Risk factors for geriatric stroke: identification and follow-up

Systolic or diastolic hypertension, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, left ventricular hypertrophy, age, prior stroke, transient cerebral ischemic attack, extracranial arterial disease, and coronary heart disease are risk factors for the most common type of geriatric stroke, atherothrombotic brain infarction (ABI). Also, by contributing to hypertension and diabetes mellitus, obesity predisposes to ABI. The relationship of abnormal serum lipids and of physical inactivity to ABI is unclear. Antihypertensive treatment decreases the incidence of fatal and nonfatal stroke in patients with systolic and diastolic hypertension. Cessation of smoking also decreases risk.     

Prevalence and prediction of unrecognised diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance following acute stroke

BACKGROUND: diabetes mellitus not only increases the risk of ischaemic stroke two- to four-fold but also adversely inXuences prognosis. The prevalence of recognised diabetes mellitus in acute stroke patients is between 8 and 20%, but between 6 and 42% of patients may have undiagnosed diabetes mellitus before presentation. Post-stroke hyperglycaemia is frequent and of limited diagnostic value and the oral glucose tolerance test assumes that the patient is clinically stable and eating normally. There is a need for a simple and reliable method to predict new diabetes mellitus in acute stroke patients. OBJECTIVES: to determine the prevalence of unrecognised diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance on hospital admission and 12 weeks later in acute stroke patients with post-stroke hyperglycaemia > or = 6.1 mmol/l. To measure the accuracy of hyperglycaemia and elevated glycosylated haemoglobin concentration in predicting the presence of unrecognised diabetes mellitus at 12 weeks. DESIGN: acute (<24 hours) stroke patients (cerebral infarction and primary intracerebral haemorrhage) with admission hyperglycaemia between 6.0 and 17 mmol/l and without a previous history of insulin-treated diabetes mellitus who were randomised into the Glucose Insulin in Stroke Trial between October 1997 and May 1999 were studied. The Glucose Insulin in Stroke Trial is a randomised controlled trial investigating the benefits of maintaining euglycaemia in acute stroke patients with mild to moderate hyperglycaemia. At 12 weeks, survivors underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value of admission plasma glucose > or = 6.1 mmol/l and elevated glycosylated haemoglobin concentration in predicting the presence of diabetes mellitus were used to estimate the prevalence of unrecognised diabetes mellitus in a consecutive series of 582 acute stroke admissions. RESULTS: 582 consecutive acute stroke patients were assessed for eligibility for the Glucose Insulin Stroke Trial, of whom 83 (14%) had recognised diabetes mellitus. One hundred and forty-two patients were randomised and 62 underwent a 3-month oral glucose tolerance test, of whom 26 (42%) had normal glucose tolerance, 23 (37%) had impaired glucose tolerance and 13 (21%) had diabetes mellitus. Admission plasma glucose > or = 6.1 mmol/l and glycosylated haemoglobin > or = 6.2% predicted the presence of previously unrecognised diabetes mellitus at 12 weeks with a positive predictive value of 80% and negative predictive value of 96%. The estimated prevalence of unrecognised diabetes mellitus in the total series of acute stroke admissions was 16-24%. CONCLUSIONS: one-third of all acute stroke patients may have diabetes mellitus. For patients presenting with post-stroke hyperglycaemia, impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes mellitus is present in two-thirds of survivors at 12 weeks. Admission plasma glucose > or = 6.1 mmol/l combined with glycosylated haemoglobin > or = 6.2% are good predictors of the presence of diabetes mellitus following stroke.     

Predictors of Stroke in the Elderly

Abstract. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease and cigarette smoking have repeatedly been identified as risk factors for stroke in young and middle-aged individuals. In order to find predicting factors for stroke in the elderly we assessed health characteristics in 55 stroke victims in the age range 65–75 years (mean 70.7±2.7) allocated to our stroke unit at Östra University Hospital in Gothenburg. For comparison we used data from 2009 individuals participating in the ongoing longitudinal population study “70-year-old people in Gothenburg, Sweden”. Among the stroke victims we found a higher prevalence of hypertension (63.5% vs. 27.8%, p<0.001), diabetes mellitus (21.8% vs. 6.2%, p<0.001) and a history of previous myocardial infarction (12.7% vs. 4.8%, p<0.01), thus confirming previous findings. There was no difference with regard to smoking habits (32.7% vs. 27.5%, NS), which is at variance with findings in the young and middle-aged.     

