevated CAC, aortic valve calcium, aortic valve ring calcium, mitral valve calcification, thoracic aortic calcification. Our findings encourage assessing Lp(a) levels in individuals with increased cardiovascular disease risk, with subsequent comprehensive vascular and valvular assessment where elevated.

Nativity-Related Disparities in Preterm Birth and Cardiovascular Risk in a Multiracial U.S. Cohort

INTRODUCTION

Having a preterm birth is associated with future cardiovascular risk. Non-Hispanic Black women have higher rates of preterm birth than non-Hispanic White and Hispanic women, but nativity-related disparities in preterm birth are not well understood.

METHODS

Data from 6,096 women in the Boston Birth Cohort: non-Hispanic Black (2,699), non-Hispanic White (997), or Hispanic (2,400), were analyzed in June 2021. Differences in cardiovascular risk factors were assessed. The association of preterm birth with nativity and duration of U.S. residence were investigated using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

U.S.-born women in all 3 racial-ethnic groups had a higher prevalence of obesity, smoking, and severe stress than foreign-born women. Foreign-born non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women had lower odds of preterm birth than U.S.-born counterparts (non-Hispanic Black: AOR=0.79, 95% CI=0.65, 0.97; Hispanic: AOR=0.72, 95% CI=0.56, 0.93). In all the 3 groups, foreign-born women with shorter (<10 years) duration of U.S. residence had lower odds of preterm birth than the U.S.-born women (non-Hispanic Black: AOR=0.57, 95% CI=0.43, 0.75; Hispanic: AOR=0.72, 95% CI=0.55, 0.94; non-Hispanic White: AOR=0.46, 95% CI=0.25, 0.85), whereas the odds of preterm birth in foreign-born women with ≥10 years of residence were not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS

Foreign-born women had better cardiovascular risk profiles in all groups and lower odds of preterm birth in non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic groups. In all the 3 groups, a shorter duration of U.S. residence was associated with lower odds of preterm birth. Further studies are needed to understand the biological and social determinants underlying these nativity-related disparities and the impact of acculturation.

Association of Online Search Trends With Vaccination in the United States: June 2020 Through May 2021

Stagnating COVID-19 vaccination rates and vaccine hesitancy remain a threat to public health. Improved strategies for real-time tracking and estimation of population-level behavior regarding vaccinations are needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether online search trends for COIVD-19 and influenza mirror vaccination rates. State-level weekly fraction of online searches for top vaccination-related search terms and CDC vaccination data were obtained from June 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021. Next, trends in online search and vaccination data for COVID-19 and influenza were analyzed for visual and quantitative correlation patterns using Spearman’s rank correlation analysis. Online searches in the US for COVID-19 vaccinations increased 2.71-fold (95% CI: 1.98-3.45) in the 4 weeks after the FDA emergency authorization compared to the precedent 4 weeks. In March-April 2021, US online searches reached a plateau that was followed by a decline of 83.3% (95% CI: 31.2%-135.3%) until May 31, 2021. The timing of peaks in online searches varied across US states. Online searches were strongly correlated with vaccination rates (r=0.71, 95% CI: 0.45 - 0.87), preceding actual reported vaccination rates in 44 of 51 states. Online search trends preceded vaccination trends by a median of 3.0 weeks (95% CI: 2.0-4.0 weeks) across all states. For influenza vaccination searches, seasonal peaks in September-October between 2016-2020 were noted. Influenza search trends highly correlated with the timing of actual vaccinations for the 2019-2020 (r=0.82, 95% CI: 0.64 – 0.93) and 2020-2021 season (r=0.91, 95% CI: 0.78 – 0.97). Search trends and real-world vaccination rates are highly correlated. Temporal alignment and correlation levels were higher for influenza vaccinations; however, only online searches for COVID-19 vaccination preceded vaccination trends. These findings indicate that US online search data can potentially guide public health efforts, including policy changes and identifying geographical areas to expand vaccination campaigns.

