Learning Objective #1: Recognize relevant data in cardiovascular rsk estimates in African American adults with diabetes and incorporate in clinical practice

Learning Objective #2: Discuss the significance of relationships among psychological symptoms and perceived social support in middle-aged and older African American adults

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Despite the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in middle age and older African American adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D), limited research has explored associations among anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, perceived social support and CVD risk in these persons. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of anxiety and depressive characteristics, and perceived social support on CVD risk characteristics of African American middle to older adults with T2D. Using face-to-face interviews conducted by the primary investigator and trained research assistants, this cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational study examined a convenience sample of 57 women (n=45) and men (n=12) aged from 35 to 73 years (M = 54.96 ± 11.44 years) and enrolled in three community-based primary care centers in the southeastern US. Five instruments were used to assess study variables: 1) State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (state and trait anxiety); 2) Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (depressive symptoms); 3) Medical Outcomes Survey Social Support Questionnaire (perceived social support); 4) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Framingham Coronary Heart Disease Risk Prediction Score (CVD risk); and 5) Personal, Health and Sociodemographic Questionnaire (sociodemographic and health information). Findings indicated the absence of associations between CVD risk and other study variables. Relationships were, however, noted among depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and perceived social support, suggesting that individuals with low prevalence of depressive symptoms tended to have low levels of anxiety and high levels of perceived social support. Multiple linear regression analyses yielded a 10% variance that was not statistically significant, suggesting that other variables are better determinants of CVD risk than the predictor variables. Alarmingly CVD risk profiles indicated greater than a 20% probability of experiencing a CVD event within 2 to 10 years. Findings warrant aggressive follow-up and intervention to improve health outcomes of middle to older adult African Americans with T2D.