Pharmacological Management of Obesity in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. A substantial proportion of patients with PCOS are either overweight or obese, and excess body weight aggravates the hormonal, reproductive and metabolic manifestations of PCOS. In recent years, several studies evaluated the role of various pharmacological agents in the management of obesity in this population. Most reports assessed glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and showed a substantial reduction in body weight. More limited data suggest that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors might also be effective in the management of obesity in these patients. In the present review, we discuss the current evidence on the safety and efficacy of these agents in overweight and obese patients with PCOS.

Strategies to achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol targets in high-risk patients

Several options exist in very-high risk patients who do not achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets despite treatment with atorvastatin 80 mg, including switching to rosuvastatin 40 mg, adding ezetimibe or adding a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor. Taking into account the safety, LDL-C lowering capacity, effect on cardiovascular events and cost of these available options, switching to rosuvastatin 40 mg appears to represent the most attractive strategy. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to confirm the effects of this strategy on LDL-C levels given the limited available data.

Clinical controversies in lipid management

Even though it is firmly established that statins are the cornerstone of management of dyslipidemias, several controversies still exist in this area. In the present review, the most pertinent controversies in lipid management are discussed and the current evidence is summarized. Treatment with statins increases the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) but this increase appears to be small and outweighed by the benefits of statins on cardiovascular disease prevention. Accordingly, statin treatment-associated T2DM should not affect management decisions. In patients who cannot achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets despite treatment with the maximum tolerated dose of a potent statin, adding ezetimibe appears to be the treatment of choice. Finally, patients who achieved LDL-C targets with a statin but have elevated triglyceride levels appear to have increased cardiovascular risk and adding fenofibrate appears to reduce this risk. Even though additional large randomized controlled trials are unlikely to be performed with the existing lipid-lowering agents, mechanistic, genetic and epidemiological studies, as well as careful analyses of the existing trials will provide further insights in these controversial issues and will allow the optimization of the management of dyslipidemia aiming at further reductions in cardiovascular morbidity.

Dopamine: A New Player in the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness. The pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy is multifactorial and incompletely understood. Accordingly, treatment options are limited. Recent data suggest that dopamine might play a role in the development and progression of DR. In the present review, we discuss these data and comment on the potential role of dopamine modulation in the management of this devastating microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus.

Exploring the correlation between triglyceride levels and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevalence in adults with familial hypercholesterolemia: Insights from a cross-sectional analysis in the HELLAS-FH registry

BACKGROUND

High triglyceride (TG) levels are associated with increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk in the general population. Yet, the role of TG in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) remains understudied. This research aims to evaluate the link between TG levels and ASCVD prevalence in adult patients with FH.

METHODS

This cross-sectional analysis, derived from the Hellenic Familial Hypercholesterolemia Registry (HELLAS-FH), involves categorizing patients into tertiles based on their TG concentrations.

RESULTS

In our study of 1772 adults with heterozygous FH (HeFH), aged 51 ± 15 years at registration and diagnosed at 44 ± 16 years, TG concentrations in the 1st (80 mg/dL), 2nd (124 mg/dL), and 3rd (200 mg/dL) tertiles revealed varying ASCVD prevalence (18.0%, 28.5% and 28.5%, respectively). Adjusted for ASCVD risk factors, TGs ≥116 mg/dL were linked to higher ASCVD risk than levels <116 mg/dL (OR: 1.37, 95% CI 1.05-1.80, P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

A notable association with ASCVD is evident in FH patients, even at relatively low TG levels, starting from 116 mg/dL (1.31 mmol/L).

Familial Hypercholesterolemia in the Elderly: An Analysis of Clinical Profile and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Burden from the Hellas-FH Registry

BACKGROUND

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) carries a high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). As the population ages, the age-related influence on clinical characteristics and outcomes becomes increasingly pertinent. This cross-sectional analysis from the HELLAS-FH registry aims to explore potential differences in clinical characteristics, treatment, ASCVD, and goal achievement between those younger and older than 65 years with FH.

RESULTS

A total of 2273 adults with heterozygous FH (51.4% males) were studied. Elderly FH patients (n = 349) had a higher prevalence of ASCVD risk factors, such as hypertension (52.1% vs. 20.9%, p < 0.05) and type 2 diabetes (16.9% vs. 6.0%, p < 0.05), compared to younger patients (n = 1924). They also had a higher prevalence of established ASCVD (38.4% vs. 23.1%, p < 0.001), particularly CAD (33.0% vs. 20.2%, p < 0.001), even after adjusting for major ASCVD risk factors. Elderly patients were more frequently and intensively receiving lipid-lowering treatment than younger ones. Although post-treatment LDL-C levels were lower in elderly than younger patients (125 vs. 146 mg/dL, p < 0.05), both groups had similar attainment of the LDL-C target (3.7% vs. 3.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly FH patients have a higher prevalence of ASCVD, particularly CAD. Despite more aggressive treatment, the achievement of LDL-C targets remains very poor. These results emphasize the importance of early FH diagnosis and treatment in reducing ASCVD.

Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 and -2: Emerging Targets in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects a substantial proportion of the general population and is even more prevalent in obese and diabetic patients. NAFLD, and particularly the more advanced manifestation of the disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), increases the risk for both liver-related and cardiovascular morbidity. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is complex and multifactorial, with many molecular pathways implicated. Emerging data suggest that microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 and -2 might participate in the development and progression of NAFLD. It also appears that targeting these enzymes might represent a novel therapeutic approach for NAFLD. In the present review, we discuss the association between microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 and -2 and NAFLD.

Enteral Nutrition Versus a Combination of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition in Critically Ill Adult Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis

Background/Objectives: Uncertainty persists about the best methods and timing for providing medical nutrition therapy (MNT) in the acute phase of critical illness. We conducted an overview of systematic reviews to examine and appraise the findings of the current systematic reviews and performed an updated meta-analysis incorporating newly published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to investigate whether enteral nutrition (EN) is superior to the combination of EN and parenteral nutrition (PN) in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: We systematically searched three databases to retrieve systematic reviews and RCTs. Two independent reviewers performed the screening, data extraction, and quality assessment processes. The random effects model was utilized to synthesize the data regarding primary and secondary outcomes. Results: There was no difference between the two interventions regarding the efficacy and safety endpoints, apart from the bloodstream infections, which were found to be increased in the group that received the combination of EN+PN (RR = 1.27, 95%CI = 1.03 to 1.56, PI = 0.91 to 1.77, I2 = 0%). Conclusions: According to the present overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, there was no observed benefit on mortality, length of ICU stay or hospitalization, and duration of mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients receiving a combination of EN and PN in comparison to those receiving sole enteral nutrition in the ICU. Furthermore, no difference was observed in the rates of respiratory infections as well as the appearance of adverse events, such as vomiting and diarrhea. On the other hand, there was an increase in bloodstream infection rates in patients who received EN+PN compared to EN alone. Due to the limited implications of the results in clinical practice, further research is needed.

Physical signs and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in familial hypercholesterolemia: the HELLAS-FH Registry

AIMS

Three physical signs, namely tendon xanthomas, corneal arcus and xanthelasma, have been associated with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (heFH). The prevalence and clinical significance of these signs are not well established among contemporary heFH individuals. This study explored the frequency as well as the association of these physical signs with prevalent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in heFH individuals.

METHODS

Data from the Hellenic Familial Hypercholesterolemia Registry were applied for this analysis. The diagnosis of heFH was based on the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Score. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the association of heFH-related physical signs with prevalent ASCVD.

RESULTS

Adult patients ( n  = 2156, mean age 50 ± 15 years, 47.7% women) were included in this analysis. Among them, 14.5% had at least one heFH-related physical sign present. The prevalence of corneal arcus before the age of 45 years was 6.6%, tendon xanthomas 5.3%, and xanthelasmas 5.8%. Among physical signs, only the presence of corneal arcus before the age of 45 years was independently associated with the presence of premature coronary artery disease (CAD). No association of any physical sign with total CAD, stroke or peripheral artery disease was found. Patients with physical signs were more likely to receive higher intensity statin therapy and dual lipid-lowering therapy, but only a minority reached optimal lipid targets.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of physical signs is relatively low in contemporary heFH patients. The presence of corneal arcus before the age of 45 years is independently associated with premature CAD.

The Predictive Role of the Triglyceride/Glucose Index in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia and Acute Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND

The triglyceride/glucose index (TyG) reflects insulin resistance and predicts the risk of acute ischemic stroke (aIS). However, it is uncertain if this index predicts the severity and outcome of aIS because studies that addressed this question are few and all were performed in Asian subjects. Moreover, there are no studies that focused on patients with hypercholesterolemia.

METHODS

We studied 997 Caucasian patients who were hospitalized for aIS and had hypercholesterolemia. aIS severity was assessed at admission with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and severe aIS was defined as NIHSS ≥ 21. The outcome was assessed with the functional outcome at discharge and with in-hospital mortality. An unfavorable functional outcome was defined as modified Rank in scale (mRs) at discharge between 3 and 6.

