Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score: Results from the Filipino-American Women Cardiovascular Study.

INTRODUCTION: Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality of Filipino-Americans, conventional CVD risk calculators may not be accurate for this population. CVD risk scores of a group of Filipino-American women (FAW) were measured using the major risk calculators. Secondly, the sensitivity of the various calculators to obesity was determined. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study that enrolled 40-65-year-old FAW (n = 236), during a community-based health screening study. Ten-year CVD risk was calculated using the Framingham Risk Score (FRS), Reynolds Risk Score (RRS), and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) calculators. The 30-year risk FRS and the lifetime ASCVD calculators were also determined. RESULTS: Levels of predicted CVD risk varied as a function of the calculator. The 10-year ASCVD calculator classified 12 % of participants with ≥10 % risk, but the 10-year FRS and RRS calculators classified all participants with ≤10 % risk. The 30-year "Hard" Lipid and BMI FRS calculators classified 32 and 43 % of participants with high (≥20 %) risk, respectively, while 95 % of participants were classified with ≥20 % risk by the lifetime ASCVD calculator. The percent of participants with elevated CVD risk increased as a function of waist circumference for most risk score calculators. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in risk score as a function of the risk score calculator indicate the need for outcome studies in this population. Increased waist circumference was associated with increased CVD risk scores underscoring the need for obesity control as a primary prevention of CVD in FAW.

One size does not fit all: cardiovascular health disparities as a function of ethnicity in Asian-American women.

OBJECTIVE: Although few studies have examined cardiovascular disease in Asian-American subgroups separately, limited data in Asian Americans strongly suggest that some subgroups are at increased risk. The present study examined modifiable cardiovascular risk factor profiles as a function of Asian ethnicity. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional pilot study recruited Asian-American women (N=147) in northeast Florida including Cambodians (n=39), Chinese (n=36), Filipinos (n=49), and Vietnamese (n=23). Risk factors included blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference and blood lipids. RESULTS: Filipino participants (41%) had ≥4 risk factors compared to 21% Cambodian, 13% Vietnamese and 0% Chinese. The Chinese had significantly more participants (44%) with the absence of CVD risk factors compared to all other subgroups. Obesity rate (18%), mean BMI: 26 ± 5 kg/m(2) and mean triglycerides (173 ± 103 mg/dL) were highest in Filipinas (n=49). The Chinese (n=36) had a low rate (4%) of obesity with a mean BMI of 23 ± 3 kg/m(2) and the least risk factors along with the lowest triglycerides (88 ± 44 mg/dL). Cambodians (n=39; BMI of 24 ± 3 kg/m(2)) and Vietnamese (n=23; BMI: 22 ± 3 kg/m(2)) had low rates of obesity with comparable rates of unhealthy lipids and hypertension as the Filipinas. CONCLUSIONS: Modifiable CVD risk factor profiles significantly differed as a function of ethnicity supporting the premise that Asian-American women cannot be categorized as one group and the traditional "one size fits all" prevention or treatment of CVD risk factors should be re-considered.

The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and diabetes increases with a body mass index of > or = 23 kg/m2 in Filipino American women.

OBJECTIVE: Although elevated body mass index (BMI) increases the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes universally, the BMI associated with increased risk for these two diseases needs to be established for Filipino American women (FAW). The relationship of BMI with diabetes and other CVD risk factors in FAW was investigated to determine if BMI levels less than the conventional 25 kg/m2 are associated with increased CVD risk factors. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study conducted in four cities, FAW (n=193), aged 40 to 65 years, were screened for CVD risk factors and diabetes. Mean concentrations and prevalence of CVD risk factors were examined as a function of BMI category (BMI < or =22.9 n=41, BMI 23-24.9 n=46, BMI 25-29.9 n=75, and BMI > or =30 n= 31). RESULTS: Body mass index correlated significantly with waist circumference (P<.0001), systolic blood pressure (P<.0001), diastolic blood pressure (P<.001), fasting blood glucose (P<.05), hemoglobin A1c (P<.001), triglycerides (P<.001), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (P<.001) and high density lipoprotein -C (P<.001). The prevalence of diabetes, decreased levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, hypertension, elevated triglycerides, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein increased significantly (P<.01-.001) with BMI categories starting at BMI 23-24.9 kg/m2. CONCLUSION: Body mass index was an excellent predictor of elevated CVD risk factors in this population and the prevalence of most of these factors increased at BMIs as low as 23-24.9 kg/m2 suggesting a need to investigate risk factors and CVD events as a function of BMI in larger studies of Filipino American women.

The Association between KIF6 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism rs20455 and Serum Lipids in Filipino-American Women.

The Trp719Arg allele of KIF6 rs20455, a putative risk factor for CHD especially in those with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), was investigated in Filipino-American women (FAW, n = 235) participating in health screenings in four cities. The rs20455 genotype of each subject was determined by a multiplex assay using a Luminex-OLA procedure. The risk allele Trp719Arg was present in 77% of the subjects. The genotype distribution was 23% Trp/Trp, 51% Arg/Trp, and 26% Arg/Arg. Genotype did not predict the presence of CHD risk factors. Moreover, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides mean values did not vary as a function of genotype. However, those with the Arg/Arg genotype on statin medication exhibited a significantly higher mean triglycerides level (P < 0.01). Approximately 60% of participants regardless of genotype exhibited LDL-C levels ≥100 mg/dL but were not taking medication. Approximately 43% of those with the Trp719Arg risk allele on statins exhibited elevated LDL-C levels. Our study suggests that the Trp719Arg allele of KIF 6 rs20455 is common among Filipino-American women; thus, even with borderline LDL-C levels would benefit from statin treatment. Secondly, many participants did not exhibit guideline recommended LDL-C levels including many who were on statin drugs.

A comparison of metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors in Filipino women and Filipino American women: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in women of Filipino ethnicity. The objective of our work was to determine if metabolic syndrome (MetS), a modifiable CVD risk factor, differs in women as a function of country of residency and to determine if, CVD prevention strategies need to differ for these groups of Filipino women. DESIGN: Data were collected in community-based health screenings for this cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: PARTICIPANTS were recruited at places of worship in southeast United States (n=60) and Central Visayas, Philippines (n=56). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of MetS and its component factors as defined by the International Diabetes Federation criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS in Filipino women (FW) and Filipino American women (FAW) groups was similar (52% vs 55%, P=.08) although the prevalence of elevated waist circumference was greater for FAW (78% vs 59%, P=.03). Conversely, the percentage of FW women with risk-associated high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels was higher than the FAW group (84% vs 42%, P<.001). Other MetS component factors (blood pressure, glucose and triglycerides) did not significantly differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Similar high rates of MetS were observed in Filipino women regardless of the country of residency although the FAW tended to have higher rates of central obesity while the FW tended to have higher rates of risk-associated HDL levels. Further research should examine the cause of these differences in order to develop better cardiovascular screening and intervention strategies.