Project description:BackgroundAsian Americans are a rapidly growing racial/ethnic group in the United States. Our current understanding of Asian-American cardiovascular disease mortality patterns is distorted by the aggregation of distinct subgroups.ObjectivesThe purpose of the study was to examine heart disease and stroke mortality rates in Asian-American subgroups to determine racial/ethnic differences in cardiovascular disease mortality within the United States.MethodsWe examined heart disease and stroke mortality rates for the 6 largest Asian-American subgroups (Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese) from 2003 to 2010. U.S. death records were used to identify race/ethnicity and cause of death by International Classification of Diseases-10th revision coding. Using both U.S. Census data and death record data, standardized mortality ratios (SMRs), relative SMRs (rSMRs), and proportional mortality ratios were calculated for each sex and ethnic group relative to non-Hispanic whites (NHWs).ResultsIn this study, 10,442,034 death records were examined. Whereas NHW men and women had the highest overall mortality rates, Asian Indian men and women and Filipino men had greater proportionate mortality burden from ischemic heart disease. The proportionate mortality burden of hypertensive heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, especially hemorrhagic stroke, was higher in every Asian-American subgroup compared with NHWs.ConclusionsThe heterogeneity in cardiovascular disease mortality patterns among diverse Asian-American subgroups calls attention to the need for more research to help direct more specific treatment and prevention efforts, in particular with hypertension and stroke, to reduce health disparities for this growing population.
Project description:BackgroundThere is a paucity of specific data on early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among Asian Americans (AAs). The objective of this study was to examine the independent association of Asian race/ethnicity and socio-demographic and co-morbidity factors with markers of early kidney damage, ascertained by ACR levels, as well as kidney dysfunction, ascertained by eGFR levels in a large cross-sectional sample of AAs enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).MethodsSecondary data analyses of the NHANES 2011-2014 data of a nationally representative sample of 5907 participants 18?years and older, US citizens, and of Asian and White race. NHANES data included race (Asian vs. White), as well as other socio-demographic information and comorbidities. Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) categories and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were used as indicators for CKD. Descriptive analyses using frequencies, means (standard deviations), and chi-square tests was first conducted, then multivariable logistic regression serial adjustment models were used to examine the associations between race/ethnicity, other socio-demographic factors (age, sex, education), and co-morbidities (obesity, diabetes, hypertension) with elevated ACR levels (A2 & A3 - CKD Stages 3 and 4-5, respectively) as well as reduced eGFR (G3a-G5 and G3b -G5 - CKD Stage 3-5).ResultsAAs were more likely than White participants to have ACR levels >?300?mg/g (A3) (adjusted OR (aOR) (95% CI) 2.77 (1.55, 4.97), p?=?0.001). In contrast, adjusted analyses demonstrated that AAs were less likely to have eGFR levels <?60?ml/min/1.73?m2 (G3a-G5) (aOR (95% CI) 0.50 (0.35, 0.72), p?<?.001).ConclusionsThis is one of the first large U.S. population-based studies of AAs that has shown a comparatively higher risk of elevated ACR?>?300?mg/g levels (A3) but lower risk of having eGFR levels <?60?ml/min/1.732?m2 (G3a-G5). The findings support the need to address the gaps in knowledge regarding disparities in risk of early stage CKD among AAs.
Project description:In the United States, public health insurance is available for nearly all persons with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Little is known about the extent of health insurance coverage for persons with non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD).To describe patterns of health insurance coverage for adults with non-dialysis dependent CKD and to examine risk factors for progression of CKD to ESRD and management of hypertension among those lacking insurance.Cross-sectional analysis of data from a nationally representative sample of 16,148 US adults aged 20 years or older who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2006.National prevalence estimates of health insurance coverage, ESRD risk factors, and treatment of hypertension.An estimated 10.0% (95% CI, 8.3%-12.0%) of US adults with non-dialysis dependent CKD were uninsured, 60.9% (95% CI, 58.2%-63.7%) had private insurance and 28.7% (95% CI, 26.4%-31.1%) had public insurance alone. Uninsured persons with non-dialysis dependent CKD were more likely to be under the age of 50 (62.8% vs. 23.0%, P < 0.001) and nonwhite (58.7%, vs. 21.8%, P < 0.001) compared with their insured counterparts. Approximately two-thirds of uninsured adults with non-dialysis dependent CKD had at least one modifiable risk factor for CKD progression, including 57% with hypertension, 40% who were obese, 22% with diabetes, and 13% with overt albuminuria. In adjusted analyses, uninsured persons with non-dialysis dependent CKD were less likely to be treated for their hypertension (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.40-0.85) and less likely to be receiving recommended therapy with angiotensin inhibitors (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.26-0.77) compared with those with insurance coverage.Uninsured persons with non-dialysis dependent CKD are at higher risk for progression to ESRD than their insured counterparts but are less likely to receive recommended interventions to slow disease progression. Lack of public health insurance for patients with non-dialysis dependent CKD may result in missed opportunities to slow disease progression and thereby reduce the public burden of ESRD.
