Microalbuminuria accounts for the increased vascular disease risk in diabetic patients with metabolic syndrome

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the metabolic syndrome on vascular disease risk in patients with type-2 diabetes. A prospective cohort study was carried out. The main dependent variable was the combination of coronary disease, stroke and lower leg amputation. Cox regression modeling was used. In total, 317 patients were followed for a mean of 7.7 years. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 87%. Multivariate analysis identified the following as predictors of incident vascular disease: age (relative risk [RR] =1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.1; P=.0003), baseline cardiovascular disease (RR=1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-3.0; P=.017), and the simultaneous presence of four metabolic risk factors (RR=5.8; 95% CI, 1.8-18; P=.003). The most predictive factor was microalbuminuria (chi2=5.9; P=.015). Microalbuminuria accounts for the increased risk of vascular disease in patients with metabolic syndrome. In evaluating vascular disease risk in patients with type-2 diabetes, it is more important to consider the total number of metabolic risk factors than the presence of metabolic syndrome alone.     

Obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes: cardiovascular implications and therapy

Obesity, metabolic syndrome and type-2 diabetes mellitus are three interrelated conditions that share a number of pathophysiological mechanisms and that are frequently observed to lead, in succession, to cardiovascular complications. The fact that their prevalence is increasing alarmingly should prompt all healthcare professionals urgently to implement measures to prevent these complications. The most effective, though also the least adopted, are those related to lifestyle modification. Drug treatment targeted at controlling risk factors (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemia, and thrombophilia), metabolic abnormalities, and excess weight is also necessary.     

High prevalence of classic cardiovascular risk factors in a population of university students from south central Chile

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular disease is the principle cause of death worldwide. Such disease can be prevented by controlling cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: The study involved 783 students aged between 18 and 26 years from the University of Talca (Region VII, Maule, Chile), which corresponds to 14.9% of all students. Their demographic characteristics, familial cardiovascular disease history, weight, height, arterial pressure, and waist diameter were recorded, and their lipid and blood glucose levels were measured. RESULTS: Overall, 12.8% of students had some degree of arterial hypertension, which was more severe in men than in women (P<.0001). In addition, 45.5% of the men and 24.3% of the women were overweight or obese. Some 39.8% of students admitted being smokers and 91.5% did not participate in any significant physical activity. Hypercholesterolemia (>or=200 mg/dL) was present in 20.2% of students and around 1.0% had the metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of the main cardiovascular risk factors was found to be high in the study population. It may be necessary to carry out regular publicity campaigns that focus on improving lifestyle to decrease the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in young people in whom morbidity and mortality is still low.     

Socioeconomic pathology as a cause of regional differences in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and pregnancy-induced hypertension

The epidemic of cardiovascular disease being experienced by developing countries has resulted in a debate about the possible existence of regional differences in etiology and pathophysiology that could be associated with socio-economic factors. Clear demonstration of these differences is important because there may be a need for different approaches to prevention, diagnosis and treatment. There is some evidence that there are differences between populations in developed and developing countries in the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying pregnancy-induced hypertension and metabolic syndrome, just as there are in the relative weightings of risk factors that predict the appearance of these conditions. Observations in our country suggest that increasing exposure to changes in lifestyle brought about by the consumer society (e.g., a lack of exercise, and a high-fat, high-calorie diet) results in a natural biological response (e.g., obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes) that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. We propose that the term socioeconomic pathology should be used to describe these changes associated with modern society so that they can be differentiated and considered in isolation from socioeconomic factors and other risk factors. We regard the interaction between these various factors as the most important cause of the rapidly increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease observed in developing countries in recent years.     

Cardiovascular risk factors in Spain in the first decade of the 21st Century, a pooled analysis with individual data from 11 population-based studies: the DARIOS study

Introduction and objectives

To estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in individuals aged 35-74 years in 10 of Spain's autonomous communities and determine the geographic variation of cardiovascular risk factors distribution.

