Diabetes as a risk factor for acute coronary syndrome in women compared with men: a meta-analysis, including 10 856 279 individuals and 106 703 acute coronary syndrome events

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Modern Cinderella?

PURPOSE

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains a prominent global cause of mortality, with coronary artery disease representing its most prevalent manifestation. Recently, a novel class of antidiabetic medication, namely sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, has been reported to have remarkable cardiorenal advantages for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and they may reduce cardiorenal risk even in individuals without pre-existing DM. Currently, there is no evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of these drugs in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), regardless of diabetes status. This review aims to comprehensively present the available preclinical and clinical evidence regarding the potential role of SGLT2 inhibitors in the context of ACS, as adjuncts to standard-of-care treatment for this patient population, while also discussing potential short- and long-term cardiovascular benefits.

METHODS

A literature search was performed through MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus until February 26, 2024. Eligible were preclinical and clinical studies, comprising randomized controlled trials (RCTs), real-world studies, and meta-analyses.

FINDINGS

Evidence from preclinical models indicates that the use of SGLT2 inhibitors is associated with a blunted ischemia-reperfusion injury and decreased myocardial infarct size, particularly after prior treatment. Although RCTs and real-world data hint at a potential benefit in acute ischemic settings, showing improvements in left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, decongestion, and various cardiometabolic parameters such as glycemia,body weight, and blood pressure, the recently published DAPA-MI (Dapagliflozin in Myocardial Infarction without Diabetes or Heart Failure) trial did not establish a clear advantage regarding surrogate cardiovascular end points of interest. SGLT2 inhibitors appear to provide a benefit in reducing contrast-induced acute kidney injury events in patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. However, data on other safety concerns, such as treatment discontinuation because of hypotension, hypovolemia, or ketoacidosis, are currently limited.

IMPLICATIONS

Despite the well-established cardiovascular benefits observed in the general population with type 2 DM and, more recently, in other patient groups irrespective of diabetes status, existing evidence does not support the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in the context of ACS. Definitive answers to this intriguing research question, which could potentially expand the therapeutic indications of this novel drug class, require large-scale, well-designed RCTs.

Sex and age significantly modulate cardiovascular disease presentation in type 2 diabetes: a large population-based cohort study

Aims

We aimed to describe and compare the incidence of the first cardiovascular event and its major subtypes, coronary heart disease (CHD), cerebrovascular disease, heart failure (HF), or peripheral artery disease (PAD), according to age and sex in a population-based cohort of individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) from a Mediterranean region.

Material and methods

We used linked primary care electronic medical reports, pharmacy-invoicing data, and hospital admission disease registry records from the SIDIAP database, which contains linked data for 74% of the Catalonian population. We selected individuals with T2D aged 30 to 89 years free of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The primary outcome was the first presentation of CVD.

Results

The study cohort included 247,751 individuals (48.6% women, 66.8 ± 11.9 years). During a 6.99-year follow-up, the cumulative incidence of the first cardiovascular event was 23.4%. Men were at higher risk for CVD (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.47 95%CI: 1.45-1.50), CHD (HR: 1.52 95%CI: 1.47-1.57), cerebrovascular disease (HR:1.07 95%CI: 1.03-1.10) and PAD (HR: 2.30 95%CI: 2.21-2.39) than women but at a lower risk for HF (HR:0.70 95%CI: 0.68-0.73). CHD and PAD were the most frequent CVD presentations among men (28.1% and 27.5%) and HF (40.1%) in women. CHD predominated among young participants of both sexes, while HF predominated among women older than 65 and men older than 75.

Conclusions

In individuals with T2D, the overall risk and the type of first CVD manifestation largely varied by sex and age. This epidemiological evidence should be considered in clinical practice.

Sex differences in the association between insulin resistance and non-fatal myocardial infarction across glycaemic states

BACKGROUND

Females are generally less prone to cardiovascular (CV) events than males, but this protection is trumped by diabetes. The mechanism behind the increased relative risk in females with diabetes is not fully understood. Insulin resistance (IR) is suggested to be a more important contributor to CV morbidity in females than in males. We aim to investigate differences in the association between IR indexes (Homeostatic Model Assessment of IR - HOMA-IR, visceral adiposity index - VAI, and triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol - TG/HDL-C index), and a first non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) across different glycaemic states.