Prevalence of risk factors in acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in elderly patients from eastern Sicily

Hundred and forty elderly patients (76 males and 64 females, over 65 years of age) were consecutively admitted to the Institute between November 1989 and April 1993, in order to (i) verify if the risk factors, reported in other Italian areas and regions of the world, are prevalent also in our region, and (ii) outline a secondary prevention strategy against the statistically most important risk factors. There were 111 cases of ischemic stroke (58 males and 53 females) and 29 cases of reversible ischemic attack (RIA) (18 males and 11 females). The percental occurrence of the following risk factors were determined: total cholesterol > 240 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol < 35 mg/dl, triglycerides > 180 mg/dl, fibrinogen > 450 mg/dl, hematocrit > 45%, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, familial ischemic events, previous ischemic CVD, ischemic cardiac disease, embolic cardiopathy. In males with ischemic stroke the most frequent risk factors were: hypertension (43%), fibrinogen > 450 mg/dl (37.9%), diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking and previous ischemic CVD (25.8%). In females with ischemic stroke a clear prevalence of hypertension (69.8%), ischemic cardiopathy and previous ischemic CVD (47%) and diabetes mellitus (41.5%) were observed. In males with RIA hypertension (50%) and cigarette smoking (38%). Females with RIA presented a high prevalence of reduced HDL cholesterol, lower than 35 mg/dl (77.7%), hypertension (63.6%) and ischemic cardiopathy (54.5%). The results indicate that there are no highly significant differences between the data reported by other authors on the most important acute ischemic CVD risk factors in Italy and elsewhere. Arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus are the most important risk factors of cerebral ischemic events in both sexes. The diffusion of cigarette smoking among women in the last thirty years must be taken into consideration. Although it does not represent a risk factor for elderly women today, it may do in the future. Therefore, antismoking campaigns must be more decisive and targeted at both sexes.     

Acute stroke outcome: effects of stroke type and risk factors

We studied 925 consecutive patients hospitalised with acute stroke to determine how stroke type, age, gender and risk factors influence acute, in-hospital outcome. Stroke types included carotid territory cortical or large subcortical infarction (52%), vertebrobasilar infarction (12%), lacunar infarction (11%), intracerebral haemorrhage (16%), and subarachnoid haemorrhage (9%). Mean age (mean ± 1 SD) was 66 ± 15 years, but patients with cerebral infarction were older than those with cerebral haemorrhage. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cardiac disease increased with age across all stroke types, while the prevalence of smoking decreased with age. Mortality was 19% overall, but varied significantly between stroke types, highest in intracerebral haemorrhage (34%), and lowest in lacunar infarction (1%). Age had a marked adverse effect on mortality, independent of stroke type, the probability of death increasing by 3 ± 0.5% per year from 20–92 years, whereas gender had no effect. Cardiac disease and diabetes were independent adverse prognostic factors (Odds Ratios 1.6 and 1.5 respectively). Cerebral haemorrhage, age, cardiac disease and diabetes all independently worsen acute stroke outcome. (Aust NZ J Med 1992; 22: 30–35.)     

老年脑梗死患者牛津郡社区脑卒中项目分型与危险因素的关系

目的探讨老年脑梗死患者牛津郡社区脑卒中项目(Oxfordshire community stroke project,OCSP)分型与危险因素的关系。方法将来源于南京脑卒中注册项目的478例患者分为完全前循环梗死组(TACI组,79例)、部分前循环梗死组(PACI组,125例)、后循环梗死组(POCI组,111例)和腔隙性脑梗死组(LACI组,163例),分析各危险因素在OCSP亚型中的分布。结果在4组患者中,高血压、高TC血症、吸烟、饮酒、颈动脉狭窄和短暂性脑缺血发作的发生率差异无显著性意义(P>0.05);TACI组发生心房颤动的比例高于LACI组和POCI组(P<0.01),并高于PACI组(P<0.05);LACI组的糖尿病发生率高于其他3组(P<0.05)。高血压合并糖尿病、高血压合并心房颤动、糖尿病合并心房颤动的患者在OCSP亚型间差异无显著性意义(P>0.05)。结论心房颤动与前循环梗死密切相关,糖尿病更多见于LACI。     