Project description:BackgroundThe Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) aging population is rapidly growing and the burden of Alzheimer's disease and its related dementias (ADRD) will likely mirror this demographic growth. AANHPIs face significant barriers in obtaining timely ADRD diagnosis and services; yet little is known about ADRD in this population.ObjectiveThe study objective is to conduct a systematic review on the published literature on ADRD among AANHPIs to identify gaps and priorities to inform future research and action plans.MethodsThe systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA Protocol for Systematic Reviews. Co-author (TR), an experienced Medical Librarian, searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central of Clinical Trials, Ageline, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed articles describing ADRD among AANHPIs. The search was not limited by language or publication date. Each citation was reviewed by two trained independent reviewers. Conflicts were resolved through consensus.ResultsThe title/abstract and full texts of 1,447 unique articles were screened for inclusion, yielding 168 articles for analysis. Major research topics included prevalence, risk factors, comorbidities, interventions and outreach, knowledge and attitudes, caregiving, and detection tools. A limited number of studies reported on national data, on NHPI communities generally, and on efficacy of interventions targeting AANHPI communities.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first systematic review on ADRD among AANHPI populations. Our review provides a first step in mapping the extant literature on ADRD among this underserved and under-researched population and will serve as a guide for future research, policy, and intervention.
Project description:African Americans (AAs) are at higher risk for developing end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) compared to European Americans. Genome-wide association studies have identified variants associated with diabetic and non-diabetic kidney diseases. Nephropathy loci, including SLC7A9, UMOD, and SHROOM3, have been implicated in the maintenance of normal glomerular and renal tubular structure and function. Herein, 47 genes important in podocyte, glomerular basement membrane, mesangial cell, mesangial matrix, renal tubular cell, and renal interstitium structure were examined for association with type 2 diabetes (T2D)-attributed ESKD in AAs. Single-variant association analysis was performed in the discovery stage, including 2041 T2D-ESKD cases and 1140 controls (non-diabetic, non-nephropathy). Discrimination analyses in 667 T2D cases-lacking nephropathy excluded T2D-associated SNPs. Nominal associations were tested in an additional 483 T2D-ESKD cases and 554 controls in the replication stage. Meta-analysis of 4218 discovery and replication samples revealed three significant associations with T2D-ESKD at CD2AP and MMP2 (P corr < 0.05 corrected for effective number of SNPs in each locus). Removal of APOL1 renal-risk genotype carriers revealed additional association at five loci, TTC21B, COL4A3, NPHP3-ACAD11, CLDN8, and ARHGAP24 (P corr < 0.05). Genetic variants at COL4A3, CLDN8, and ARHGAP24 were potentially pathogenic. Gene-based associations revealed suggestive significant aggregate effects of coding variants at four genes. Our findings suggest that genetic variation in kidney structure-related genes may contribute to T2D-attributed ESKD in the AA population.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Coronary artery calcium (CAC) has been shown in multiple populations to predict atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, its predictive value in Asian-Americans is poorly described. PATIENTS AND METHODS:We studied 1621 asymptomatic Asian-Americans in the CAC Consortium, a large multicenter retrospective cohort. CAC was modeled in categorical (CAC = 0; CAC = 1-99; CAC = 100-399; CAC ? 400) and continuous [ln (CAC + 1)] forms. Participants were followed over a mean follow-up of 12 ± 4 years for coronary heart disease (CHD) death, cardiovascular disease (CVD) death, and all-cause mortality. The predictive value of CAC for individual outcomes was assessed using multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors and reported as hazard ratios (95% confidence interval). RESULTS:The mean (SD) age of the population was 54 (11.2) years and 64% were men. The mean 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score was 8%. Approximately half had a CAC score of 0, whereas 22.5% had a CAC score of greater than 100. A total of 56 deaths (16 CVD and 8 CHD) were recorded, with no CVD or CHD deaths in the CAC = 0 group. We noted a significantly increased risk of CHD [hazard ratio (HR): 2.6 (1.5-4.3)] and CVD [HR: 2.3 (1.8-2.9)] mortality per unit increase in In (CAC + 1). Compared to those with CAC scores of 0, individuals with CAC scores of at least 400 had over a three-fold increased risk of all-cause mortality [HR: 3.3 (1.3-8.6)]. CONCLUSION:Although Asian-Americans are a relatively low-risk group, CAC strongly predicts CHD, CVD, and all-cause mortality beyond traditional risk factors. These findings may help address existing knowledge gaps in CVD risk prediction in Asian-Americans.
