Identifying associations between social network index, its components, and the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in Polish adults. Results of the cross-sectional WOBASZ II study

Abstract

Background: Psychosocial risk factors are important determinants of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs): people involved in positive relationships live longer than those with low social support (SS).
Aims: The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between SS, components of the social network, and CVDs.
Methods: A cross-sectional population-based survey WOBASZ II conducted in 2013–2014 covered a sample of 6043 individuals, aged 20+, who completed the Berkman and Syme questionnaire to assess SS using social network index (SNI).
Results: Higher percentage of low SS was observed in women (52.15%) compared to men (45.4%) (P <0.001). People with low SNI had a worse CVD risk factor profile. None of the social contacts analyzed (with children, relatives, or friends), regardless of how satisfactory they were, was associated with CVDs in men. In women, satisfying contacts with children or relatives appeared to be associated with better cardiovascular health. Furthermore, active participation in organized social activity increased the chance of arrhythmia in both sexes: 1.50 (1.04–2.15); P = 0.029 in men; 1.47 (1.11–1.95); P = 0.007 in women.
Although low SNI was associated with analyzed CVDs in the univariate analysis, it was not confirmed in the fully adjusted model.
Conclusions: More women than men had low SS. People with low SS had a worse CVD risk factor profile. There was a significant independent relationship between different components of SNI such as social contacts and CVDs in women, and active participation in organized social activity and arrhythmia in both sexes.