Mean Versus Peak Coronary Calcium Density on Non-Contrast CT: Calcium Scoring and ASCVD Risk Prediction

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to assess the relationship between mean vs peak calcified plaque density and their impact on calculating coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores and to compare the corresponding differential prediction of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality.

BACKGROUND

The Agatston CAC score is quantified per lesion as the product of plaque area and a 4-level categorical peak calcium density factor. However, mean calcium density may more accurately measure the heterogenous mixture of lipid-rich, fibrous, and calcified plaque reflective of ASCVD risk.

METHODS

We included 10,373 individuals from the CAC Consortium who had CAC >0 and per-vessel measurements of peak calcium density factor and mean calcium density. Area under the curve and continuous net reclassification improvement analyses were performed for CHD and ASCVD mortality to compare the predictive abilities of mean calcium density vs peak calcium density factor when calculating the Agatston CAC score.

RESULTS

Participants were on average 53.4 years of age, 24.4% were women, and the median CAC score was 68 Agatston units. The average values for mean calcium density and peak calcium density factor were 210 ± 50 HU and 3.1 ± 0.5, respectively. Individuals younger than 50 years of age and/or those with a total plaque area <100 mm2 had the largest differences between the peak and mean density measures. Among persons with CAC 1-99, the use of mean calcium density resulted in a larger improvement in ASCVD mortality net reclassification improvement (NRI) (NRI = 0.49; P < 0.001 vs. NRI = 0.18; P = 0.08) and CHD mortality discrimination (Δ area under the curve (AUC) = +0.169 vs +0.036; P < 0.001) compared with peak calcium density factor. Neither peak nor mean calcium density improved mortality prediction at CAC scores >100.

CONCLUSION

Mean and peak calcium density may differentially describe plaque composition early in the atherosclerotic process. Mean calcium density performs better than peak calcium density factor when combined with plaque area for ASCVD mortality prediction among persons with Agatston CAC 1-99.

Disparities in cardiometabolic risk profiles and gestational diabetes mellitus by nativity and acculturation: findings from 2016-2017 National Health Interview Survey

INTRODUCTION

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication of pregnancy with implications for cardiovascular health. Among reproductive-aged women, less is known about nativity-related disparities in cardiometabolic risk profiles and GDM history. We examined how cardiometabolic risk profiles and GDM history differed by nativity and explored associations between acculturation, cardiometabolic risk profiles and GDM history.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2016-2017 National Health Interview Survey among reproductive-aged women (18-49 years) who both reported ever being pregnant and answered the question on GDM history. Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined the percentage with GDM history and compared cardiometabolic profiles by nativity status and acculturation (duration of US residence).

RESULTS

Of 9525 women, 22.5% were foreign-born. Also, 11.7% of foreign-born women had a GDM history vs 9.6% of US-born women. Foreign-born women with ≥10 years US residence had the highest age-standardized percentage with GDM history (11.0%) compared with US-born women (9.2%) and foreign-born women with <10 years US residence (6.7%). US-born women had a higher prevalence of hypertension, current smoking, and alcohol use than foreign-born women. Among foreign-born women, those with ≥10 years US residence had a higher prevalence of hypertension, current smoking, and alcohol use than those with <10 years US residence. In the fully adjusted model, foreign-born women with ≥10 years US residence had higher odds of GDM history than US-born women (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.17 to 1.76) while foreign-born women with <10 years US residence and US-born women has similar odds of GDM history.

CONCLUSIONS

Greater duration of US residence may be associated with nativity-related disparities in GDM. Acculturation, including changing health-related behaviors may explain the disparities among foreign-born women and should be further investigated to appropriately target interventions to prevent GDM and future cardiometabolic diseases.

Racial Disparities in Gestational Diabetes by Maternal Nativity and Length of US Residence in an Urban Low-income Population in the United States

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Racial/ethnic differences in GDM prevalence have been described, but disparities by nativity and duration of US residence are not well studied.

