Comparing Stroke Risk Factors Among Sexual Minority Groups in Texas.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge gaps remain on stroke risk and disparities between sexual minority (SM) subgroups. In this study, stroke risk between SM subgroups, specifically gay/bisexual men and lesbian/bisexual women (G/BM and L/BW), was assessed. METHOD: Data were collected in June 2022 using a bilingual (English and Spanish) cross-sectional paper-and-pen survey distributed among 183 SM individuals attending the 2022 Houston Pride Parade and Festival, as well as across Texas via phone call or online format. Relevant sociodemographic and stroke risk factors were compared between G/BM and L/BW using chi-square (or Fisher's exact, when appropriate) and two-sample t-tests. Sexual orientation was used to predict stroke risk using multiple binomial logistic regression, adjusting for other sociodemographic determinants. RESULTS: While comparing the stroke risk factors between G/BW and L/BW, statistically significant differences were found in hypertension (p = 0.047), age (p < 0.001), smoking status (p = 0.043), cholesterol level (p < 0.001), and HIV (p = 0.038). G/BM were 2.79 times more likely to have a higher stroke risk compared to L/BW (aOR = 2.79; CI, 1.11-6.05, p = 0.032), after adjusting for other sociodemographic factors. CONCLUSION: This pilot study, conducted in Texas, adds to the existing scientific literature on stroke risk among the SM population and revealed that G/BM might have a higher stroke risk compared to L/BW. These findings can inform future research and intervention designs tailored to G/BM and L/BW communities and improve their overall health.

Interdependence of physical and psychological morbidity among patients with cancer and family caregivers: Review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Caregivers for patients with cancer have an integral role in maintaining patients' health. Although patients and caregivers experience the impact of cancer individually, studies suggest their health is interdependent. The objective of this review was to synthesize the literature on interdependent physical and psychological morbidity in patient-caregiver dyads published since 2016. METHODS: A search of PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycInfo databases was performed using Cooper's recommendations and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews And Meta-Analyses Guidelines. Studies were included if they measured individual physical or psychological morbidity in cancer patient-caregiver dyads, evaluated interdependence, and were published in a peer-reviewed journal. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies met criteria, characterized by mainly spousal dyads. Studies included a variety of cancers and methodologies. Findings were inconsistent, indicating varying interdependence. However, the studies demonstrated a stronger relationship between patients' and caregivers' psychological morbidity than between their physical morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: This review revealed a need for continued exploration of dyadic health interdependence. Future studies should consider samples of patients with a single type of cancer, testing cultural mediators/moderators, and using longitudinal designs.