Efficacy and safety of sirolimus-eluting stents versus bare-metal stents in coronary artery disease patients with diabetes: a meta-analysis

Objective

To compare by meta-analysis the efficacy and safety of sirolimus-eluting and bare-metal stents in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with diabetes.

Methods

PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched from 1971 to 2012. Data on the efficacy and safety of sirolimus-eluting and bare-metal stents in patients with diabetes were collected. A meta-analysis was then performed on a total of 1 259 CAD patients with diabetes from six studies. The odds ratio (OR) was used for comparison. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the sample size, year of study, subjects’ geographic area and study method.

Results

Compared with those in the bare-metal stent group (BMS), the subjects in the sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) group had a reduced risk for major cardiac events [OR 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 024–0.74, p < 0.01] and target-lesion revascularisation (OR 0.26, 95% CI: 0.11–0.59, p < 0.01). There was no difference for myocardial infarction (OR 0.92, 95% CI: 0.61–1.40, p > 0.05) or mortality (OR 1.19, 95% CI: 0.74–1.92, p > 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed a significant difference for overall risk of major cardiac events between SES and BMS when the sample size was ≤ 90 (OR 0.28, 95% CI: 0.16–0.48, p < 0.01), when it was a randomised control trial (RCT) (OR 0.28, 95% CI: 0.19–0.42, p < 0.01), or when it was performed on European subjects (OR 0.45, 95% CI: 0.27–0.77, p < 0.01). The sensitivity was not different when one study was removed at a time.

Conclusion

Our study confirmed that SES are safer and more effective than BMS in CAD patients with diabetes, as far as major cardiac events are concerned.     

Investigation of predictors of increased creatine kinase levels following vascular surgery and the association with peri-operative statin therapy

Summary

Although peri-operative statin administration is likely to be cardioprotective, there remains a concern about the risk of rhabdomyolysis and associated renal failure following statin administration in the peri-operative period. The aim of this study was to determine independent predictors of creatine kinase (CK) elevation following vascular surgery.

Design

A retrospective cohort study was conducted. A multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression was conducted of clinical, surgical and laboratory factors which may be associated with a CK exceeding five times the upper limit of normal (ULN).

Results

Four independent predictors associated with a CK > 5 ULN were identified. Statin therapy was protective [odds ratio (OR) 0.096, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.014–0.68, p = 0.019], and a serum creatinine > 180 μmol.l^-1, positive serum troponins and embolectomy and/or fasciotomy were associated with CK elevation (OR 3.32, 95% CI: 1.03–10.7, p = 0.04; OR 5.84, 95% CI: 1.52–22.4, p = 0.01; OR 5.62, 95% CI: 1.14–27.8, p = 0.03 respectively). Statin therapy was associated with decreased mortality (OR 0.26, 95% CI: 0.08–0.86, p = 0.028).

Conclusion

It may be preferable to continue statin therapy in vascular surgical patients even when CK is elevated, as this may decrease mortality if the CK elevation is in the presence of pre-existing renal dysfunction, peri-operative cardiac events or following embolectomy or fasciotomy. Further investigation is required to confirm this observation.     

In-hospital and mid-term adverse clinical outcomes of a direct stenting strategy versus stenting after predilatation for the treatment of coronary artery lesions

Background

Direct stenting without balloon dilatation may reduce procedural costs and duration, and hypothetically, the restenosis rate. This study was designed to compare the in-hospital and long-term outcomes of direct stenting (DS) versus stenting after pre-dilatation (PS) in our routine clinical practice.

Methods

The 1 603 patients treated with stenting for single coronary lesions were enrolled into a prospective registry. Patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) within the preceding 48 hours, and those with highly calcified lesions, total occlusions, or a lesion in a saphenous graft were excluded. The baseline, angiographic and procedural data, inhospital outcomes and follow-up data were recorded in our database and analysed with appropriate statistical methods.