Diabetes mellitus in older African-Americans, Hispanics, and whites in an academic hospital-based geriatrics practice.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for target-organ damage/clinical cardiovascular disease in older persons. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis was performed of charts from all older persons (506 men and 1497 women, mean age 80 +/- 8 years) seen during the period from 1 January 1998 to October 1998 at an academic hospital-based geriatrics practice, to investigate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, and the prevalence, in patients with diabetes, of target-organ damage/clinical cardiovascular disease, hypertension, hypertension or dyslipidaemia, obesity, the drugs used to treat diabetes, and poor glycaemic control. RESULTS: Diabetes mellitus occurred in 127 of 1150 whites (11%), in 93 of 444 African-Americans (21%), in 111 of 381 Hispanics (29%), and in four of 28 Asians (14%) (P < 0.001 comparing Hispanics with whites and comparing African-Americans with whites; P < 0.01 comparing Hispanics with African-Americans). Of 335 patients with diabetes, 146 (44%) had coronary disease, 94 (28%) had stroke or transient cerebral ischaemic attack, 86 (26%) had peripheral arterial disease, 65 (19%) had heart failure, 107 (32%) had nephropathy, 71 (21%) had retinopathy, 47 (14%) had neuropathy, 284 (85%) had target-organ damage/clinical cardiovascular disease, 252 (75%) had hypertension, 300 (90%) had hypertension or dyslipidaemia, and 152 (45%) had obesity. The prevalence of stroke or transient cerebral ischaemic attack was greater in older African-Americans with diabetes mellitus than in older whites with diabetes mellitus (P < 0.02). The prevalence of diabetic nephropathy and of target-organ damage/clinical cardiovascular disease was greater in older African-Americans with diabetes mellitus than in older whites (P < 0.02) and Hispanics (P < 0.05) with diabetes mellitus. Increased concentrations of glycosylated haemoglobin (> 7%) occurred in 28 of 86 African-Americans (33%), in 69 of 104 Hispanics (66%), and in 23 of 118 whites (19%) (P < 0.001 comparing Hispanics with whites and comparing Hispanics with African-Americans; P < 0.05 comparing African-Americans with whites). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in 2003 older persons seen in an academic hospital-based geriatrics practice was 17% and was greater in Hispanics than in whites or African-Americans, and greater in African-Americans than in whites. The prevalence of target-organ damage/clinical cardiovascular disease was 85% in 335 older patients with diabetes. The prevalence of stroke or transient cerebral ischaemic attack was greater in older African-Americans with diabetes mellitus than in older whites with the disorder. The prevalence of diabetic nephropathy and of target-organ damage/clinical cardiovascular disease was greater in older African-Americans with diabetes mellitus than in older whites and Hispanics with diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of poor glycaemic control was greater in Hispanics than in whites or African-Americans and greater in African-Americans than in whites.     

Comparison of major coronary risk factors in female and male patients with premature coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to analyse and compare the major coronary risk factors of female and male patients with premature coronary artery disease (CAD) aged < or = 45 years. METHODS: We evaluated 4613 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography at our institution; 572 symptomatic patients (489 men and 83 women) diagnosed as having premature CAD (age < or = 45 years) were included in our analysis. For each patient, the presence of major coronary risk factors such as family history of CAD, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cigarette smoking were recorded. Besides, clinical presentation and angiographic findings were also recorded. RESULTS: The most common risk factor was cigarette smoking in young men (70.3%). However, the major coronary risk factor was hypercholesterolaemia in young women (67.5%). When we compared two groups with respect to major coronary risk factors, we found that the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension were significantly higher in young women than in young men (diabetes mellitus: 27.7% vs. 12.3%, respectively, P < 0.001, hypertension: 56.6% vs. 23.4%, respectively, P < 0.001). However, cigarette smoking was found to be significantly higher in men than in women (70.3% vs. 28.9% respectively, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We have shown for the first time the impact of gender on the coronary risk factor profile in young Turkish patients with premature CAD. These findings may be useful for gender-based management and risk factor modification of young patients with premature CAD.     

