Differences in Cardiometabolic Comorbidities Between Black and White Persons Living With Multiple Sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine differences in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension in Black patients compared with White patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). DESIGN: Cross-sectional database review. SETTING: Large academic medical center research records database. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3191 patient cases (N=3191; 77% female, 34% Black) identified by MS diagnosis within the medical record. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diagnosis codes for type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Body mass index (BMI), race, age, and sex were collected. Analysis of variance (continuous variables) and chi-square analyses (categorical variables) were conducted to determine differences in obesity, diabetes, and hypertension between race and sex. Logistic regression was conducted to determine odds ratios (ORs) of developing diabetes and hypertension based on race, sex, BMI, and age. RESULTS: Black patients were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed as having diabetes (OR, 2.15 [95% CI, 1.70-2.72]; P<.0001) or hypertension (OR, 2.44 [95% CI, 2.05-2.91], P<.0001) compared with White patients. Sex did not present a greater likelihood of being diagnosed as having diabetes; however, men were 1.22 times more likely be diagnosed as having hypertension compared with women (95% CI, 1.01-1.49; P=.0439). Increased age and BMI were also significantly associated with likelihood of diagnosis of diabetes and hypertension (age: diabetes OR, 1.05 [95% CI, 1.04-1.06], P<.0001; hypertension OR, 1.06 [95% CI, 1.05-1.06], P<.0001; BMI: diabetes obese vs normal: OR, 2.11 [95% CI, 1.43-3.11], P=.0002; hypertension: obese vs normal: OR, 1.72 [95% CI, 1.39-2.13], P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Black patients with MS are significantly more likely to have cardiometabolic conditions than White patients. These conditions have been associated with poorer health outcomes for people with MS and may have some effect on the differences in MS disease course reported in Black patients.

Exploration of how emotional social support predicts food insecurity among college students.

Food insecurity has broad detrimental impacts on college students, including failing grades, depression, and social disconnection. Social disconnection is concerning as students often use various support resources to manage food insecurity. Racial disparities in food insecurity are well documented in the literature. The purpose of the current study was to explore the relationship between constructs of emotional support and food insecurity among African American and White students. A validated electronic survey based on the Sense of Support Scale and the U.S. Food Security Scale was utilized for the study. Results indicated that specific constructs of emotional social support were associated with food insecurity (OR: 3.778; p = .011); (OR: -2.116; p = .036). Students who reported strong emotional ties were more likely to experience food insecurity (OR = - 3.837, p = .044). Findings implicate further campus outreach to all students.