The influence of social support on risk of acute cardiovascular diseases in female population aged 25–64 in Russia

Abstract

ObjectiveTo study the prevalence of social support (SS) and its influence on the relative risk (RR) of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke in the female population aged 25–64 in Russia.Materials and methodsUnder the third screening of the WHO “MONICA-psychosocial” programme, a random representative sample of women aged 25–64 (n=870) were surveyed in Novosibirsk. SS was measured according to the methods of the Berkman–Sym test [indices of close contacts (ICC) and index of social network (SNI)]. From 1995 to 2010, women were followed for 16 years to observe the incidence of MI and stroke.ResultsThe prevalence of low levels of ICC and SNI in women aged 25–64 was 57.1 and 77.7%, respectively. Low levels of ICC and SNI were associated with poor self-rated health and awareness about their health, adverse behavioral habits, high job strain and family stress.Rates of MI and stroke development were higher in married women with low ICC and SNI who were being in class “hard manual work”. Over a 16-year study period, the RR of MI in women with low ICC compared to those with high ICC was 4.9 times higher, and the risk of stroke was 4.1 times higher. Low level of SNI increased MI risk in 2.9 times, risk of stroke in 2.7 times.ConclusionMajority of women aged 25–64 years in Russia have low social support which is associated with poor self-rated health, low awareness about the health that increases the risk of MI and stroke in 2.7–4.9 times in groups of “married” and “hard physical work”.

Perceived social support and psychosocial adjustment in patients with coronary heart disease

“…Lack of social support is known to worsen CHD's prognosis, increase morbidity and mortality rates, impair patients' quality of life, increase CHD development, and adversely affect psychosocial adjustment (Barth et al, 2010;Blikman, Jacobsen, Eide, & Meland, 2014;Compare et al, 2011;Compare et al, 2013;Croezen et al, 2010;Gafarov et al, 2013;Grewal et al, 2010;Lee et al, 2014;Lurie et al, 2015;Pryor et al, 2014;Stanuite et al, 2013;Türkmen & Çam, 2012;Wang et al, 2014). In 2010, Barth, Schneider, and von Kanel conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis and argued that perceived social support is apparently important to the prognosis of CHD.…”

“…Psychosocial maladjustment caused by insufficient social support leads to many physical problems, increased hospitalization, decreased selfcare and quality of life, poorer disease prognosis, increased prevalence, and morbidity and mortality rates. It leads to long-term development of frailty, especially in elderly patients diagnosed with myocardial infarction, and increases the risk posed by CHD in healthy individuals (Barth, Schneider, & von Kanel, 2010;Compare et al, 2011;Compare et al, 2013;Croezen et al, 2010;Gafarov, Panov, Gromova, Ggaulin, & Gafarova, 2013;Grewal, Stewart, & Grace, 2010;Ho, Bryson, & Rumsfeld, 2009;Lee, Choi, Chair, Yu, & Lau, 2014;Lurie, Myers, Goldbourt, & Gerber, 2015;Pryor, Page, Patsamanis, & Jolly, 2014;Stanuite, Brozaitiene, & Bunevicious, 2013;Türkmen & Çam, 2012;Wang, Lau, Chow, Thompson, & He, 2014). Extant research indicates that patients who have adequate social support adjust to lifestyle changes imposed by their illness more easily than patients who lack social support (Bramwell, 1990;Park, Howie-Esquivel, Whooley, & Dracup, 2015;Tawalbeh, Tubaishat, Batiha, Al-Azzam, & Albashtawy, 2015) and in a few studies social support was seen to develop the psychosocial adjustment to illness of patients, affecting positively their treatment and rehabilitation (Kristofferzon, Löfmark, & Carlsson, 2005;Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, & Farley, 1988).…”

One is the deadliest number: the detrimental effects of social isolation on cerebrovascular diseases and cognition

“…Low-grade chronic systemic inflammation, previously shown to be associated with SI, is an established risk factor for stroke incidence and mortality in humans [86, 114]. Specifically, neuroendocrine (HPA) axis dysregulation [25], chronic systemic inflammation [117], and maladaptive behavioral changes [37] contribute to this pro-inflammatory environment.…”

Social Integration and Reduced Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Women

“…In addition, social relationships were assessed only at study baseline in most studies, so it was not possible to account for possible changes in the relationships or their configuration over time. 17, 19 Moreover, fatal and nonfatal CHD are usually evaluated as a combined outcome; however, a prior study in men found that lower levels of social integration were primarily related to risk of fatal CHD but not to nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI). 22 Considering if associations of social integration differ with nonfatal MI versus fatal CHD in women may be valuable.…”