老年糖尿病合并脑卒中的临床分析

目的：探讨老年糖尿病合并脑卒中的临床特点。方法：回顾性对老年2型糖尿病合并脑卒中组、非糖尿病脑卒中组及糖尿病无卒中组的临床病历资料进行分析比较。结果：老年2型糖尿病并脑卒中患者中高血压的发生率（58．0％）高于非糖尿病脑卒中组及糖尿病无卒中组（P〈0．05）。老年糖尿病合并脑卒中组以腔隙性脑梗死及多发脑梗死多见（94．0％）,更容易出现肢体偏瘫（50．0％）、构音障碍（10．0％）和失语（24．0％）。血脂、血糖、尿酸、纤维蛋白原的水平高于糖尿病无卒中组和非糖尿病脑卒中组（P〈0．05）。结论：老年糖尿病合并脑卒中时有特征性临床表现模式,血糖控制不佳,高血压、高血脂、高尿酸、高纤维蛋白原是老年2型糖尿病并发脑卒中主要危险因素．影响预后。     

Silent cerebral infarction in the patients with essential hypertension]

Evidence of old cerebral infarction of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is common in acute stroke patients without a prior history of stroke. This experience led us to investigate the incidence of silent cerebral infarction (SCI) in the patients with essential hypertension, as well-known major predisposing factor for stroke. The incidence, number, size and localization of SCI on MRI (MARK-J, 0.1 T) and the prevalence of risk factors for stroke were investigated both in 66 hypertensive patients (WHO stage I or II; 63 +/- 9 (mean +/- S.D.) years old) and in 42 age-matched normotensive patients (61 +/- 9 years old). Risk factors selected were as follows: diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, daily alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, obesity, cardiac disease (arrhythmia and ischemic heart disease), hyperuricemia and high hematocrit. In hypertensive patients, the relationships between the incidence of SCI and hypertensive damages in major organs were also investigated. SCI was found in 45 out of the 108 subjects studied and a total of 216 SCI lesions were detected. All of the SCI lesions were localized in the subcortical white matter or in the basal ganglia. All SCI lesions were smaller than 3 cm in diameter and 201 lesions (93%) were smaller than 1 cm. The incidence of SCI tended to be higher in hypertensive patients (47%) than that in normotensives (33%) and increased significantly with advancing age in hypertensives from 26.9% in the 50s to 86.7% in the 70s, while no significant increase was noted in normotensives.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ineffective secondary prevention in survivors of cardiovascular events in the US population: report from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: Survivors of myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke are at high risk for subsequent cardiovascular events. There is limited assessment of the effectiveness of risk factor modification through current secondary preventive strategies in the US population. We determined the adequacy of risk factor modification in 1252 survivors of MI, stroke, or both in a nationally representative sample of US adults and identified factors related to inadequate control of risk factors. METHODS: The adequacy of control for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and hypercholesterolemia was assessed by personal interview, blood pressure measurements, and serum glycosylated hemoglobin and cholesterol levels in 17 752 US adults who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1988 and 1994. We also evaluated the role of potentially related factors, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, socioeconomic status, and medical insurance status using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 738 known hypertensive persons, hypertension was uncontrolled in 388 (53%). Previously undiagnosed hypertension was detected in 138 others (11%). Of 289 diabetic persons, serum glucose control was inadequate in 141. Of 1252 survivors, 225 (18%) were currently smoking, and heavy alcohol use was observed in 56 persons. Hypercholesterolemia was poorly controlled in 185 (46%) of 405 persons with known hypercholesterolemia. Undetected hypercholesterolemia was observed in 160 persons (13%). In the multivariate analysis, high-risk profiles were more likely to be observed in persons aged 46 to 65 years, women, and African Americans. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of inadequate secondary prevention was found in a subset of the US population at highest risk for stroke and MI. Considerable efforts are required to effectively implement risk factor modification strategies after MI or stroke, particularly in middle-aged persons, African Americans, and women.     