Methods

We analyzed data from 6088 women (mean age: 27.5 years [standard deviation: 6.3 years]) from the Boston Birth Cohort who self-identified as non-Hispanic Black (NHB; n = 2697), Hispanic (n = 2395), or non-Hispanic White (NHW; n = 996). Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined the cross-sectional association of nativity and duration of US residence (< 10 vs ≥ 10 years) with GDM within each race/ethnicity group.

Results

Foreign-born NHB, NHW, and Hispanic women with a duration of US residence of < 10 years had a lower prevalence of CVD risk factors than those with US residence of ≥ 10 years, respectively, as follows: smoking (NHB: 1.7% vs 3.1%; NHW: 5.7% vs 8.1%; Hispanic: 0.4% vs 2.6%); obesity (NHB: 17.1% vs 23.4%; NHW: 3.8% vs 15.6%; Hispanic: 10.9% vs 22.7%); and severe stress (NHB: 8.7% vs 11.9%; NHW: 5.7% vs 28.1%; Hispanic: 3.8% vs 7.3%). In analyses adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and CVD risk factors, foreign-born NHB women with a duration of US residence of < 10 years had higher odds of having GDM (adjusted odds ratio: 1.60, 95% confidence interval: 0.99-2.60), compared with their US-born counterparts, whereas foreign-born Hispanic women with a duration of US residence of < 10 years had lower odds of having GDM (adjusted odds ratio: 0.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.32-0.91). The odds of having GDM in Hispanic and NHB women with a duration of US residence of ≥ 10 years were not significantly different from those of their US-born counterparts.

Conclusions

The “healthy immigrant effect” and its waning with longer duration of US residence apply to the prevalence of GDM among Hispanic women but not NHB women. Further research on the intersectionality of race and nativity-based disparities is needed.

Aspirin for cardiovascular disease prevention among adults in the United States: Trends, prevalence, and participant characteristics associated with use

OBJECTIVE

: Aspirin has been widely utilized over several decades for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) prevention among adults in the United States. We examined trends in aspirin use among adults aged ≥40 years from 1998 to 2019 and assessed factors associated with its use for primary and secondary ASCVD prevention.

METHODS

: Using 1998-2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, we obtained weighted prevalence of aspirin use among adults aged ≥40 years for each year and examined trends in use over this period. Using multivariable logistic regression and utilizing data from 54,388 respondents aged ≥40 years in the 2019 data, we assessed factors associated with aspirin use for secondary prevention and for primary prevention stratified by the number of traditional ASCVD risk factors reported (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, overweight/obesity, and cigarette smoking).

RESULTS

: Aspirin use prevalence increased from 29.0%(95%CI, 27.9%-30.2%) in 1998 to 37.5%(36.9%-38.0%) in 2009. However, use has slightly declined over the last decade: 35.6%(34.6%-36.6%) in 2011 to 33.5%(32.5%-34.6%) in 2019. In 2019, among respondents without cardiovascular disease (CVD), 27.5%(26.4%-28.6%) reported primary prevention aspirin use while 69.7%(67.0%-72.2%) of respondents with CVD reported secondary prevention aspirin use. Of concern, 45.6%(43.5%-47.7%) of adults aged ≥70 years without CVD reported primary prevention aspirin use. Additionally, among individuals without any self-reported traditional ASCVD risk factor, males (adjusted odds ratio(aOR):1.60, 95%CI:1.12-2.27), persons aged ≥70 years (aOR:3.22, 95%CI:2.27-4.55), and individuals with healthcare coverage (aOR:2.28, 95%CI:1.17-4.44) had higher odds of primary prevention aspirin use compared to females, persons aged 40-69 years, and individuals without healthcare coverage, respectively. Females were less likely than males to report secondary prevention aspirin use (aOR:0.64, 95%CI:0.50-0.82).