Project description:Recent research has shown a widening gap in life expectancy at age 50 between the United States and Europe as well as large differences in the prevalence of diseases at older ages. Little is known about the processes determining international differences in the prevalence of chronic diseases. Higher prevalence of disease could result from either higher incidence or longer disease-specific survival. This article uses comparable longitudinal data from 2004 and 2006 for populations aged 50 to 79 from the United States and from a selected group of European countries to examine age-specific differences in prevalence and incidence of heart disease, stroke, lung disease, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer as well as mortality associated with each disease. Not surprisingly, we find that Americans have higher disease prevalence. For heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, incidence is lower in Europe when we control for sociodemographic and health behavior differences in risk, and these differences explain much of the prevalence gap at older ages. On the other hand, incidence is higher in Europe for lung disease and not different between Europe and the United States for hypertension and stroke. Our findings do not suggest a survival advantage conditional on disease in Europe compared with the United States. Therefore, the origin of the higher disease prevalence at older ages in the United States is to be found in higher prevalence earlier in the life course and, for some conditions, higher incidence between ages 50 and 79.
Project description:ObjectiveThe study objective was to examine the associations among visceral fat (VF), all-cause mortality, and obesity-related mortality.Research design and methodsA total of 733 Japanese Americans were followed for 16.9 years. Hazard ratios (HRs) per interquartile range increase in VF were calculated using time-dependent Cox proportional hazard models censored at age 82 years, with age as the time axis adjusted for sex and smoking.ResultsHigher VF was associated with all-cause mortality (HR 1.39 [95% CI 1.11-1.75] 107 deaths) and obesity-related mortality (1.39 [1.04-1.85], 68 deaths from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or obesity-related cancer). After further adjustment for waist circumference, VF remained significantly associated with all-cause mortality (1.41 [1.04-1.92]) but not with obesity-related mortality. The associations between mortality and VF were not independent of BMI.ConclusionsVF was associated with all-cause mortality and obesity-related mortality in Japanese Americans. VF did not significantly improve mortality risk assessment beyond that of BMI.
Project description:BackgroundIn the US, over 1 million Asian Americans are estimated to be living with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Research has shown low awareness of CHB and different attitudes towards its treatment among the diverse ethnicities of Asian Americans.ObjectiveThis study aimed to understand the perceptions and attitudes of CHB treatment among Asian Americans diagnosed with CHB who were either treatment-naïve or being treated for CHB with oral antivirals, and to understand the relative importance of different clinical and economic attributes of oral antivirals that affect CHB treatment decisions and choices.DesignFace-to-face structured survey administered to participants at central research facilities by interviewers of each participating ethnicity.ParticipantsCHB patients from Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese communities of New York metropolitan, San Francisco/Bay, and Los Angeles/Orange County areas.Main measuresA 'conjoint' exercise (discrete choice model) assessed the relative impact of treatment attributes on treatment choice. Implicit "trade-off" decisions made by respondents were estimated using a hierarchical Bayesian model.Key resultsAmong 252 participants, 36 % were Chinese, 34 % Vietnamese, and 31 % Korean; 56 % were treatment-naïve and 44 % were being treated with an oral antiviral for CHB. The majority (88 %) believed that, if left untreated, CHB can lead to serious liver damage; 72 % believed there are effective prescription medications to treat CHB; and 39 % showed reluctance to be on long-term therapy for CHB because of concerns over side effects. Long-term risk of kidney damage was given the highest relative importance (38 %) when choosing CHB treatment, followed by medication cost (23.4 %), long-term risk of bone thinning (18 %), long-term efficacy (9 %), time on US market (6.8 %), and number of patients treated globally (4.9 %). Results were consistent across ethnicities.ConclusionsPatients need access to improved education regarding CHB disease progression, its management, disease outcomes, and the importance of long-term treatment of the disease.