Clinical outcomes by race in hypertensive patients with and without the metabolic syndrome: Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT)

BACKGROUND: Antihypertensive drugs with favorable metabolic effects are advocated for first-line therapy in hypertensive patients with metabolic/cardiometabolic syndrome (MetS). We compared outcomes by race in hypertensive individuals with and without MetS treated with a thiazide-type diuretic (chlorthalidone), a calcium channel blocker (amlodipine besylate), an alpha-blocker (doxazosin mesylate), or an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (lisinopril). METHODS: A subgroup analysis of the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT), a randomized, double-blind hypertension treatment trial of 42 418 participants. We defined MetS as hypertension plus at least 2 of the following: fasting serum glucose level of at least 100 mg/dL, body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of at least 30, fasting triglyceride levels of at least 150 mg/dL, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of less than 40 mg/dL in men or less than 50 mg/dL in women. RESULTS: Significantly higher rates of heart failure were consistent across all treatment comparisons in those with MetS. Relative risks (RRs) were 1.50 (95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.90), 1.49 (1.17-1.90), and 1.88 (1.42-2.47) in black participants and 1.25 (1.06-1.47), 1.20 (1.01-1.41), and 1.82 (1.51-2.19) in nonblack participants for amlodipine, lisinopril, and doxazosin comparisons with chlorthalidone, respectively. Higher rates for combined cardiovascular disease were observed with lisinopril-chlorthalidone (RRs, 1.24 [1.09-1.40] and 1.10 [1.02-1.19], respectively) and doxazosin-chlorthalidone comparisons (RRs, 1.37 [1.19-1.58] and 1.18 [1.08-1.30], respectively) in black and nonblack participants with MetS. Higher rates of stroke were seen in black participants only (RR, 1.37 [1.07-1.76] for the lisinopril-chlorthalidone comparison, and RR, 1.49 [1.09-2.03] for the doxazosin-chlorthalidone comparison). Black patients with MetS also had higher rates of end-stage renal disease (RR, 1.70 [1.13-2.55]) with lisinopril compared with chlorthalidone. CONCLUSIONS: The ALLHAT findings fail to support the preference for calcium channel blockers, alpha-blockers, or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors compared with thiazide-type diuretics in patients with the MetS, despite their more favorable metabolic profiles. This was particularly true for black participants.     

Body mass index and healthcare costs: a systematic literature review of individual participant data studies

Excess weight is associated with increased total healthcare costs, but it is less well known how the associations between excess weight and costs vary across different types of healthcare service. We reviewed studies using individual participant data to estimate associations between body mass index and healthcare costs, and summarized how annual healthcare costs for overweight (body mass index 25 to <30 kg/m²) and obese (≥30 kg/m²) individuals compared with those for healthy weight individuals (18.5 to <25 kg/m²). EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched from January 1990 to September 2016, and 75 studies were included in the review. Of these, 34 studies presented adequate information to contribute to a quantitative summary of results. Compared with individuals at healthy weight, the median increases in mean total annual healthcare costs were 12% for overweight and 36% for obese individuals. The percentage increases in costs were highest for medications (18% for overweight and 68% for obese), followed by inpatient care (12% and 34%) and ambulatory care (4% and 26%). Percentage increases in costs associated with obesity were higher for women than men. The substantial costs associated with excess weight in different healthcare settings emphasize the need for investment to tackle this major public health problem.     

Predicting Long-Term Absence of Coronary Artery Calcium in Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes: The MESA Study

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to identify predictors of healthy arterial aging (long-term coronary artery calcification [CAC] of 0) among individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS) or type 2 diabetes (T2D), which may improve primary prevention strategies.BackgroundIndividuals with MetS or T2D have a heterogeneously increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and not all have a high-intermediate risk.MethodsWe included 574 participants from the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) with MetS or T2D who had CAC=0 at baseline and a repeat CAC scan 10 years later. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the association of traditional and novel atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factors and the MetS severity score (based on the 5 MetS criteria) with healthy arterial aging.ResultsThe mean age of participants was 58.9 years, 67% were women, 422 participants had MetS, and 152 had T2D. The proportion with long-term CAC=0 was similar for MetS (42%) and T2D (44%). A younger age was the only individual low/normal traditional risk factor associated with an increased likelihood of long-term CAC=0 (odds ratio [OR]: 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22 to 1.85 per 10-years younger). The strongest associations of nontraditional risk factors were observed for an absence of thoracic calcification (OR: 2.42; 95% CI: 1.24 to 4.72), absence of carotid plaque (OR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.25 to 2.61), and among persons with a high sensitivity troponin <3 ng/ml (OR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.38). In addition, persons with the lowest quartile MetS severity score had a substantially higher odds of healthy long-term CAC=0 (OR: 2.71; 95% CI: 1.27 to 5.76).ConclusionSMore than 40% of adults with MetS or T2D and baseline CAC=0 had long-term absence of CAC, which was most strongly associated with an absence of extracoronary atherosclerosis and a low MetS score. An optimal overall cardiovascular profile appears to be more important than an ideal value of any individual risk factor to maintain healthy arterial aging.     