CONCLUSION

: Aspirin use has slightly declined over the last decade. A significant proportion of adults aged ≥70 years reported primary prevention aspirin use in 2019. Since current guidelines do not recommend primary prevention aspirin use among adults aged ≥70 years, such use should be discouraged.

Cannabis vaping among adults in the United States: Prevalence, trends, and association with high-risk behaviors and adverse respiratory conditions

The e-cigarette or vaping product-use-associated lung injury outbreak in the United States has raised concerns about the potential health effects of cannabis vaping, a method of cannabis use that is becoming increasingly popular. We used 2017-2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to estimate yearly prevalence and trends of past-30-day cannabis use and vaping among US adults. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the associations of cannabis vaping with high-risk behaviors, asthma, and other respiratory symptoms. Our sample size was 160,209 (53,945-2017; 55,475-2018; and 50,789-2019). Past-30-day cannabis use prevalence increased from 10.0% (95% CI, 9.4%-10.7%) in 2017 to 13.4% (12.8%-12.0%) in 2019. Similarly, past-30-day cannabis vaping prevalence increased from 1.0% (0.8%-1.2%) to 2.0% (1.7%-2.2%) over the same period, with the greatest increase, 1.2% to 3.9%, observed among young adults (18-24 years). Individuals who vaped cannabis were more likely to concurrently vape nicotine. Cannabis vaping was associated with increased odds of heavy alcohol use (aOR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.45-2.63), binge drinking (aOR, 2.82; 95% CI, 2.25-3.54), and other high-risk behaviors (aOR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.89-3.24). In analyses adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and body mass index, cannabis vaping was not associated with asthma (aOR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.64-1.64) or other respiratory symptoms (aOR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.44-2.63). Adjusting for nicotine vaping did not substantively alter these associations. The prevalence of past-30-day cannabis vaping has increased, particularly among young adults, and was associated with high-risk behaviors. Although there was no association between cannabis vaping and asthma or other respiratory symptoms, the increasing trends of cannabis vaping, particularly among young adults, raise concern and underscore the need for continued surveillance.

Nativity-Related Disparities in Preeclampsia and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among a Racially Diverse Cohort of US Women

IMPORTANCE

Preeclampsia is an independent risk factor for future cardiovascular disease and disproportionally affects non-Hispanic Black women. The association of maternal nativity and duration of US residence with preeclampsia and other cardiovascular risk factors is well described among non-Hispanic Black women but not among women of other racial and ethnic groups.

OBJECTIVE

To examine differences in cardiovascular risk factors and preeclampsia prevalence by race and ethnicity, nativity, and duration of US residence among Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic White women.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cross-sectional analysis of the Boston Birth Cohort included a racially diverse cohort of women who had singleton deliveries at the Boston Medical Center from October 1, 1998, to February 15, 2016. Participants self-identified as Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, or non-Hispanic White. Data were analyzed from March 1 to March 31, 2021.

EXPOSURES

Maternal nativity and duration of US residence (<10 vs ≥10 years) were self-reported.

MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES

Diagnosis of preeclampsia, the outcome of interest, was retrieved from maternal medical records.

