Socioeconomic status variables predict cardiovascular disease risk factors and prospective mortality risk among women with chest pain. The WISE Study.
This study examined the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES), coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors, and all-cause mortality in a cohort of women with chest pain. A total of 743 women (mean age = 59.6 years) with chest pain who were referred for coronary angiography completed a diagnostic protocol including CAD risk factor assessment, ischemic testing, psychosocial testing, and queries of SES. Patients were followed for about 2 years to track subsequent all-cause mortality. Results indicated that low SES was associated with CAD risk factors, including higher BMI and waist-hip ratios, cigarette smoking, lower reported activity levels, and a greater probability of hypertension. Low income also predicted all-cause mortality (RR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.4, 5.2), including after adjusting for proposed psychosocial and behavioral variables (RR = 5.9, 95% CI 1.2-29.7). Future research will require a thorough a priori focus on potential mechanisms to better understand SES effects on health.
Rutledge
Thomas
T
University of Pittsburgh, USA. thomas.rutledge@med.va.gov
Reis
Steven E
SE
Olson
Marian
M
Owens
Jane
J
Kelsey
Sheryl F
SF
Pepine
Carl J
CJ
Reichek
Nathaniel
N
Rogers
William J
WJ
Bairey-Merz
C Noel
CN
Sopko
George
G
Cornell
Carol E
CE
Matthews
Karen A
KA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D014481:United States