中国心力衰竭流行病学调查及其患病率

目的　了解我国成年人慢性心力衰竭 (心衰 )的患病率和分布特征。方法　中国心血管健康多中心合作研究应用四阶段整群随机抽样方法 ,在全国 1 0个省市 (南方和北方各 5个省市 )抽取具有代表性的样本 ,年龄在 35～ 74岁之间 ,城市和农村各半 ,男、女人数均衡。统计不同年龄组、不同性别和不同地区人群的心衰患病率。结果　共抽样调查 35～ 74岁城乡居民 1 5 51 8人 ,心衰患病率为0 9% ;其中男性为 0 7% ,女性为 1 0 % ,女性患病率高于男性 (P <0 0 5)。 35～ 44岁、45～ 54岁、55～64岁、65～ 74岁年龄组的心衰患病率分别为 0 4%、1 0 %、1 3 %和 1 3 % ;随着年龄增高 ,心衰的患病率显著上升 (P <0 0 1 )。我国北方地区心衰患病率为 1 4% ,南方地区心衰患病率为 0 5 % ,北方明显高于南方 (P <0 0 1 ) ;城市人群心衰患病率为 1 1 % ,农村人群心衰患病率为 0 8% ,城市人群心衰患病率高于农村。结论　心衰正在成为我国心血管病领域的重要公共卫生问题     

Clinical events in high-risk hypertensive patients randomly assigned to calcium channel blocker versus angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in the antihypertensive and lipid-lowering treatment to prevent heart attack trial

The Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering treatment to prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT) provides a unique opportunity to compare the long-term relative safety and efficacy of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and calcium channel blocker-initiated therapy in older hypertensive individuals. Patients were randomized to amlodipine (n=9048) or lisinopril (n=9054). The primary outcome was combined fatal coronary heart disease or nonfatal myocardial infarction, analyzed by intention-to-treat. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, stroke, combined cardiovascular disease (CVD), end-stage renal disease (ESRD), cancer, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Mean follow-up was 4.9 years. Blood pressure control was similar in nonblacks, but not in blacks. No significant differences were found between treatment groups for the primary outcome, all-cause mortality, ESRD, or cancer. Stroke rates were higher on lisinopril in blacks (RR=1.51, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.86) but not in nonblacks (RR=1.07, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.28), and in women (RR=1.45, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.79), but not in men (RR=1.10, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.31). Rates of combined CVD were higher (RR=1.06, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.12) because of higher rates for strokes, peripheral arterial disease, and angina, which were partly offset by lower rates for heart failure (RR=0.87, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.96) on lisinopril compared with amlodipine. Gastrointestinal bleeds and angioedema were higher on lisinopril. Patients with and without baseline coronary heart disease showed similar outcome patterns. We conclude that in hypertensive patients, the risks for coronary events are similar, but for stroke, combined CVD, gastrointestinal bleeding, and angioedema are higher and for heart failure are lower for lisinopril-based compared with amlodipine-based therapy. Some, but not all, of these differences may be explained by less effective blood pressure control in the lisinopril arm.     

The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction in leptospirosis.

Three patients with leptospirosis whose condition worsened after initiation of antibiotic therapy are reported. Their clinical deterioration appeared to be due to the development of the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction rather than to progression of their underlying infection. Relevant aspects of the management of patients with leptospirosis are discussed.     

Association between the metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease in Chinese adults.

