title: Effect of Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy on the Cardiovascular Health of Black and White Breast Cancer Patients.
abstract: The present study examined racial differences in the cardiovascular health effects of aromatase inhibitors.
  
  
  
  Data were analyzed from 77 white and 35 black patients with early-stage breast cancer initiating aromatase inhibitor therapy and subsequently followed for 1 year. At baseline and a 1-year follow-up clinic visit, a comprehensive cardiovascular health assessment was conducted, which included measurement of carotid intima-medial thickness and a blood draw to measure high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and cholesterol concentrations. A detailed questionnaire was also completed. The information collected was used to calculate each patient's 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events at both measurement points. Paired t tests were used to examine the changes in the continuous outcome variables within groups during the study period. Independent t tests were conducted to examine the changes over time between the 2 groups.
  
  
  
  No statistically significant changes in carotid intima-medial thickness, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score, or the other cardiovascular-related outcomes (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, cholesterol levels, blood pressure) during the first year of aromatase inhibitor therapy were observed among either the black or white breast cancer patients or between the 2 groups. Mean grip strength in the dominant hand decreased significantly and similarly during the 1-year period for the white and black breast cancer patients.
  
  
  
  The findings from the present study suggest no large adverse cardiovascular health effects from aromatase inhibitors during the first year of therapy among either black or white breast cancer patients. However, the results of the present study cannot rule out the potential for long-term adverse changes over the duration of aromatase inhibitor therapy or beyond.
authors.affiliation: Prevention and Research Center, The Weinberg Center for Women's Health and Medicine, Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD; Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD. Electronic address: lisagallicchio@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallicchio
authors.affiliation: Prevention and Research Center, The Weinberg Center for Women's Health and Medicine, Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Calhoun
authors.affiliation: Prevention and Research Center, The Weinberg Center for Women's Health and Medicine, Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Helzlsouer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000208:ethnology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors
keywords: Carotid intima-medial thickness; Health disparities; High sensitivity C-reactive protein; Hormonal therapy