RESULTS

The TyG index did not correlate with the NIHSS at admission (r = 0.032, p = NS) and was similar in patients with severe and non-severe aIS (8.7 ± 0.6 and 8.6 ± 0.6, respectively; p = NS). Risk factors for severe aIS were age, female gender, atrial fibrillation (AF) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at admission. The TyG index also did not correlate with the mRs(r = 0.037, p = NS) and was similar in patients who had unfavorable and favorable functional outcome (8.7 ± 0.6 and 8.6 ± 0.5, respectively; p = NS). Risk factors for unfavorable functional outcome were age, previous ischemic stroke, body mass index and the NIHSS at admission. The TyG index was similar in patients who died during hospitalization and patients who were discharged (8.7 ± 0.6 and 8.7 ± 0.6, respectively; p = NS). Risk factors for in-hospital mortality were AF and DBP and NIHSS at admission.

CONCLUSIONS

The TyG index does not appear to be associated with the severity or the outcome of aIS. Nevertheless, since there are few relevant data in Caucasians and the TyG index is an inexpensive and widely available biomarker, more studies in this ethnic group are required to determine the predictive role of this index in patients with aIS.

The effect of lipid-lowering treatment on indices of MASLD in familial hypercholesterolemia patients

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The effect of lipid-lowering treatment (LLT) on metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is unclear. This is relevant for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) who are on lifelong LLT. We aimed to evaluate the effect of LLT on MASLD indices in this population.

METHODS

Patients with at least possible diagnosis of FH were included into the Hellenic FH Registry (HELLAS-FH) registry. We analyzed the effect of statin monotherapy, statin/ezetimibe and statin/ezetimibe/proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) on MASLD indices, i.e., original triglyceride-glucose index (TyGO) and triglyceride-glucose index (TyG). We compared changes of TyG and TyGO before any treatment and after at least one year of stable LLT.

RESULTS

We included 1289 patients: n = 569 in the statin monotherapy group (mean age = 51 ± 15 years, 52.7 % males), n = 629 in the statin/ezetimibe group (52 ± 14 years, 51.8 %), and n = 91 in the statin/ezetimibe/PCSK9i group (54 ± 13 years, 58.2 %). Compared with baseline, TyGO and TyG decreased significantly following statin monotherapy (8.61 vs 8.49 and 4.65 vs 4.59, respectively, both p < 0.01), statin/ezetimibe (8.59 vs 8.41 and 4.64 vs 4.55, respectively, both p < 0.01) and statin/ezetimibe/PCSK9i (8.79 vs 8.55 and 4.74 vs 4.62, respectively, both p < 0.01). There was no difference regarding the change of TyGO and TyG between groups after adjusting for baseline levels. A greater percentage of patients in the statin/ezetimibe and statin/ezetimibe/PCSK9i groups exhibited TyGO-defined MASLD resolution compared with statin monotherapy (p < 0.05). After adjustment for possible confounders, LLT was significantly associated with MASLD resolution.

CONCLUSIONS

MASLD indices were significantly improved in all LLT groups in FH patients. Statin/ezetimibe and statin/ezetimibe/PCSK9i were associated with greater TyGO-defined MASLD resolution compared with statin monotherapy.

Comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of ischemia-modified albumin and echocardiography in patients with acute chest pain

BACKGROUND

Several imaging tests and biomarkers have been proposed for the identification of patients with unstable angina among those presenting to the emergency department with acute chest pain. Preliminary data suggest that ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) may represent a potentially useful biomarker in these patients.

OBJECTIVE

To compare IMA and echocardiography in excluding unstable angina in patients with acute chest pain.

METHODS

Thirty-three patients (mean [± SD] age 59.8±10.8 years; 28 men) presenting to the emergency department with acute chest pain lasting <3 h suggestive of acute coronary syndrome, with normal or non-diagnostic electrocardiograms, and creatine kinase MB and troponin levels within the normal range, were included in the present study.

RESULTS

After further diagnostic evaluation, five patients (15.2%) were diagnosed with unstable angina. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive (NPV) value of echocardiography for diagnosing unstable angina was 60.0%, 89.3%, 50.0% and 92.6%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve for diagnosing unstable angina based on the serum IMA levels was 0.193 (95% CI 0.047 to 0.339; P<0.05). Based on ROC curve analysis, serum IMA levels ≥31.95 IU/mL yielded the optimal combination of sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing unstable angina. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and NPV of serum IMA levels ≥31.95 IU/mL for diagnosing unstable angina was 40.0%, 28.6%, 9.1% and 72.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Measurement of serum IMA levels appears to represent a useful tool for excluding unstable angina in patients presenting to the emergency department with acute chest pain. Moreover, IMA shows an NPV that is comparable with echocardiography.

EDITORIAL: No-Pharmacological Intervention: Pomegranate Juice for the Management of Hypertension and the Improvement of Cardiovascular Health

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