METHODS

IR indexes were calculated in a population with (n = 696) and without (n = 707) a first non-fatal MI, free from known diabetes. MI cases were investigated at least six weeks after the event. All participants were categorized by an oral glucose tolerance test as having normal glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or newly diagnosed diabetes. Comparison of proportion of glycaemic states by sex was tested by chi-square test. The associations between sex, a first non-fatal MI, IR indexes, and traditional CV risk factors were analysed by multivariate logistic regression models. Continuous variables were logarithmically transformed.

RESULTS

Of the total population 19% were females and 81% males, out of whom 47% and 50% had a first non-fatal MI, respectively. Compared with males, females were older, less often smokers, with lower body mass index and higher total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The proportion of glycaemic states did not differ between the sexes (p = 0.06). Females were less insulin resistant than males, especially among cases and with normal glucose tolerance. In logistic regression models adjusted for major CV risk factors including sex, the associations between VAI and TG/HDL-C index and a first non-fatal MI remained significant only in females (odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals: 1.7, 1.0-2.9, and 1.9, 1.1-3.4 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the assumption that IR indexes based on anthropometrics and lipid panel, i.e., VAI and TG/HDL-C, could be a better measure of IR and CV-predictor for non-fatal MI in females, even without glycaemic perturbations.

The Gamut of Coronary Artery Disease in Indian Women

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death among women. Majority of women suffering from CAD have one or more risk factors for CAD in their parents. Women are at higher risk for cardiac events with respect to traditional risk factors including dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking. Menopause, pregnancy complications, inflammation, anemia, migraines, and depression are important sex-specific novel risk factors for CVD, and it is important that clinicians should be aware of these risks to design strategies for prevention. Education, self-awareness in women, and timely recognition of CAD in women with lifestyle modifications and timely intervention result in better outcomes.

The Risk Factors of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Young Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been one of the leading causes of mortality in the world. Despite common understanding regarding ACS as an older population's or man's disease, the number of young women affected by this condition is increasing. Many studies have assessed the risk factors of ACS, but only a few studies focused on this subpopulation. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the risk factors predisposing to ACS in the young women population.

METHODS

Nine online databases were screened from the date of inception to September 2021, where the acquired studies were evaluated using the PRISMA statement. The inclusion criteria were a case control study with women age cut-off of <50 years. The risk factors of acute coronary syndrome were analyzed using a random-effect model, expressed as summary statistics of odds ratio (OR) for categorical variable and standard mean difference (SMD) for continuous data with normal distribution, with 95% confidence interval (CI). Quality assessment was conducted using the STROBE statement.

RESULTS

Seven studies with the total of 7042 patients met the inclusion criteria of this metaanalysis. Diabetes mellitus, high BMI, obesity, hypercholestrolemia, hypertension, smoking, and family history significantly increased acute coronary syndrome risk in young women. Other risks such as heavy alcohol consumption, oral contraceptive use, and postmenopausal state were associated with higher risk of ACS.

CONCLUSION

The independent risk factors which are strongly related to ACS in young women were diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia with odd ratios of 6.21, 5.32, and 4.07. Other risk factors which may be associated with an increased risk of ACS in young women were heavy alcohol consumption, oral contraceptive use, and postmenopausal state. Health promotion and effective intervention on this specific population regarding these risk factors can decrease young female cardiovascular morbidity and mortality as well as improved quality of life of women.

All-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in a Spanish nonagenarian cohort according to type 2 diabetes mellitus status and established cardiovascular disease

Background

Despite the progressive aging of the population in industrialized countries, few studies have focused on the natural history of cardiovascular disease in the very old, and recommendations on prevention of cardiovascular disease in this population are lacking. We aimed to analyze all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events according to prevalent type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease in nonagenarians from a Mediterranean population.

Methods

We analyzed the primary health records of all nonagenarians living in the Community of Madrid (N = 59,423) and collected data for 4 groups: Group 1, individuals without T2DM or established CVD (T2DM-, CVD-); Group 2, individuals without T2DM but with established CVD (T2DM-, CVD +); Group 3, individuals with T2DM but without established CVD (T2DM + , CVD-); and Group 4, individuals with both T2DM and established CVD (T2DM + , CVD +), taking into account the influence of sex on the outcomes. Follow-up was 2.5 years. The primary outcomes were cumulative incidence and incidence density rates for all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke (the first composite primary outcome [CPO1]), combined with heart failure (CPO2). We evaluated the adjusted effect of each group on all-cause mortality (Cox regression).

Results

Mean age was 93.3 ± 2.8 years (74.2% women). Hypertension, dyslipidemia, heart failure, albuminuria, and estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 were significantly more prevalent in G4 than in the other groups (all p values < 0.001). We observed significantly higher cumulative incidence rates for all-cause mortality, CPO1, and CPO2 in participants belonging to G4 (all p values ≤ 0.001). People in G2 presented higher rates of all-cause mortality, heart failure, CPO1, and CPO2 than people in G3 (all p values ≤ 0.001). In the fully adjusted model, G4 independently predicted all-cause mortality (HR = 1.48 [95% CI, 1.40 to 1.57] vs reference G1 [p < 0.01]). In addition, significant HRs were recorded for cardiovascular disease alone (G2) and type 2 diabetes mellitus alone (G3) (1.13 and 1.14, respectively; both p values < 0.01).

Conclusions

In Spanish nonagenarians, established cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus conferred a modest risk of all-cause mortality. However, the simultaneous presence of both conditions conferred the highest risk of all-cause mortality.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-02893-z.

Interaction between CETP Taq1B polymorphism and HEI, DQI and DPI on metabolic biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a multidimensional consequence of environmental and genetic factors. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) Taq1B polymorphism has been reported as a main predictor of dyslipidaemia, comprising an important complication in persons with T2DM. However, diet could affect T2DM patients metabolic health.

METHODS

We investigated the combination of gene-diet effects on some metabolic biomarkers. In our cross-sectional study, blood samples of 220 patients were collected. Dietary indices (healthy eating index, dietary quality index and dietary phytochemical index) were obtained from a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. CETP Taq1B polymorphism was genotyped by a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment polymorphism method. Data were analysed by analysis of covariance.

RESULTS

The interaction between the CETP Taq1B polymorphism and dietary indices on low density lipoprotein/high density lipoprotein was significant (p < 0.001 both crude and adjusted models). In addition, the interaction between polymorphism and dietary quality index on total antioxidant capacity (p = 0.004 crude model, p = 0.005 after adjusting) and pentraxin 3 (p = 0.01 both crude and adjusted models) was significant. Also, the interaction between polymorphism and healthy eating index on waist circumference (p = 0.005 both crude and adjusted models) and dietary phytochemical index on interleukin-18 (p = 0.03 crude model) was significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicated the effect of CETP Taq1B polymorphism on some inflammatory and anthropometrics markers (total antioxidant capacity, pentraxin 3, interleukin-18, low density lipoprotein/high density lipoprotein and waist circumference) with high and low adherence to dietary incides.

Association Between Subconjunctival Hemorrhage and Acute Coronary Syndrome: A 14-Year Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Purpose: Subconjunctival hemorrhage (SCH) is usually a benign ocular disorder that causes painless, redness under the conjunctiva. However, since SCH and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) share many vascular risk factors, studies have suggested that these two disorders may be significantly associated with each other, and evaluate the concomitance of ACS in patients with SCH.

Methods: This population-based cohort study, enrolled 35,260 Taiwanese patients, and used the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to identify patients with ACS and SCH. Outcomes were compared between the with and without SCH groups. The study population was followed until the date of ACS onset, the date of withdrawal, death, or December 31st 2013, whichever came first.

Results: Of the 85,925 patients identified with SCH between 1996 and 2013, 68,295 were excluded based on the study's exclusion criteria, and a total of 17,630 patients with SCH who were diagnosed by ophthalmologists between 2000 and 2012 were eligible for analysis. After 1:1 propensity score matching for 5-year age groups, gender, and the index year, the results showed that SCH was more common in the 40–59 age group (53.82%) and females (58.66%). As for the ACS-related risk factors, patients with diabetes mellitus (aHR = 1.58, 95% CI = [1.38, 1.81]), hypertension (aHR = 1.71, 95% CI = [1.49, 1.96]) and patients taking aspirin (aHR = 1.67, 95% CI = [1.47, 1.90]) had a notably higher risk of ACS. However, it was found that there were no significant differences in the occurrence of ACS between the non-SCH and SCH patients.

Conclusion: This results of this study regarding the risk factors and epidemiology of SCH and ACS were in keeping with previously reported findings. However, the results revealed no significant association between SCH and ACS.