Undiagnosed diabetes mellitus among patients with prior myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetic subjects in a group of long-term myocardial infarction (MI) survivors and to investigate their cardiovascular risk factors and medical care. METHODS: Glucose tolerance (OGTT WHO 1985), cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, lipids, urinary albumin), and primary medical care during the previous year were assessed among 244 patients without previously known diabetes (mean age +/- SD: 70.5 +/- 6.9 yrs; 75% males; time since incident infarction: 6.5 years (median), inter-quartile range: 4-9 years) from the population-based MONICA myocardial infarction registry in Augsburg (Germany). RESULTS: Proportion of undiagnosed diabetes among MI registry patients was 29/244, 12% (95%CI: 8-17%); impaired glucose tolerance was found in 27% (22-34%). Using fasting glucose according to ADA 1997 criteria, 11% (7-16%) had diabetes and 17% (12-22%) impaired fasting glucose. MI registry patients with newly detected diabetes (WHO or ADA) showed a more adverse risk factor profile (higher triglycerides, lower HDL-cholesterol, increased urinary albumin) than subjects with normal glucose tolerance after controlling for possible confounders (age, sex, time since MI, antihypertensive and lipid-lowering medication). No significant differences were observed for self-reported medical care during the previous year among diabetic compared to non-diabetic subjects (number of physician visits and basic investigations). CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus among the selected elderly long-term MI survivors. Because mortality rate after MI has been previously shown to be increased in diabetic patients, screening for glucose intolerance appears to be as essential as for standard cardiovascular risk factors.     

天津社区老年脑卒中患者现状调查

目的探讨社区脑卒中患者健康状况及脑卒中二级预防情况。方法由经过培训的天津市环湖医院神经科医师和天津市和平区白楼医院的内科医师,面对面地调查、体检和填表。调查内容包括年龄、性别、脑卒中时间、既往病史、吸烟、饮酒、嗜盐、锻炼、服药史。体检包括身高、体重、血压、ECG、空腹血糖、TG及TC。并进行统计学分析。结果社区脑卒中患者中,既往缺血性脑卒中患者占绝大多数(93.08%)。吸烟(5.38%)、饮酒(2.31%)不良嗜好的比例较低;平日锻炼者占25.77%;嗜盐比例较高(33.46%),超重比例40.77%,肥胖比例31.92%;长期规律服用拜阿司匹林10.77%,高脂血症患病率为31.54%;高血压患病率为79.23%,血压控制良好,基本符合高血压用药原则;糖尿病患病率为30.38%,大部分患者血糖控制良好。结论社区脑卒中患者中,缺血性脑卒中患者占绝大多数,高血压、糖尿病、冠心病和高脂血症患病率较高。通过规律用药,高血压、糖尿病控制较好,但饮食控盐较差。缺血性脑卒中二级预防中,抗血小板药物及他汀类药物应用率较低,还需要社会和医疗机构的宣教,提高患者健康水平和用药依从性。     

不同性别脑梗死患者危险因素的比较

目的探讨不同性别脑梗死患者危险因素的差异。方法回顾性分析2006年全国33家三级甲等医院急性脑梗死住院患者1633例,年龄为18～94岁;男993例,女640例。设计统一调查病例表,内容包括：人口统计学资料（性别、年龄、居住地、文化程度及工作状态等）、既往史及危险因素等。结果①男女脑梗死住院患者的比例为1．55：1。女性发病年龄为（66±12）岁,高于男性的（65±12）岁,两者比较,P=0．049。②青年期（18～45岁）男性脑梗死的发生率显著高于女性,分别为74．39％和25．61％（P〈0．05）,其他年龄段亦均高于女性,但差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。③两组患者居住地均以市区居高,差异无统计学意义;在男性患者中,中学文化程度以上卒中的发生率居高,女性文化程度低的卒中发生率居高,差异有统计学意义（χ^2=137．8,P=0．000）。女性患者无业人员高于男性,男性国家企业及退休人员患者高于女性,差异有统计学意义（χ^2=124．2,P=0．000）。④男性患者的危险因素分别为：高血压（60．8％）、高龄（41．7％）、吸烟（21．1％）、糖尿病（20．1％）;女性患者的危险因素分别为：高血压（63．9％）、高龄（44．4％）、糖尿病（24．4％）、心脏病（24．2％）。女性脑梗死患者糖尿病、心脏病的发生率高于男性,男性脑梗死患者动脉粥样硬化、吸烟、饮酒的发生率高于女性,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。⑤多元Logistic回归分析,吸烟和饮酒均可以增加肥胖的危险（分别为OR=3．059,95％CI：1．978～4．731;OR=2．330,95％CI：1．221～4．445）。结论①各年龄段男性脑梗死患者所占比例均高于女性。②高血压是所有脑梗死患者的首要危险因素。③吸烟、饮酒或多种危险因素共存,可能是男性脑梗死患者比例高的主要原因,尤其在青年男性中更加显著。④文化程度低及无业女性脑梗死发生率较高。     

