Parental Death during Childhood and Adult Cardiovascular Risk in a Developing Country
Author Information
Author(s): Schooling C. Mary, Jiang ChaoQiang, Lam Tai Hing, Zhang WeiSen, Cheng Kar Keung, Leung Gabriel M.
Primary Institution: The University of Hong Kong
Hypothesis
Is there an association between early life parental death and cardiovascular disease risk factors in a developing country?
Conclusion
Childhood emotional adversity from parental death is negatively associated with some cardiovascular risk factors, especially in men.
Supporting Evidence
- Early life parental death was associated with lower body mass index.
- Men showed lower waist-hip ratio and white blood cell count associated with early life parental death.
- Childhood emotional adversity may have different impacts on cardiovascular risk factors in non-western populations.
Takeaway
If a child's parent dies, it might affect their heart health when they grow up, but in unexpected ways, especially for boys.
Methodology
Multivariable regression analysis of cardiovascular risk factors in older adults based on parental death before adulthood.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the use of a single measure of emotional adversity (parental death).
Limitations
Survivorship bias may exist, and the study may not be fully representative of the population.
Participant Demographics
Participants were older adults (≥50 years) from Guangzhou, China, with a majority being women.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.01
Confidence Interval
−0.62 to −0.19 for BMI; −0.008 to −0.001 for WHR; −0.35 to −0.13 for WBC.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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