LGTBIQ+ individuals are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases
The IRIS Project, led by IDIAPJGol, aims to compare the influence of lifestyle and risk factors on the development of these conditions between the general population and the LGTBIQ+ community+
LGTBIQ+ individuals tend to visit healthcare providers less often because many have felt uncomfortable or discriminated against. The impact this can have on health remains uncertain and could be particularly relevant in the management of chronic illnesses. Studies conducted in North America show that adherence to treatment with statins (medications used to control cholesterol levels) is almost half as common among the LGTBIQ+ population as in the general population. This is related to the fact that people from this community are less likely to attend primary care consultations than the rest of the population. This could worsen risk factor management and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Based on these studies, the team led by researcher Anna Ponjoan from the Vascular Health Research Group at the Girona Primary Care Research Support Unit of the Jordi Gol Primary Care Research Institute (IDIAPJGol), has launched the IRIS Project, the first study aimed at addressing cardiovascular health in LGTBIQ+ individuals in our country. The researcher warns that “there is a gap in knowledge about cardiovascular health in this community, which can have very serious consequences.” Ponjoan adds, “We now have the research tools to change this situation and provide quality care to everyone at the primary care level.”
Brief Survey
The goal of the IRIS Project is to compare the prevalence and incidence of lifestyle, risk factors, and cardiovascular diseases between the general population and the LGTBIQ+ population. It also seeks to compare medication use and healthcare resource utilization between the two populations. To achieve this, the study will use the database of the Information System for the Development of Research in Primary Care (SIDIAP). The study invites participants to complete a brief survey with questions about gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as their perception of discrimination in primary care consultations. “If you feel uncomfortable or discriminated against during a consultation, you visit less often, and it has been proven that this clearly worsens health,” says Daniel Sánchez, a primary care physician and study collaborator.
LGTBIQ+ Perspective
A fundamental pillar of the IRIS Project is the LGTBIQ+ perspective, highlighted through the involvement of community members in various phases of the project. Participant recruitment is one phase where community involvement is crucial. Recruitment is conducted via a chain method, where each participant can invite three acquaintances to join the study. Once all survey questions are answered, three links are automatically generated, which can be shared via WhatsApp, Telegram, or email. Each link is a personalized invitation allowing one person to answer the survey only once. The research team is traveling across the region, engaging in discussions, meetings, and gatherings with LGTBIQ+ organizations to promote participation and build long recruitment chains.
Positive Reception
“The people who start a chain are very different from the last to join; this sampling method allows us to reach the full diversity within the LGTBIQ+ community,” explains Dr. Ponjoan, adding, “We need community participation, and so far, the reception of the project has been very positive in every town and city we visit.” People and organizations interested in learning more about IRIS can follow the project on Instagram and get in touch to organize a meeting.
The ultimate goal of this initiative is to generate scientific knowledge about cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors to develop healthcare strategies and protocols that include everyone.