RESULTS

A total of 6096 women (2400 Hispanic, 2699 non-Hispanic Black, and 997 non-Hispanic White) with a mean (SD) age of 27.5 (6.3) years were included in the study sample. Compared with Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women, non-Hispanic Black women had the highest prevalence of chronic hypertension (204 of 2699 [7.5%] vs 65 of 2400 [2.7%] and 28 of 997 [2.8%], respectively), obesity (658 of 2699 [24.4%] vs 380 of 2400 [15.8%] and 152 of 997 [15.2%], respectively), and preeclampsia (297 of 2699 [11.0%] vs 212 of 2400 [8.8%] and 71 of 997 [7.1%], respectively). Compared with their counterparts born outside the US, US-born women in all 3 racial and ethnic groups had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity (Hispanic women, 132 of 556 [23.7%] vs 248 of 1844 [13.4%]; non-Hispanic Black women, 444 of 1607 [27.6%] vs 214 of 1092 [19.6%]; non-Hispanic White women, 132 of 776 [17.0%] vs 20 of 221 [9.0%]), smoking (Hispanic women, 98 of 556 [17.6%] vs 30 of 1844 [1.6%]; non-Hispanic Black women, 330 of 1607 [20.5%] vs 53 of 1092 [4.9%]; non-Hispanic White women, 382 of 776 [49.2%] vs 42 of 221 [19.0%]), and severe stress (Hispanic women, 76 of 556 [13.7%] vs 85 of 1844 [4.6%]; non-Hispanic Black women, 231 of 1607 [14.4%] vs 120 of 1092 [11.0%]; non-Hispanic White women, 164 of 776 [21.1%] vs 26 of 221 [11.8%]). After adjusting for sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors, birth status outside the US (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.74 [95% CI, 0.55-1.00]) and shorter duration of US residence (aOR, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.41-0.93]) were associated with lower odds of preeclampsia among non-Hispanic Black women. However, among Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women, maternal nativity (aOR for Hispanic women, 1.07 [95% CI, 0.72-1.60]; aOR for non-Hispanic White women, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.49-1.96]) and duration of US residence (aOR for Hispanic women <10 years, 1.04 [95% CI, 0.67-1.59]; aOR for non-Hispanic White women <10 years, 1.20 [95% CI, 0.48-3.02]) were not associated with preeclampsia.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Nativity-related disparities in preeclampsia persisted among non-Hispanic Black women but not among Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women after adjusting for sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors. Further research is needed to explore the interplay of factors contributing to nativity-related disparities in preeclampsia, particularly among non-Hispanic Black women.

The Association of Preterm Birth With Maternal Nativity and Length of Residence Among Non-Hispanic Black Women

Background

Preterm birth (PTB) is associated with future cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and disproportionally affects non-Hispanic Black (NHB) women. Limited data exist on the influence of length of US residence on nativity-related disparities in PTB. We examined PTB by maternal nativity (US born vs foreign born) and length of US residence among NHB women.

Methods

We analyzed data from 2699 NHB women (1607 US born; 1092 foreign born) in the Boston Birth Cohort, originally designed as a case-control study. Using multivariable logistic regression, we investigated the association of PTB with maternal nativity and length of US residence.

Results

In the total sample, 29.1% of women delivered preterm (31.4% and 25.6% among US born and foreign born, respectively). Compared with foreign born, US-born women were younger (25.8 vs 29.5 years), had higher prevalence of obesity (27.6% vs 19.6%), smoking (20.5% vs 4.9%), alcohol use (13.2% vs 7.4%), and moderate to severe stress (73.5% vs 59.4%) (all P < 0.001). Compared with US-born women, foreign-born women had lower odds of PTB after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, alcohol use, stress, parity, smoking, body mass index, chronic hypertension, and diabetes (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65-0.97). Foreign-born NHB women with < 10 years of US residence had 43% lower odds of PTB compared with US-born (aOR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.43-0.75), whereas those with ≥ 10 years of US residence did not differ significantly from US-born women in their odds of PTB (aOR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.54-1.07).

Conclusions

The prevalence of CVD risk factors and proportion of women delivering preterm were lower in foreign-born than US-born NHB women. The "foreign-born advantage" was not observed with ≥ 10 years of US residence. Our study highlights the need to intensify public health efforts in exploring and addressing nativity-related disparities in PTB.