Methods

Pooled analysis with individual data from 11 studies conducted in the first decade of the 21st century. The average response rate was 73%. Lipid profile (with laboratory cross-validation), glucose level, blood pressure, waist circumference, height, and weight were measured and standard questionnaires administered. Age-standardized prevalence of smoking, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity in the European population were calculated. Furthermore, the coefficient of variation between component studies was determined for the prevalence of each risk factor.

Results

In total, 28,887 participants were included. The most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors were high blood pressure (47% in men, 39% in women), total cholesterol ≥250 mg/dL (43% and 40%, respectively), obesity (29% and 29%, respectively), tobacco use (33% and 21%, respectively), and diabetes (16% and 11%, respectively). Total cholesterol ≥190 and ≥250 mg/dL were the respective minimum and maximum coefficients of variation (7%-24% in men, 7%-26% in women). Average concordance in lipid measurements between laboratories was excellent.

Conclusions

Prevalence of high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, obesity, tobacco use and diabetes is high. Little variation was observed between autonomous communities in the population aged 35-74 years. However, presence of the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors in the Canary Islands, Extremadura and Andalusia was greater than the mean of the 11 studies.Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org     

Analyzing the coronary heart disease mortality decline in a Mediterranean population: Spain 1988-2005

Introduction and objectives

To examine the extent to which the decrease in coronary heart disease mortality rates in Spain between 1988 and 2005 could be explained by changes in cardiovascular risk factors and by the use of medical and surgical treatments.

Methods

We used the previously validated IMPACT model to examine the contributions of exposure factors (risk factors and treatments) to the main outcome, changes in the mortality rates of death from coronary heart disease, among adults 35 to 74 years of age. Main data sources included official mortality statistics, results of longitudinal studies, national surveys, randomized controlled trials, and meta-analyses. The difference between observed and expected coronary heart disease deaths in 2005 was then partitioned between treatments and risk factors.

Results

From 1988 to 2005, the age-adjusted coronary heart disease mortality rates fell by almost 40%, resulting in 8530 fewer coronary heart disease deaths in 2005. Approximately 47% of the fall in deaths was attributed to treatments. The major treatment contributions came from initial therapy for acute coronary syndromes (11%), secondary prevention (10%), and heart failure (9%).About 50% of the fall in mortality was attributed to changes in risk factors. The largest mortality benefit came from changes in total cholesterol (about 31% of the mortality fall) and in systolic blood pressure (about 15%). However, some substantial gender differences were observed in risk factor trends with an increase in diabetes and obesity in men and an increase in smoking in young women. These generated additional deaths.

Conclusions

Approximately half of the coronary heart disease mortality fall in Spain was attributable to reductions in major risk factors, and half to evidence-based therapies. These results increase understanding of past trends and will help to inform planning for future prevention and treatment strategies in low-risk populations.Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org     

Surgical treatment of ascending aortic complications in Marfan syndrome: early and long-term outcomes

Findings in 54 patients (mean age 39 years, range 18-66 years, 25% female) were analyzed. Of these patients, 21 had dissection of the ascending aorta (15 acute and six chronic) and 33 had aneurysm of the ascending aorta. Surgery was classified as emergency surgery in three cases, as urgent in 15, and as scheduled surgery in 36. The Bentall-De Bono procedure was performed in 39 patients, aortic valve reimplantation was carried out in nine, Cabrol's operation was performed in three, and a homograft was used in three. The mean diameter of the ascending aorta was 66.6 mm. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 3.7% (33.3% for emergency surgery vs. 2.8% for scheduled surgery; P< .001). During the mean follow-up period of 4 years (range, 2 months-14 years), seven patients died, including four who died due to type-B aortic dissection. The actuarial survival rate at 2, 5 and 10 years was 94%, 83% and 75%, respectively, with 88%, 67% and 43% of patients, respectively, not requiring reoperation. Elective aortic root replacement was associated with a low risk and a good survival rate.     

