Abstract
Background: Hormones are linked to cardiometabolic diseases and may be impacted by acculturation though multiple mechanisms. We evaluated associations of Hispanic/Latino background and acculturation with levels of sex- and thyroid-related hormones and the potential mediating effect of adiposity, lifestyle factors, and sleep apnea syndrome on these associations. Methods: We studied 1789 adults, aged 45–74, from a sub-cohort of the Hispanic Community Health Survey/Study of Latinos. Peri/pre-menopausal women and individuals on medications related to hormones were excluded. Our study assessed eleven sex- and thyroid-related hormones, Hispanic/Latino background, and five acculturation measures. Associations were assessed using multivariable linear and logistic regression adjusted for survey design and confounding variables. We explored potential mediation using a path analysis. Results: In postmenopausal women, acculturation score-MESA was associated with decreased thyroid-stimulating hormone (β = − 0.13;95%CI = − 0.22, − 0.03) while age at immigration greater than the median (vs US-born) was associated with decreased (β = − 14.6; 95%CI = − 28.2, − 0.99) triiodothyronine (T3). In men, language acculturation and acculturation score-MESA were associated with increased estradiol and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) while age at immigration greater and lesser than the median (vs US-born) was associated with decreased SHBG. Hispanic/Latino background (Mexicans as reference) were selectively associated with sex- and thyroid-related hormone levels in both sexes. Current smoking and sleep apnea syndrome partially mediated the association of Cuban and Puerto Rican heritage (vs Mexican) with T3 levels in men and postmenopausal women, respectively. Conclusion: Selected acculturation measures were associated with thyroid-related hormones in postmenopausal women and sex-related hormones in men. Understanding the mechanisms involved in the relationship of acculturation and Hispanic/Latino background with hormones warrants additional investigation.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities |
| DOIs | |
| State | Accepted/In press - 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by grant no. R01ES025159 with the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) which was carried out as a collaborative study supported by contracts from National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to the University of North Carolina (HHSN268201300001l/N01-HC65233), University of Miami (HHSN268201300004l/N01-HC65234), Albert Einstein College of Medicine (HHSN268201300002l/N01-HC65235), University of Illinois Chicago and Northwestern University (HHSN268201300003l/NO1-HC-65236/NO1-HC-65236) and San Diego State University (HHSN268201300005l/N01-HC65237). The following Institutes/Center/Offices contribute to the HCHS/SOL through a transfer of funds to the NHLBI: National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communications Disorders, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the Office of Dietary Supplements. V.P., M.E.T., and R.M.S were also supported by the NIEHS P30 Chicago Center for Health and Environment (CACHET) (P30ES027792). K. T. received trainee support from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health fellowship under grant number T42OH008672. C. R. I. was supported by the New York Regional Center for Diabetes Translation Research (2P30 DK111022) through funds from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, W. Montague Cobb-NMA Health Institute.
Keywords
- Acculturation
- Hispanic/Latino
- Mediation
- Sex hormones
- Structural equation model
- Thyroid hormones