Thoracic Aortic Calcium for the Prediction of Stroke Mortality (from the Coronary Artery Calcium Consortium)

Thoracic aortic calcium(TAC) is an important marker of extracoronary atherosclerosis with established predictive value for all-cause mortality. We sought to explore the predictive value of TAC for stroke mortality, independent of the more established coronary artery calcium (CAC) score. The CAC Consortium is a retrospectively assembled database of 66,636 patients aged ≥18 years with no previous history of cardiovascular disease, baseline CAC scans for risk stratification, and follow-up for 12 ± 4 years. CAC scans capture the adjacent thoracic aorta, enabling assessment of TAC from the same images. TAC was available in 41,066 (62%), and was primarily analyzed as present or not present. To account for competing risks for nonstroke death, we utilized multivariable-adjusted Fine and Gray competing risk regression models adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors and CAC score. The mean age of participants was 53.8 ± 10.3 years, with 34.4% female. There were 110 stroke deaths during follow-up. The unadjusted subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) for stroke mortality in those who had TAC present compared with those who did not was 8.80 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.97, 12.98). After adjusting for traditional risk factors and CAC score, the SHR was 2.21 (95% CI:1.39,3.49). In sex-stratified analyses, the fully adjusted SHR for females was 3.42 (95% CI: 1.74, 6.73) while for males it was 1.55 (95% CI: 0.83, 2.90). TAC was associated with stroke mortality independent of CAC and traditional risk factors, more so in women. The presence of TAC appears to be an independent risk marker for stroke mortality.

Abstract 048: Disparities In Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Among US- Vs. Foreign-born Women: An Analysis Of 2016-2017 National Health Interview Survey

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication of pregnancy. Although GDM is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease it is unclear whether the associations between GDM prevalence and cardiometabolic risk factors differ between US- and foreign-born women and whether length of US residence influences these associations.

Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2016-2017 National Health Interview Survey among women currently living in the US who both reported ever being pregnant and responded to the survey question about GDM. Using generalized linear models with binomial distribution and logit link, we examined the prevalence of GDM by nativity status and length of US residence adjusting for potential confounders (Table).

Results: Of 24,466 women, 14.3% were foreign-born. The crude prevalence of GDM was higher among foreign-born (9.0%) compared to US-born women (7.1%). Foreign-born women with ≥10 years of residence in the US had the highest age-standardized GDM prevalence (8.3%) compared to US-born (7.5%) and foreign-born women with <10 years US residence (4.8%). Among women with a history of GDM, US-born women were more likely to be overweight/ obese, report a history of hypertension, be current smokers and alcohol drinkers than foreign-born women. Among foreign-born women, those with ≥10 years of US residence had higher prevalence of hypertension, smoking and alcohol use than those with <10 years in the US. In the fully adjusted regression model, only foreign-born women with ≥10 years of residence in the US had a significantly higher prevalence of GDM than US-born women (PR=1.43; 95% CI:1.22-1.67).

Conclusions: In this sample of women with self-reported GDM, greater length of US residence contributes to nativity-related disparities in GDM. Acculturation, including changing health-related behaviors, may have a larger impact on maternal health outcomes of foreign-born women, and should be a target of interventions to reduce GDM and future cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular-related health behaviors and lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic: An infodemiology study

Background

Reports have suggested decreasing attention to CVD comorbidities during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite their association with worse virus-related outcomes. Using nowcasting tools, we sought to explore temporal trends in public interest by studying use of online search terms related to CVD comorbidities during the pandemic time period.

Methods

We queried Google Trends for recent (October 2019–October 2020) and seasonal (October 2016–October 2020) trends of search terms pertaining to cardiovascular-related behaviors or clinical care including clinical diagnostic and therapeutic-related terms. Additionally, we acquired data from Google Shopping Insights to explore consumer behavior. Data for search results in the US were compared using mean relative search volumes (RSV), tabulated by month.

Results

Online search interest in the terms “Exercise” and “Cigarettes” changed by +18.0% and −52.5%, respectively, comparing March–April with January–February 2020. Key terms related to CVD-related care, including diagnostic and therapeutic-related terms such as “Statin”, “Lipid profile”, “Low-density lipoprotein”, and “Hemoglobin A1C” declined to a four-year low in late March 2020 but regained pre-pandemic search query frequency by July 2020. Results were supported by Google Shopping analysis; for example, online consumer shopping-related searches for tobacco products reached at an all-year low after May 2020.