Metabolic syndrome and concomitant diabetes mellitus are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular comorbidity in patients with primary glomerular diseases: A retrospective observational study

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MS) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in general population. However, there was a paucity of studies investigating their impact in primary glomerular diseases (PGD).HypothesisMS and concomitant DM are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular comorbidity in PGD.MethodsIn a retrospective observational design, we analyzed 3622 hospitalized adult PGD patients and compared the prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidity in non‐MS, MS with and without DM. Risk factors for cardiovascular comorbidity were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.ResultsAmong 3622 PGD patients, 308 (8.5%) cases accompanied with MS, including 180 (5.0%) patients with DM and 128 (3.5%) without DM. One hundred and sixty four (4.5%) cases coexisted with cardiovascular comorbidity. Patients with MS and concomitant DM exhibited a higher prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidity than those without MS stratified by estimated glomerular filtration rate and pathological types. Logistic regression showed that MS and concomitant DM (OR: 2.496, 95% CI: 1.600‐3.894, P < .001), older age (OR: 1.060, 95% CI: 1.047‐1.074, P < .001), male (OR: 1.536, 95% CI: 1.072‐2.200, P = .019), higher level of serum ti (OR: 1.002, 95% CI: 1.001‐1.003, P < .001), hyperuricemia (OR: 1.901, 95% CI: 1.327‐2.725, P < .001), idiopathic membranous nephropathy (OR: 2.874, 95% CI: 1.244‐6.640, P < .001) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (OR: 2.906, 95% CI: 1.147‐7.358, P < .001) were independently associated with a higher risk for cardiovascular comorbidity.ConclusionsIn PGD patients, MS and concomitant DM are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular comorbidity. More evidence for the causal link between MS/DM and cardiovascular outcomes is needed to be clarified.     

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Introduction and objectives

A large proportion of patients with coronary disease have metabolic syndrome, although the frequency and association of its different components are not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the combination of its components in a Spanish cohort of patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Methods

Clinical histories of 574 inpatients with acute coronary syndrome in 6 tertiary hospitals were reviewed and the presence of metabolic syndrome and its components determined by applying Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. In a second step, the components of the metabolic syndrome were analyzed, excluding those patients with diabetes mellitus.

Results

The metabolic syndrome was present in 50.9% of patients and was more frequent in women than in men (66.3% vs. 47.3%; P<.001). The most prevalent component was carbohydrate metabolism disorder (85.3%), followed by low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) levels (80.5%). In nondiabetic patients, 34.6% had metabolic syndrome and the most prevalent component was low HDLc levels (86%), followed by high blood pressure and hypertriglyceridemia and, in fourth place, impaired fasting serum glucose levels.

Conclusions

The metabolic syndrome has a high prevalence in patients with an acute coronary syndrome, especially in women. The most frequent components are hyperglycemia and low HDLc levels. After excluding diabetic patients, the most prevalent diagnostic criterion of metabolic syndrome was low HDLc levels.Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org     

老年急性冠脉综合征合并糖尿病患者的冠脉病变及其危险因素

目的：研究老年急性冠脉综合征（ACS）合并糖尿病患者的冠状动脉病变特点及相关危险因素。方法：选择老年ACS患者209例,被分为两组：ACS合并糖尿病组（观察组,73例）,ACS无糖尿病组（ACS对照组,136例）。并根据冠状动脉造影结果,对其冠脉病变特点进行分析。结果：观察组三支病变（50．68％）、弥漫性病变（27．22％）以及Gensini积分（24．21±4．37）分,均显著高于对照组[30．15％,16．09％,（18．53±3．59）分,P〈0．05～〈0．01]。多元Logistic逐步回归分析显示观察组高血压的合并风险比值（OR）为1．455,P=0．013,甘油三酯OR为1.930,P=0．003,总胆固醇OR为1．552,P=0．006,均为其危险因素。结论：老年急性冠脉综合征合并糖尿病患者的冠脉病变复杂、严重,甘油三酯、总胆固醇以及合并高血压病史是其发生、发展的重要危险因素。     

Albuminuria: Prevalence,associated risk factors and relationship with cardiovascular disease

Aims/Introduction

To investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of microalbuminuria, and to explore the relationship between albuminuria and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Materials and Methods

A nationally representative sample of 38,203 Chinese participants was categorized by different levels of urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (ACR; 0 –10 mg/g, 10 –20 mg/g, 20 –30 mg/g, 30 –300 mg/g). The prevalence of albuminuria was compared by using a single urinary ACR cut‐off point and by sex‐specific ACR cut‐off points. Factors associated with the presence of albuminuria, and the relationship between albuminuria and CVD were analyzed by logistic regression.