Results

Eight hundred and fifty-seven patients (53.5%) were treated with DS and 746 (46.5%) underwent PS. In the DS group, lesions were shorter in length, larger in diameter and had lower pre-procedural diameter stenosis. Type C and diffuse lesions and drug-eluting stents were found less often (p < 0.001). With univariate analysis, dissection and non-Q-wave MI occurred less frequently in this group (0.2 and 0.6% vs 3.9 and 2.1%, p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). However, the cumulative major adverse cardiac events (MACE) did not differ significantly (4.9 vs 4.6%, p = 0.79). With multivariate analysis, direct stenting reduced the risk of dissection (OR = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01–0.33, but neither the cumulative endpoint of MACE (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.58–2.11, p = 0.7) nor its constructing components were different between the groups.

Conclusions

Direct stenting in the real world has at least similar long-term outcomes in patients treated with stenting after pre-dilatation, and is associated with lower dissection rates.     

Elevated salivary C-reactive protein predicted by low cardio-respiratory fitness and being overweight in African children

Introduction

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a sensitive marker of systemic inflammation and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between salivary CRP, cardio-respiratory fitness and body composition in a paediatric population.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of 170 black South African children (age 9.41 ± 1.55 years, 100 females, 70 males) in grades 3 to 7. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were obtained for the analysis of CRP. Height, mass, skin-fold thickness, resting blood pressure, and waist and hip circumference measurements were obtained. Cardio-respiratory fitness was assessed using a 20-m multi-stage shuttle run. Children were classified as overweight/obese according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) body mass index (BMI) percentile ranking, and meeting percentage body fat recommendations, if percentage body fat was ≤ 25% in boys and ≤ 32% in girls. The cut-off point for low cardio-respiratory fitness was a predicted aerobic capacity value ≤ the 50th percentile for the group. Contributions of low cardio-respiratory fitness, overweight/obesity, and not meeting percentage body fat recommendations, to elevated salivary CRP (≥ 75th percentile) concentration and secretion rate were examined using binary logistic regression analysis with a backward stepwise selection technique based on likelihood ratios.

Results

Poor cardio-respiratory fitness was independently associated with elevated salivary CRP concentration (OR 3.9, 95% CI: 1.7–8.9, p = 0.001). Poor cardio-respiratory fitness (OR 2.7, 95% CI: 1.2–6.1, p = 0.02) and overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 85th percentile) (OR 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1–5.9, p = 0.03) were independent predictors of elevated salivary CRP secretion rate.

Conclusion

The results suggest a strong association between poor cardio-respiratory fitness and/or overweight/obesity and inflammatory status in children, based on elevated salivary CRP levels.     

Superiority of 10-mm-wide Balloon over 8-mm-wide Balloon in Papillary Dilation for Bile Duct Stones: A Matched Cohort Study

Background/Aims:

Endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) is a possible alternative to endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) for common bile duct (CBD) stones. To date, 10- and 8-mm EPBD have not been fully compared.

Patients and Methods:

Patients who underwent EPBD for CBD stones at two Japanese tertiary care centers between May 1994 and January 2014 were identified. Matched pairs with 10- and 8-mm EPBD were generated. Short- and long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results:

A total of 869 patients were identified (61 and 808 patients for 10- and 8-mm EPBD, respectively), and 61 well-balanced pairs were generated. The rate of complete stone removal within a single session was higher in the 10-mm EPBD group than in the 8-mm EPBD group (69% vs. 44%, P < 0.001), and use of lithotripsy was less frequent in the 10-mm EPBD group (23% vs. 56%, P < 0.001). The rates of post-ERCP pancreatitis were similar between the 10- and 8-mm EPBD groups (11% vs. 8%). Cumulative biliary complication-free rates were not statistically different between the two groups: 88% [95% confidence interval (CI): 79–97%] and 94% (95% CI: 88–100%) at 1 year and 69% (95% CI: 56–85%) and 80% (95% CI: 69–93%) at 2 years in the 10- and 8-mm EPBD groups, respectively. In the 10-mm EPBD group, ascending cholangitis was not observed, and pneumobilia was found in 5% of cases during the follow-up period.

Conclusions:

EPBD using a 10-mm balloon for CBD stones is safe and more effective than 8-mm EPBD. The sphincter function is highly preserved after 10-mm EPBD.     

Prevalence and significance of early repolarisation in a black African population: data of 246 individuals with cardiovascular morbidity

Background

Early repolarisation (ER) is commonly seen on electrocardiograms (ECG). Recent reports have described the relationship between ER and sudden cardiac death (SCD). The prevalence and significance of ER have not been studied in black Africans.

