Sexual Assault and Carotid Plaque Among Midlife Women.

ABSTRACT: Background Sexual assault is a risk factor for poor mental health, yet its relationship to cardiovascular disease risk is not understood. We tested whether women with a sexual assault history had greater carotid atherosclerosis levels and progression over midlife. Methods and Results A total of 169 non-smoking, cardiovascular disease-free women aged 40 to 60 years were assessed twice over 5 years. At each point, women completed questionnaires, physical measures, phlebotomy, and carotid ultrasounds. Associations between sexual assault and carotid plaque level (score 0, 1, ≥2) and progression (score change) were assessed in multinomial logistic and linear regression models, adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, education, body mass index, blood pressure, lipids, insulin resistance, and additiona

SUBMITTER: Thurston RC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8174296 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature