Examining relationships between cardiovascular disease and psychiatric disorders among Latinos in the United States

Objectives. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among Latinos in the U.S. and disproportionately impacts people with psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between CVD and psychiatric disorders using a nationally representative sample of Latinos.

Methods. Latinos participants (N = 6,359) were drawn from Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a nationally representative study conducted in the U. S.  The AUDADIS-IV, a structured diagnostic interview, was used to determine psychiatric diagnoses for any past-year mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders.  Self-reported measure of physician diagnosed CVD (e.g., heart attack, stroke) was used.  Logistic regression models were used to examine the relationships between CVD and psychiatric disorders adjusting for demographic (e.g., gender, age) and BMI variables.

 Results. CVD rates were higher for Puerto Ricans (12%) and Cubans (11%), followed by other- Latinos (7%) and Mexicans (5%).  After controlling for demographic variables and BMI, the relationships between CVD and psychiatric disorders differ significantly by Latino groups.  For Puerto Ricans, any mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders were associated with higher odds of CVD.  For Mexicans and other-Latinos, any mood and anxiety disorders were associated with higher odds of CVD.  Cubans reported no significant relationships between CVD and psychiatric disorders.

Conclusions. This study shows the differential impact that psychiatric disorders have on CVD among Latinos. Culturally-appropriate prevention and treatment strategies are needed to reduce the negative impacts of psychiatric-medical comorbidities among Latinos in the U.S.