Association between perceived discrimination and pulse wave velocity: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Psychosocial Stressors
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Racial discrimination is a significant stressor linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) disparities, particularly in non-Hispanic Black adults.
• Non-Hispanic Black adults face higher perceived discrimination (PD) and CVD risk than non-Hispanic White adults.
• While PD's link to some CVD markers is known, its association with arterial stiffness remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and summarize existing literature on the relationship between perceived discrimination (PD) and arterial stiffness.

Main Methods:

• A systematic scoping review was conducted, searching major databases (PubMed, Embase, SPORTDiscus, CINALH+) from inception to July 2023.
• Included studies involved adults (≥18 years), measured arterial stiffness via pulse wave velocity (PWV), assessed PD, and used randomized controlled trial or observational designs.
• Four studies met the criteria: two cross-sectional, one longitudinal, and one randomized controlled trial, with diverse populations and assessment methods.

Main Results:

• The review identified a scarcity of research on PD and arterial stiffness (PWV).
• Included studies exhibited heterogeneity in PWV devices and PD assessment tools.
• Associations between PD and PWV varied significantly based on geographical region, sex, clinical status, and study design.

Conclusions:

• Research on the link between perceived discrimination and arterial stiffness is limited and inconsistent.
• The current evidence suggests an inconclusive association between PD and PWV due to methodological heterogeneity and scarcity of studies.