Methods

We matched clinical and ECG records of subjects over 18 years of age who consulted a cardiac unit in two medical centres of Douala, Cameroon. A questionnaire focusing on past history of syncope or family history of sudden unexplained death (SUD) was filled in by each subject. A 12-lead ECG was recorded by a trained nurse and analysed by two independent physicians.

Results

Of the 752 ECGs recorded, we studied 246 index cases. The mean age of subjects was 45 ± 16 years and 53% were female. Almost 57% had hypertension, 41% had palpitations and 18% reported a history of syncope. ER pattern was found in 20% [slurring in three (3%), notching in 13% and both in three (7%)]. ER subjects were younger than those without (41 ± 16 vs 49 ± 16 years, p = 0.0048). Lead localisation was predominantly the laterals for the slurring pattern, whereas the inferior and lateral leads were equally involved for the notching pattern. Negative T waves in the infero-lateral leads were associated with ER (p = 0.00025). Among the subjects with syncope, 41% displayed ER and 13% did not have ER (p = 0.00014). The notching pattern seemed to be associated with syncope (p = 0.00011).

Conclusion

Early repolarisation is frequent in black Africans, especially in the setting of cardiovascular morbidity. Early repolarisation may be associated with a past history of syncope, especially the notched pattern.     

Validation of a model to predict all-cause in-hospital mortality in vascular surgical patients

Objective

To develop and validate a pre- and postoperative model of all-cause in-hospital mortality in South African vascular surgical patients.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective cohort study. A multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression was conducted on a derivation cohort using clinical, physiological and surgical data. Interaction and colinearity between covariates were investigated. The models were validated using the Homer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test.

Results

Independent predictors of in-hospital mortality in the pre-operative model were: (1) age (per one-year increase) [odds ratio (OR) 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0–1.06), (2) creatinine > 180 μmol.l^-1 (OR 6.43, 95% CI: 3.482–11.86), (3) chronic beta-blocker therapy (OR 2.48, 95% CI: 1.38–4.48), and (4) absence of chronic statin therapy (OR 2.81, 95% CI: 1.15–6.83). Independent predictors of mortality in the postoperative model were: (1) age (per oneyear increase) (OR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02–1.09), (2) creatinine > 180 μmol.l^-1 (OR 5.08, 95% CI: 2.50–10.31), (3) surgery out of hours without statin therapy (OR 8.27, 95% CI: 3.36–20.38), (4) mean daily postoperative heart rate (HR) (OR 1.02, 95% CI: 1.0–1.04), (5) mean daily postoperative HR in the presence of a mean daily systolic blood pressure of less than 100 beats per minute or above 179 mmHg (OR 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.03) and (6) mean daily postoperative HR associated with withdrawal of chronic beta-blockade (OR 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.03). Both models were validated.

Conclusion

The pre-operative model may predict the risk of in-hospital mortality associated with vascular surgery. The postoperative model may identify patients whose risk increases as a result of surgical or physiological factors.     

The impact of deep vein thrombosis in critically ill patients: a meta-analysis of major clinical outcomes

Background

Critically ill patients appear to be at high risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism during their stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, little is known about the clinical course of venous thromboembolism in the ICU setting. We therefore evaluated, through a systematic review of the literature, the available data on the impact of a diagnosis of DVT on hospital and ICU stay, duration of mechanical ventilation and mortality in critically ill patients. We also tried to determine whether currently adopted prophylactic measures need to be revised and improved in the ICU setting.

Materials and methods

MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched up to week 4 of June 2012. Two reviewers selected studies and extracted data. Pooled results are reported as relative risks and weighted mean differences and are presented with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Seven studies for a total of 1,783 patients were included. A diagnosis of DVT was frequent in these patients with a mean rate of 12.7% (95% CI: 8.7–17.5%). DVT patients had longer ICU and hospital stays compared to those without DVT (7.28 days; 95% CI: 1.4–13.15; and 11.2 days; 95% CI: 3.82–18.63 days, respectively). The duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly increased in DVT patients (weighted mean difference: 4.85 days; 95% CI: 2.07–7.63). DVT patients had a marginally significant increase in the risk of hospital mortality (relative risk 1.31; 95% CI: 0.99–1.74; p=0.06), and a not statistically significant increase in the risk of ICU mortality (RR 1.64; 95% CI: 0.91–2.93; p=0.10).