脑梗死患者颈动脉斑块与相关因素分析

目的探讨脑梗死患者有无颈动脉斑块与各相关因素之间的关系。方法选择经颈动脉血管超声检查的急性脑梗死患者546例,根据超声结果分为斑块组398例,无斑块组148例。分析2组患者与血管危险因素、脑卒中类型之间的关系。结果脑梗死患者颈部血管斑块发生率较高,占72.89%。与无斑块组比较,斑块组患者发病年龄、吸烟、脑卒中、血压、高敏C反应蛋白、糖尿病、脂蛋白(a)、全部前循环及部分后循环脑梗死明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01)。logistic回归分析显示,吸烟、脑卒中、高敏C反应蛋白≥1.74 mg/L、高血压、收缩压≥140 mmHg是脑梗死的危险因素。结论动脉粥样硬化是脑梗死的主要原因,年龄、高血压、高敏C反应蛋白升高是脑梗死的独立危险因素,危险因素的干预对预防脑血管病非常必要。     

Myocardial infarction in young men. Study of risk factors in nine countries.

In order to determine whether the development of myocardial infarction in different countries is associated with different risk factors, 240 male survivors, aged 40 or less, were studied in nine countries. In the seven centres in developed countries (Auckland, Melbourne, Los Angles/Atlanta, Cape Town, Tel Avic, Heidelberg, and Edinburgh) there was a high procedure of risk factors, particularly of hyperlipidaemia and cigarette smoking. The prevalence of hypertension, obesity, hyperglycaemia, and hyperuricaemia varied from centre to centre. Risk factors were less prevalent in Bombay and Singapore: the most common risks operating in Bombay seemed to be cigarette smoking and hyperglycaemia, while in Singpore cigarette smoking was the commonest. The mean age of the whole group was 35.4 years. Serum cholesterol levels of 7.25 mmol/l (280 mg/dl) or more were present in 25 per cent of all patients, serum triglyceride levels of 2.26 mmol/l )l200 mg/dl) or more in 35 per cent. 80 per cent of the patients were smokers, and 15 per cent were either for hypertension before myocardial infarction or had a raised blood pressure after myocardial infarction. Obesity was found in 19 per cent of all patients and serum uric acid levels over 0.5 mmol/l (8.5 mg/dl) in 17 per cent. 10 per cent of all patients were either treated for diabetes mellitus before myocardial infarction or showed an abnormal glucose tolerance after myocardial infarction. This collaborative study may help, by showing differences in the prevalence of risk factors, to indicate to each centre and to national and to international organizations, the direction for their future studies into the causation and prevention of myocardial infarction in young men.     

Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in healthy control subjects and patients with diabetes mellitus, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, and arterial hypertension

Infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae has been suggested to play a role in the development and maintenance of atherosclerosis based on differences in the prevalence of antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients with and without atherosclerotic lesions. We evaluated the prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in the white cells of the peripheral blood in 194 patients with diabetes mellitus, 50 patients with acute coronary syndrome, 102 hypertensive patients, 193 patients having suffered a stroke and in 368 healthy subjects with a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). Overall the prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in peripheral blood cells was: diabetes mellitus (11.9%), stroke (10.4%), hypertension (6.9%), acute coronary syndrome (4.0%) and healthy subjects (7.9%). The prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in the patients was not significantly different from prevalence in the healthy subjects. However, a significant association was found between high levels of triglycerides and presence of C. pneumoniae DNA (OR = 3.27, p < 0.04). The prevalence of C. pneumoniae DNA was not associated with age, gender, smoking, BMI, HDL, CRP, plasma creatinine and symptoms or signs of ischaemic heart disease. The association between high levels of triglycerides and C. pneumoniae DNA suggests that infection by C. pneumoniae affects lipid metabolism.     