Results

Prevalence of albuminuria as measured by a single ACR cut‐point was significantly lower for men compared with women (13.9% vs 19.1% in the normal glucose tolerance group; 20.8% vs 26.8% in the impaired glucose tolerance group, P < 0.01). The prevalence of albuminuria, as measured by sex‐specific ACR cut‐points, was higher for men than women (31.4% vs 29.6% in the normal glucose tolerance group; 42.2% vs 39.3% in the impaired glucose tolerance group, P < 0.01). The independent risk factors for the presence of albuminuria were aging, female sex, hypertension, hyperglycemia, obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. The subdivided normal ACR group did not show a linear or statistically significant relationship with CVD after adjusting for conventional CVD risk factors (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The prevalence of albuminuria was high in the general Chinese population. Aging, female sex, hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, obesity and metabolic syndrome were all independent risk factors for albuminuria. The causal relationship between ACR and CVD might require further follow‐up investigation.     

Metabolic syndrome and dietary components are associated with coronary artery disease risk score in free-living adults: a cross-sectional study

Background

Prevalence of men with cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF) is increasing in Japan. Few studies have comprehensively examined the relation between lifestyles and CMRF.

Methods

We examined the baseline data from 3,498 male workers ages 19 to 69 years who participated in the high-risk and population strategy for occupational health promotion (HIPOP-OHP) study at 12 large-scale companies throughout Japan. The physical activity of each participant was classified according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Dietary intake was surveyed by a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. We defined four CMRF in this study as follows: 1) high blood pressure (BP): systolic BP ≥ 130 mmHg, or diastolic BP ≥ 85 mmHg, or the use of antihypertensive drugs; 2) dyslipidemia: high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration < 40 mg/dl, or triglycerides concentration ≥ 150 mg/dl, or on medication for dyslipidemia; 3) impaired glucose tolerance: fasting blood sugar concentration ≥110 mg/dl; 4) obese: a body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m².

Results

Those who had 0 to 4 CMRF accounted for 1,597 (45.7%), 1,032 (29.5%), 587 (16.8%), 236 (6.7%), and 44 (1.3%) participants, respectively, in the Poisson distribution. Poisson regression analysis revealed that independent factors that contributed to the number of CMRF were age (b = 0.020, P < 0.01), IPAQ (b = -0.091, P < 0.01), alcohol intake (ml/day) (b = 0.001, P = 0.03), percentage of protein intake (b = 0.059, P = 0.01), and total energy intake (kcal)(b = 0.0001, P < 0.01). Furthermore, alcohol intake and its frequency had differential effects.

Conclusions

Alcohol intake, percent protein and total energy intake were positively associated, whereas drinking frequency and IPAQ were inversely associated, with the number of CMRF.     

急性冠脉综合征患者PCI术后氯吡格雷抵抗的危险因素分析

目的:观察冠心病急性冠脉综合征(ACS)患者经皮冠状动脉介入(PCI)术后氯吡格雷抵抗(CR)的危险因素。方法:分析102例入新华医院心内科行PCI治疗的冠心病ACS患者的临床资料。根据血小板抑制情况(血栓弹力图中ADP诱导的血小板聚集率的抑制率),患者被分为CR组(抑制率<30%,39例)和非CR组(抑制率≥30%,63例)。对CR的可能危险因素进行单因素分析和多因素逐步Logistic回归分析。结果:102例中39例出现CR,发生率为38.2%;与非CR组比较,CR组糖尿病患者比例(15.9%比33.3%)、白细胞计数[(6.34±1.98)×109/L比(7.38±2.42)×109/L]明显升高(P<0.05);进一步Logistic回归分析发现,2型糖尿病(B=1.470,P=0.008)和白细胞计数(B=0.331,P=0.008)是该类患者发生CR的独立危险因素。结论:2型糖尿病和白细胞计数升高是氯吡格雷抵抗的独立危险因素。