Conclusions

A diagnosis of DVT upon ICU admission appears to affect clinically important outcomes including duration of ICU and hospital stay and hospital mortality. Larger, prospective studies are warranted.     

Is the prevalence of pre-eclampsia affected by HIV/AIDS? A retrospective case–control study

Objective

To evaluate the rate of HIV/AIDS (and CD₄ levels) in women with pre-eclampsia compared to that of a control group.

Methods

This was a retrospective case–control study in a tertiary and regional hospital in South Africa. We reviewed the hospital records of women who had delivered in these hospitals between 1 January 2008 and 30 June 2010. The records of women with pre-eclampsia during the study period were analysed. Their HIV infection rate was compared to that of a control group consisting of normotensive healthy pregnant women.

Results

Among 492 cases of pre-eclampsia, 130 (26.4%) were HIV infected. In the control group, 183/500 (36.6%) were HIV infected (p = 0.001, OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.47–0.82). After adjustment to match the difference in maternal age and parity, the rate of HIV/AIDS was lower in the pre-eclamptic group than in the control group (p = 0.005, OR = 0.658).

Conclusion

The rate of HIV/AIDS was significantly lower in women with pre-eclampsia than in normotensive healthy pregnant women.     

Prevalence and determinants of hypertension and associated cardiovascular risk factors: data from a population-based,cross-sectional survey in Saint Louis,Senegal

Background

The incidence of cardiovascular disease is growing worldwide and this is of major public health concern. In sub-Saharan Africa, there is a lack of epidemiological data on the prevalence and distribution of risk factors of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors among an urban Senegalese population.

Methods

Using an adaptation of the WHO STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk-factor surveillance, we conducted a population-based, cross-sectional survey from 3 to 30 May 2010 on 1 424 participants aged over 15 years. Socio-demographic and behavioural risk factors were collected in step 1. Physical anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were documented in step 2. Blood tests (cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and creatinine levels) were carried out in step 3.

Results

The prevalence of hypertension was 46% (95% CI: 43.4–48%), with a higher prevalence in females (47.9%) than males (41.7%) (p = 0.015), and 50% of these hypertensive were previously undiagnosed. Mean age was 53.6 years (SD: 15.8). In known cases of hypertension, the average length of its evolution was 6 years 9 months (range 1 month to 60 years). Hypertension was significantly associated with age (p = 0.001), socio-professional category (p = 0.003), dyslipidaemia (p < 0.001), obesity (p < 0.001), physical inactivity (p < 0.001), diabetes (p < 0.001) and stroke (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

We found a high prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in this population. There is need of a specific programme for the management and prevention of cardiovascular disease in this population.     

Predictors of survival and incidence of hepatoblastoma in the paediatric population

Objectives

This study evaluates current trends in incidence, clinical outcomes and factors predictive of survival in children with hepatoblastoma (HB).

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database was queried for the period 1973–2009 for all patients aged <20 years with HB.

Results

A total of 606 patients were identified. The age-adjusted incidence was 0.13 patients per 100 000 in 2009. An annual percentage change of 2.18% (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10–3.27; P < 0.05) was seen over the study period. Overall survival rates at 5, 10 and 20 years were 63%, 61% and 59%, respectively. Ten-year survival rates significantly improved in patients with resectable disease who underwent operative treatment in comparison with those with non-resectable HB (86% versus 39%; P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed surgical treatment (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.23, 95% CI 0.17–0.31; P < 0.0001), Hispanic ethnicity (HR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.43–0.89; P = 0.01), local disease at presentation (HR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.29–0.63; P < 0.0001) and age < 5 years (HR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.41–0.95; P < 0.03) to be independent prognostic factors of survival.

Conclusions

The incidence of paediatric HB has increased over time. Hepatoblastoma is almost exclusively seen in children aged < 5 years. When HB presents after the age of 5 years, the prognosis is most unfavourable. Tumour extirpation markedly improves survival in paediatric patients with local disease.     

Alpha-fetoprotein and tumour size are associated with microvascular invasion in explanted livers of patients undergoing transplantation with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background:

To determine factors associated with outcomes and microvascular invasion (MVI) in patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods:

Between July 1996 and August 2008 at the Universities of Kentucky or Tennessee, LT recipients were retrospectively analysed.