Myocardial infarction in young men. Study of risk factors in nine countries.

In order to determine whether the development of myocardial infarction in different countries is associated with different risk factors, 240 male survivors, aged 40 or less, were studied in nine countries. In the seven centres in developed countries (Auckland, Melbourne, Los Angles/Atlanta, Cape Town, Tel Avic, Heidelberg, and Edinburgh) there was a high procedure of risk factors, particularly of hyperlipidaemia and cigarette smoking. The prevalence of hypertension, obesity, hyperglycaemia, and hyperuricaemia varied from centre to centre. Risk factors were less prevalent in Bombay and Singapore: the most common risks operating in Bombay seemed to be cigarette smoking and hyperglycaemia, while in Singpore cigarette smoking was the commonest. The mean age of the whole group was 35.4 years. Serum cholesterol levels of 7.25 mmol/l (280 mg/dl) or more were present in 25 per cent of all patients, serum triglyceride levels of 2.26 mmol/l )l200 mg/dl) or more in 35 per cent. 80 per cent of the patients were smokers, and 15 per cent were either for hypertension before myocardial infarction or had a raised blood pressure after myocardial infarction. Obesity was found in 19 per cent of all patients and serum uric acid levels over 0.5 mmol/l (8.5 mg/dl) in 17 per cent. 10 per cent of all patients were either treated for diabetes mellitus before myocardial infarction or showed an abnormal glucose tolerance after myocardial infarction. This collaborative study may help, by showing differences in the prevalence of risk factors, to indicate to each centre and to national and to international organizations, the direction for their future studies into the causation and prevention of myocardial infarction in young men.     

Prevalence of Hyperglycaemia and Undiagnosed Diabetes Mellitus in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

ABSTRACT The prevalence of hyperglycaemia and undiagnosed diabetes mellitus was assessed in 214 consecutive patients admitted to the coronary care units with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). On admission, 16 patients (7.5%) had known diabetes, and 19 patients, not previously known to be diabetic, had blood glucose concentrations of ≥9 mmol/1. Fifteen patients survived for 2 months at which time a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test showed diabetes in 9 (60%) and impaired glucose tolerance in 4 (27%). Ten of these 13 patients (77%) with abnormal glucose tolerance had elevated glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA_1c) on admission, indicating pre-existing glucose intolerance or diabetes. The prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes was 4.5% (9/198). However, we may have overlooked undiagnosed diabetes in a small number of patients on admission, since only a random blood glucose <8 mmol/1 rules out diabetes, WHO criteria. Elevated blood glucose in patients with AMI is more likely to reflect a stationary pre-existing abnormal glucose tolerance than a temporary stress-induced phenomenon.     

Undiagnosed diabetes mellitus among patients with prior myocardial infarction

Objective To determine the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetic subjects in a group of long-term myocardial infarction (MI) survivors and to investigate their cardiovascular risk factors and medical care. Methods Glucose tolerance (OGTT WHO 1985), cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, lipids, urinary albumin), and primary medical care during the previous year were assessed among 244 patients without previously known diabetes (mean age±SD: 70.5±6.9 yrs; 75% males; time since incident infarction: 6.5 years (median), inter-quartile range: 4–9 years) from the population-based MONICA myocardial infarction registry in Augsburg (Germany). Results Proportion of undiagnosed diabetes among MI registry patients was 29/244, 12% (95%CI: 8–17%); impaired glucose tolerance was found in 27% (22–34%). Using fasting glucose according to ADA 1997 criteria, 11% (7–16%) had diabetes and 17% (12–22%) impaired fasting glucose. MI registry patients with newly detected diabetes (WHO or ADA) showed a more adverse risk factor profile (higher triglycerides, lower HDL-cholesterol, increased urinary albumin) than subjects with normal glucose tolerance after controlling for possible confounders (age, sex, time since MI, antihypertensive and lipid-lowering medication). No significant differences were observed for self-reported medical care during the previous year among diabetic compared to non-diabetic subjects (number of physician visits and basic investigations). Conclusions There was a high prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus among the selected elderly long-term MI survivors. Because mortality rate after MI has been previously shown to be increased in diabetic patients, screening for glucose intolerance appears to be as essential as for standard cardiovascular risk factors.