Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome Stages via Intersectionality in the All of Us Program

TL;DR

This study explores how race, sex, and neighborhood deprivation intersect to affect the risk of advanced cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome in a large U.S. population.

Contribution

The study introduces an intersectional analysis of CKM syndrome stages, revealing disparities influenced by race, sex, and contextual deprivation.

Findings

Black, Hispanic, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander participants had higher odds of advanced CKM stages compared to White participants.

Males and individuals in deprived areas faced increased risk of advanced CKM syndrome.

Intersectional analysis showed Black or Pacific Islander males in deprived contexts had the highest risk, while Asian or Middle Eastern females in less deprived areas had lower risk.

Abstract

Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, a newly defined, multistage disorder by the AHA, integrates cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic dysfunction. While disparities in CKM stages across race/ethnicity, and sex are known, an intersectional lens is essential to uncover how these factors, combined with contextual deprivation, influence disease risk. This cross-sectional study analyzed differences in CKM stages among 126,892 adults aged 18-79 from the All of Us Research Program. Exposures included race/ethnicity (White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern and North African, Other), sex, and contextual deprivation, measured via the Neighborhood Deprivation Index. CKM stages (0-4) were assessed using electronic health records, laboratory tests, and physical measurements, with stages 3-4 indicating advanced disease. Overall, 23.5% of participants had advanced CKM syndrome, specifically: stage 0 (10.0%), stage 1 (20.8%), stage 2 (45.7%), stage 3 (9.5%), and stage 4 (14.0%). Adjusted analyses revealed higher odds of advanced stages among Black (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.90-2.03), Hispanic (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.66-1.79), Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.55-2.75), and Other race/ethnicity participants (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.31-1.49) compared to White participants, while Asian and Middle Eastern or North African groups showed similar odds. Males (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.55-1.62) and individuals in more deprived areas (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.11-1.18) also faced elevated risk. Intersectional findings highlighted Black or Pacific Islander males in deprived contexts with the highest risk, contrasting with lower risk among Asian or Middle Eastern females in less deprived settings. These disparities emphasize the need for targeted, equity-focused interventions.