Results:

One hundred and one patients had HCC in the explanted liver; one patient was excluded because of fibrolamellar histology. Seventy-nine (79%) were male and 81 (81%) were older than 50. HCC was incidental in 32 patients (32%). Median follow-up was 31 months. Ten patients (10%) developed recurrence, which was associated with poor survival (P= 0.006). Overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 87%, 69% and 62%, respectively. Excluding patients with lymph node metastasis (LNM) or MVI yielded 91%, 81% and 75% survival at the same time points. MVI was independently associated with recurrence (OR 28.40, 95% CI 1.77–456.48, P= 0.018) and decreased survival (OR 4.70, 95% CI 1.24–17.80, P= 0.023), and LNM with decreased survival (OR 6.05, 95% CI 1.23–29.71, P= 0.027). Tumour size (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.2–13.5, P= 0.013) and alpha-fetoproptein (AFP) > 100 (OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.4–18.1, P= 0.006) were associated with MVI.

Conclusions:

MVI greatly increases the risk of recurrence and death after LT for HCC, and is strongly associated with tumour size and AFP > 100.     

Variation in Inpatient Consultation Among Older Adults in the United States

BACKGROUND

Differences among hospitals in the use of inpatient consultation may contribute to variation in outcomes and costs for hospitalized patients, but basic epidemiologic data on consultations nationally are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study was to identify physician, hospital, and geographic factors that explain variation in rates of inpatient consultation.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective observational study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

This work included 3,118,080 admissions of Medicare patients to 4,501 U.S. hospitals in 2009 and 2010.

MAIN MEASURES

The primary outcome measured was number of consultations conducted during the hospitalization, summarized at the hospital level as the number of consultations per 1,000 Medicare admissions, or “consultation density.”

KEY RESULTS

Consultations occurred 2.6 times per admission on average. Among non-critical access hospitals, use of consultation varied 3.6-fold across quintiles of hospitals (933 versus 3,390 consultations per 1,000 admissions, lowest versus highest quintiles, p < 0.001). Sicker patients received greater intensity of consultation (rate ratio [RR] 1.18, 95 % CI 1.17–1.18 for patients admitted to ICU; and RR 1.19, 95 % CI 1.18–1.20 for patients who died). However, even after controlling for patient-level factors, hospital characteristics also predicted differences in rates of consultation. For example, hospital size (large versus small, RR 1.31, 95 % CI 1.25–1.37), rural location (rural versus urban, RR 0.78, CI 95 % 0.76–0.80), ownership status (public versus not-for-profit, RR 0.94, 95 % CI 0.91–0.97), and geographic quadrant (Northeast versus West, RR 1.17, 95 % CI 1.12–1.21) all influenced the intensity of consultation use.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospitals exhibit marked variation in the number of consultations per admission in ways not fully explained by patient characteristics. Hospital “consultation density” may constitute an important focus for monitoring resource use for hospitals or health systems.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11606-015-3216-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.KEY WORDS: consultation, hospital care, variation, medicare     

Pancreaticogastrostomy is associated with significantly less pancreatic fistula than pancreaticojejunostomy reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials

Objectives

This study aimed to compare pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) with pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

Methods

A literature search of PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for studies comparing PJ with PG after PD was conducted. The primary outcome for meta-analysis was pancreatic fistula. Secondary outcomes were morbidity, mortality, biliary fistula, intra-abdominal fluid collection, hospital length of stay (LoS), postoperative haemorrhage and reoperation. Outcome measures were odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Seven recent RCTs encompassing 1121 patients (559 PJ and 562 PG cases) were involved in this meta-analysis. Incidences of pancreatic fistula (10.6% versus 18.5%; OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.37–0.74; P = 0.0002), biliary fistula (2.3% versus 5.7%; OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.03–3.15; P = 0.03) and intra-abdominal fluid collection (8.0% versus 14.7%; OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.34–0.74; P = 0.0005) were significantly lower in the PG than the PJ group, as was hospital LoS (weighted mean difference: −1.85, 95% CI −3.23 to −0.47; P = 0.008). Subgroup analysis indicated that severe pancreatic fistula (grades B or C) occurred less frequently in the PG than the PJ group (8.3% versus 20.5%; OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.23–0.59; P < 0.00001). However, there was no significant difference in morbidity (48.9% versus 51.0%; OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.70–1.16; P = 0.41), mortality (3.2% versus 3.5%; OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.43–1.58; P = 0.56), delayed gastric emptying (16.6% versus 14.7%; relative risk: 1.02, 95% CI 0.62–1.68; P = 0.94), postoperative haemorrhage (9.6% versus 11.1%; OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.54–1.24; P = 0.35) or reoperation (9.9% versus 9.8%; OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.60–1.43; P = 0.73).

