Abstract 14223: Lifetime Smoking Behaviors, Frequency of Worship and Systolic Blood Pressure in the Metabolic Syndrome Outcome (MetSO) Cohort Study

Introduction: Research has shown faith-based intervention can influence a net reduction of 5.8 millimeters of mercury in systolic blood pressure 1 . This study examined the relationships between lifetime smoking behaviors and systolic blood pressure (BP) in a diverse sample of Blacks residing in New York City and whether this relationship is moderated by frequency of visit to place of worship. Method: The present study utilized data from the MetSO study, an NIH-funded cohort study of blacks with metabolic syndrome (MetS). A total of 1035 were screened for MetS in the MetSO registry. The average age of the sample was 62±14 years (range: 20-97); 71% were female, and all were of the black race/ethnicity. Seventy-one percent reported finishing high school, and 43% reported annual income <10K. Patients were diagnosed with MetS using standard criteria articulated in the joint interim statement for harmonizing the MetS. Data was gathered on demographics, health behaviors and religious practices. Participants were asked about their smoking habits and alcohol consumption, as well as their religious practices. Correlation matrix and multilinear regression analysis were conducted to explore associations between smoking behaviors and blood pressure level. Interaction effects between smoking behaviors and potential moderators (frequency of visits to place of worship) were conducted to examine which category was at greater risk of higher systolic blood pressure. Results: Surprisingly, lifetime smoking habits were positively correlated with frequency of visit to place of worship (r =.41; p=.000) and emerged as the strongest independent predictor of systolic BP [β =.084(SE=1.068); p< 0.001], after adjustment for age, employment and daily alcohol consumption. The association between lifetime smoking habits and systolic BP was moderated by the frequency of visits to place of worship [B(SE)=.098 (.150); p< 0.001]. Conclusions: Results of our study suggest that frequency of visit to place of worship is linked with lifetime smoking habits, which may have significant impact on systolic blood pressure among diverse older Blacks.