BACKGROUND: The metabolic syndrome is a common risk factor for cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Western populations. We examined the relationship between the metabolic syndrome and risk of CKD in Chinese adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a nationally representative sample of 15 160 Chinese adults aged 35-74 years. The metabolic syndrome was defined as the presence of three or more of the following risk factors: elevated blood pressure, low high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, high triglycerides, elevated plasma glucose and abdominal obesity. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate<60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and elevated serum creatinine was defined as >or=1.14 mg/dl in men and >or=0.97 mg/dl in women (>or=95th percentile of serum creatinine in Chinese men and women aged 35-44 years without hypertension or diabetes, respectively). RESULTS: The multivariate-adjusted odds ratios [95% confidence interval (CI)] of CKD and elevated serum creatinine in participants with compared to those without the metabolic syndrome were 1.64 (1.16, 2.32) and 1.36 (1.07, 1.73), respectively. Compared to participants without any components of the metabolic syndrome, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of CKD were 1.51 (1.02, 2.23), 1.50 (0.97, 2.32), 2.13 (1.30, 3.50) and 2.72 (1.50, 4.93) for those with 1, 2, 3, and 4 or 5 components, respectively. The corresponding multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of elevated serum creatinine were 1.11 (0.88, 1.40), 1.39 (1.07, 2.04), 1.47 (1.06, 2.04) and 2.00 (1.32, 3.03), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the metabolic syndrome might be an important risk factor for CKD in Chinese adults.     

Patient characteristics related to intensity of weight reduction care in a university medical clinic

Objective:To identify patient characteristics related to intensity of weight reduction care provided in a primary care practice. Design:Cross-sectional study linking data from a patient survey and data from medical records. Setting:Internal medicine housestaff clinic in an urban university hospital. Participants:321 outpatients who represented a systematic sample of all outpatients who had visited the clinic over one year. Measurements and main results:The patient population was largely black (86%) and female (65%). Most patients (54%) were overweight [body-mass index (BMI)>85th percentile for the United States by gender]. Intensity of care was defined by a composite scale: points were awarded for actions documented in the medical chart or recalled by the patient. Factors independently associated with a higher intensity of care among the 161 overweight patients were: BMI [odds ratio (OR)=1.13 per kg/m ²;95% confidence interval (95% CI)=1.04, 122; p=0.002], the patient’s self-perception of being overweight (OR=5.37; 95% CI=1.99, 14.46; p=0.001), and age of 64 years or younger (OR=2.48; 95% CI=1.12, 5.48; p=0.02). Race, gender, and presence of hypertension or hypercholesterolemia were not associated with greater intensity of care. Conclusions:Patients with hypertension and hypercholes-terolemia may be receiving suboptimal weight reduction care. Heightened awareness of being overweight may enbance the provision of weight reduction care. Prospective studies are required to confirm these findings. Received from the Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research, The Johns Hopkins Health Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland. Supported by the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Rockefeller Foundation Health of the Public Program. Computer analysis was supported by a grant from the National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health, General Clinical Research Centers 5M01RR00035.     

Assessing the Quality of Care Delivered to Transgender and Gender Diverse Patients with Cancer in Ireland: A Case Series

Introduction“Transgender” and “gender diverse” are umbrella terms encompassing those whose gender identities or expressions differ from those typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth. There is scant global information on cancer incidence, outcome, and mortality for this cohort. This group may present with advanced cancer, have mistrust in health care services and report anxiety and depression at higher frequencies, a finding often seen in marginalized groups because of minority stress.Materials and MethodsMedical oncologists were contacted by secure email to identify patients who self‐identify as transgender and gender diverse in three Irish hospitals. Five patients were identified. A retrospective chart review was conducted and a pseudonymized patient survey was distributed.ResultsAll patients included in our chart review (n = 5) were diagnosed with advanced disease on initial diagnosis. Two patients identified as men, two as women, and one as a transwoman. Two of five patients'' health record charts reflected a name or gender change. Three patients had gender transitioning treatment postponed. Assessing comorbidities, it was seen that four patients required psychiatry input. Predominant issues noted in our patient survey by the two respondents (n = 2) were “mis‐gendering,” lack of a gender‐neutral hospital environment, lack of inclusion in cancer groups, and barriers in changing name and/or sex on hospital records.ConclusionComponents of care requiring revision include patient accessible pathways to change names and gender on health records, earlier access to psychological support and targeted screening and support groups. Resources for hospital staff to improve awareness of correct terminology and to provide gender neutral facilities are worthwhile.Implications for PracticeThe implications for practice on an international level include patient‐friendly pathways for changing hospital name and gender so that patients may feel comfortable using wristbands. The need for international screening guidelines for transgender patients and national transgender cancer support groups is highlighted. On a day‐to‐day level for providers, the correct use of pronouns makes a big difference to patients. Asking about preferred pronoun on first visit and noting on patient''s file is worthwhile. It is important for providers to know that increased psychological support should be offered early on first clinic visit and engaged with as necessary when patient has a history of anxiety or depression. Providers should discuss openly that some gender transitioning treatment will be postponed because of cancer care and refer to both the physical and psychological sequelae of this. Asking transgender patients which room or bathroom they would prefer when rooms are gendered is essential.