Conclusions

Pancreaticogastrostomy provides benefits over PJ after PD, including in the incidences of pancreatic fistula, biliary fistula and intra-abdominal fluid collection and in hospital LoS. Therefore, PG is recommended as a safer and more reasonable alternative to PJ reconstruction after PD.     

Obesity and blood pressure levels of adolescents in Abeokuta,Nigeria

Background

We determined the prevalence of general and central obesity and their relationship with blood pressure levels among adolescents in Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Methods

We selected 423 adolescents from seven schools in Abeokuta, Nigeria, using a multistage random-sampling technique. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and blood pressures were measured.

Results

Twenty-one (5%) children had general obesity and 109 (24.5%) had central obesity. Of those with general obesity, 20 (95.1%) children were centrally obese. With simple linear regression analysis, BMI and WC explained 10.7 and 8.4%, respectively of the variance in systolic blood pressure (SBP), and 3.6 and 2.7%, respectively of the variance in diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Following logistic regression analysis, BMI was the major factor determining SBP levels (OR 0.8, 95% CI: 0.65–0.99, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

BMI remains an important anthropometric screening tool for high blood pressure in Nigerian adolescents.     

Cardiovascular function and psychological distress in urbanised black South Africans: the SA BPA study

Objective

The increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in sub-Saharan Africa has increased the incidence of cardiovascular disease in this region but whether psychological distress contributes to this observed increased risk remains largely unclear.The aim of this study was to investigate the association between cardiovascular function and psychological distress in urbanised black South African men (n = 101) and women (n = 99).

Methods

Resting cardiovascular variables were obtained by making use of the Finometer device and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) measurements with the Cardiotens apparatus. Psychological questionnaires assessed the perception of health (General Health questionnaire) and depression status (DSM-IV criteria). The resting ECG (NORAV PC-1200) was used to determine left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) by making use of the Cornell product. Confounders included age, obesity, alcohol intake, smoking and physical activity.

Results

The hypertensive groups were overweight, with lower vascular compliance and higher LVH (only men) compared to the normotensive groups. In hypertensive men, perception of health (somatic symptoms) was positively associated with blood pressure, while in hypertensive women it was associated with heart rate. Major depression was associated with LVH in hypertensive men and mean arterial pressure in hypertensive women. LVH and depression showed odds ratios of 1.02 (95% CI: 0.997–1.05) and 1.15 (95% CI: 1.01–1.32), respectively, in predicting hypertension in women.

Conclusions

Psychological distress was associated with higher blood pressure in hypertensive African men but also with the development of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive African men and women.     

Corticosteroid therapy for primary treatment of Kawasaki disease – weight of evidence: a meta-analysis and systematic review of the literature

Objective

Corticosteroids are the treatment of choice in most forms of vasculitis. However, their role in the primary treatment of Kawasaki disease (KD) is controversial. Our aim was to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the clinical course and coronary artery outcome of adding corticosteroids to standard therapy [intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) + aspirin] in patients with acute KD.

Methods

We included randomised trials comparing the addition of corticosteroids to conventional primary therapy for Kawasaki disease.

Results

A total of four studies were identified, which included 447 patients. The meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction in re-treatments with IVIG in patients receiving corticosteroid plus standard therapy compared with standard therapy alone [odds ratio (OR) 0.48; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.24– 0.95]. There was however no significant reduction in the incidence of coronary artery aneurysms among patients who received corticosteroid therapy plus standard therapy, compared with standard therapy alone for either up to a month (OR 0.74; 95% CI: 0.23–2.40) or over one month ([OR 0.74; 95% CI: 0.37–1.51). Similarly no significant differences between treatment groups were noted in incidence of adverse events (OR 0.81; 95% CI: 0.05–0.88).