Conclusion

We report an increase in search interest for an overall healthier CVD-related lifestyle starting in March 2020, supported by online consumer shopping behavior. However, a months-long trough in public interest for CVD care-related search terms from March–May 2020 suggests a transient but substantial decrease in public focus on cardiovascular-related healthcare engagement. Future research is needed to understand if these mixed signals will persist into 2021 and how they potentially translate into real-world CVD-related event rates.

Relationship of Preeclampsia With Maternal Place of Birth and Duration of Residence Among Non-Hispanic Black Women in the United States

BACKGROUND

Preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the United States. It disproportionately affects non-Hispanic Black (NHB) women, but little is known about how preeclampsia and other cardiovascular disease risk factors vary among different subpopulations of NHB women in the United States. We investigated the prevalence of preeclampsia by nativity (US born versus foreign born) and duration of US residence among NHB women.

METHODS

We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Boston Birth Cohort (1998-2016), with a focus on NHB women. We performed multivariable logistic regression to investigate associations between preeclampsia, nativity, and duration of US residence after controlling for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Of 2697 NHB women, 40.5% were foreign born. Relative to them, US-born NHB women were younger, in higher percentage current smokers, had higher prevalence of obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) and maternal stress, but lower educational level. The age-adjusted prevalence of preeclampsia was 12.4% and 9.1% among US-born and foreign-born women, respectively. When further categorized by duration of US residence, the prevalence of all studied cardiovascular disease risk factors except for diabetes was lower among foreign-born NHB women with <10 versus ≥10 years of US residence. Additionally, the odds of preeclampsia in foreign-born NHB women with duration of US residence <10 years was 37% lower than in US-born NHB women. In contrast, the odds of preeclampsia in foreign-born NHB women with duration of US residence ≥10 years was not significantly different from that of US-born NHB women after adjusting for potential confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of preeclampsia and other cardiovascular disease risk factors is lower in foreign-born than in US-born NHB women. The healthy immigrant effect, which typically results in health advantages for foreign-born women, appears to wane with longer duration of US residence (≥10 years). Further research is needed to better understand these associations.

Influence of urine pH and urinary flow on the renal excretion of memantine

AIMS

The present study assessed the influence of urinary flow rate and urine pH on the renal excretion of the NMDA-receptor antagonist memantine.

METHODS

In a randomized, open, four-period cross-over trial, 12 healthy male volunteers received 10 mg memantine daily for 43 days. After reaching steady state conditions the volunteers were allocated to four different regimens to alter urine pH and urinary flow, which were each separated by a 1 week period while the study medication continued (A: acidification of urine pH, low urinary flow; B: acidification of urine pH, high urinary flow; C: alkalinization of urine pH, low urinary flow; D: alkalinization of urine pH, high urinary flow).

RESULTS

The renal clearance of memantine (CL(R)) in regimen A and B was 7-10 fold higher in comparison with regimen C and D (P<0.05). There were small but statistically significant differences of CL(R) between the two regimens with acidic urine pH (A: median: 210.2 ml min(-1) vs B: median: 218.7 ml min(-1)) and between the two regimens with alkaline urine pH (C: median: 19.4 ml min(-1) vs D: median: 30.5 ml min(-1)). The amount of memantine excreted into the urine within one regimen (Ae0-24h) was 5.7-7.4 fold higher in regimens A and B than C and D (P< 0.05). Differences of the AUC(0,24 h) and Cmax/AUC(0,24 h) were significant (P<0.05) between each of the regimens with acidic urine pH (A, B) and regimens (C, D) with alkaline urine pH (A vs C, A vs D, B vs C, B vs D) but not between regimens A vs B or C vs D.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated a considerable effect of urine pH, whereas no clinically relevant change of the renal excretion of memantine with urinary flow could be detected. As the renal excretion of memantine may have an impact on therapeutic efficacy changes of dietary habits that may alter urine pH should be avoided during treatment with memantine.