Conclusion

The inclusion of corticosteroids in regimens for the initial treatment of Kawasaki disease decreased rates of re-treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin. However the addition of corticosteroids to standard therapy did not decrease the incidence of coronary aneurysms or adverse events.     

Occurrence of Distal Colorectal Neoplasia Among Whites and Blacks Following Negative Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: An Analysis of PLCO Trial

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether the higher rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) among non-Hispanic blacks (blacks) is due to lower rates of CRC screening or greater biologic risk.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate whether blacks are more likely than non-Hispanic whites (whites) to develop distal colon neoplasia (adenoma and/or cancer) after negative flexible sigmoidoscopy (FSG).

DESIGN

We analyzed data of participants with negative FSGs at baseline in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) cancer screening trial who underwent repeat FSGs 3 or 5 years later. Subjects with polyps or masses were referred to their physicians for diagnostic colonoscopy. We collected and reviewed the records of diagnostic evaluations.

PARTICIPANTS

Our analytic cohort consisted of 21,550 whites and 975 blacks.

MAIN MEASURES

We did a comparison by race (whites vs. blacks) in the findings of polyps or masses at repeat FSG, the follow-up of abnormal test results and the detection of colorectal neoplasia at diagnostic colonoscopy.

KEY RESULTS

At the follow-up FSG examination, 304 blacks (31.2 %) and 4183 whites (19.4 %) had abnormal FSG, [adjusted relative risk (RR) = 1.00; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 0.90–1.10]. However, blacks were less likely to undergo diagnostic colonoscopy (76.6 % vs. 83.1 %; RR = 0.90; 95 % CI, 0.84–0.96). Among all included patients, blacks had similar risk of any distal adenoma (RR = 0.86; 95 % CI, 0.65–1.14) and distal advanced adenoma (RR = 1.01; 95 % CI, 0.60–1.68). Similar results were obtained when we restricted our analysis to compliant subjects who underwent diagnostic colonoscopy (RR = 1.01; 95 % CI, 0.80–1.29) for any distal adenoma and (RR = 1.18; 95 % CI, 0.73–1.92) for distal advanced adenoma.

CONCLUSIONS

We did not find any differences between blacks and whites in the risk of distal colorectal adenoma 3–5 years after negative FSG. However, follow-up evaluations were lower among blacks.KEY WORDS: PLCO, colorectal cancer disparities, adenomatous polyps, flexible sigmoidoscopy, screening     

Postoperative mortality and need for transitional care following liver resection for metastatic disease in elderly patients: a population-level analysis of 4026 patients

Objectives

The goal of this study was to characterize the association of age with postoperative mortality and need for transitional care following hepatectomy for liver metastases.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2005–2008) was performed. Patients undergoing hepatectomy for liver metastases were categorized by age as: Young (aged <65 years); Old (aged 65–74 years), and Oldest (aged ≥75 years). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality and need for transitional care (non-home discharge).

Results

A total of 4026 patients were identified; 36.6% (n = 1475) were elderly (aged ≥65 years). Rates of in-hospital mortality and non-home discharge increased with advancing age group [1.3% vs. 2.2% vs. 3.3% (P = 0.005) and 2.1% vs. 6.1% vs. 18.3% (P < 0.001), respectively]. Independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were age within the Oldest category [odds ratio (OR) 2.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19–4.12] and a Deyo Comorbidity Index score of ≥3 (OR 6.95, 95% CI 3.55–13.60). Independent predictors for need for transitional care were age within the Old group (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.66–3.58), age within the Oldest group (OR 8.48, 95% CI 5.87–12.24), a Deyo score of 1 (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.40–2.85), a Deyo score of 2 (OR 4.70, 95% CI 2.93–7.56), a Deyo score of ≥3 (OR 6.41, 95% CI 3.67–11.20), and female gender (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.15–2.11).

Conclusions

Although increasing age was associated with higher risk for in-hospital mortality, the absolute risk was low and within accepted ranges, and comorbidity was the primary driver of mortality. Conversely, need for transitional care was significantly more common in elderly patients. Therefore, liver resection for metastases is safe in well-selected elderly patients, although consideration should be made for potential transitional care needs.