Association of sex-specific differences in lipoprotein(a) concentrations with cardiovascular mortality in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background

Compared to individuals without type 2 diabetes mellitus, the relative increase in cardiovascular mortality is much higher in women than in men in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

We evaluated data from 7443 individuals (3792 women, 50.9%), aged 20 to 81 years, from two independent population-based investigations, SHIP-0 and MONICA/KORA S3. We analyzed the longitudinal sex-specific associations of lipoprotein(a) with cardiovascular mortality in individuals with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus using Cox regression.

Results

During a median follow-up of 20.5 years (136,802 person-years), 657 participants (404 men and 253 women) died of cardiovascular causes. Among individuals without type 2 diabetes mellitus, men had a significantly higher risk for cardiovascular mortality compared to women in unadjusted model and after adjustment. On the other hand, in participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the risk for cardiovascular mortality was not different between men and women in the unadjusted model and after adjustment for age, body mass index, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, fasting status and study sample (SHIP-0, MONICA/KORA S3). Further adjustment for lipoprotein(a) concentrations had no impact on the hazard ratio (HR) for cardiovascular mortality comparing men versus women in individuals without type 2 diabetes mellitus [HR: 1.94; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.63 to 2.32; p < 0.001]. In individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, however, further adjustment for lipoprotein(a) led to an increased risk for cardiovascular mortality in men and a decreased risk in women resulting in a statistically significant difference between men and women (HR: 1.53; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.24; p = 0.029).

Conclusions

Women are described to have a stronger relative increase in cardiovascular mortality than men when comparing individuals with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus. Higher lipoprotein(a) concentrations in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus than in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus might partially explain this finding.

Comparative evaluation of inflammatory parameters and substitute insulin resistance indices in elderly women with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE

To analyze the influence of inflammatory parameters and substitute insulin resistance indices on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) development in elderly women, as well as to compare anthropometric measures and metabolic parameters according to the presence of type 2 DM and HbA1c levels.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred and twenty elderly women (67.9 ± 6.0 years) were submitted to anthropometric analysis, determination of inflammatory and metabolic parameters. They also underwent indices of lipid accumulation product (LAP), high density triglyceride/lipoprotein ratio (TG/HDL), triglyceride glucose index (TyG), as well as TyG by body mass index (BMI) ratio (TyG-BMI) assessment.

RESULTS

Body mass index, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-2, blood glucose, TG, LAP, TG/HDL, TyG and TyG-BMI were significantly higher in elderly women with DM compared to non-diabetic women. LAP ≥ 55.4 (OR = 2.29; P = .027); TyG ≥ 8.8 (OR = 3.52; P < .001) and TyG-BMI ≥ 264.8 (OR = 3.54; P = .001) were identified as risk factors for DM.

CONCLUSION

High pro-inflammatory parameters, low levels of anti-inflammatory markers and higher levels of substitute insulin resistance indices are risk predictors for DM development in elderly women in primary health care.

Are there sex differences in the effect of type 2 diabetes in the incidence and outcomes of myocardial infarction? A matched-pair analysis using hospital discharge data

BACKGROUND

To analyze incidence, use of therapeutic procedures, and in-hospital outcomes in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) according to the presence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Spain (2016-2018) and to investigate sex differences.

METHODS

Using the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database, we estimated the incidence of myocardial infarctions (MI) in men and women with and without T2DM aged ≥ 40 years. We analyzed comorbidity, procedures, and outcomes. We matched each man and woman with T2DM with a non-T2DM man and woman of identical age, MI code, and year of hospitalization. Propensity score matching was used to compare men and women with T2DM.

RESULTS

MI was coded in 109,759 men and 44,589 women (30.47% with T2DM). The adjusted incidence of STEMI (IRR 2.32; 95% CI 2.28-2.36) and NSTEMI (IRR 2.91; 95% CI 2.88-2.94) was higher in T2DM than non-T2DM patients, with higher IRRs for NSTEMI in both sexes. The incidence of STEMI and NSTEMI was higher in men with T2DM than in women with T2DM. After matching, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was less frequent among T2DM men than non-T2DM men who had STEMI and NSTEMI. Women with T2DM and STEMI less frequently had a code for PCI that matched that of non-T2DM women. In-hospital mortality (IHM) was higher among T2DM women with STEMI and NSTEMI than in matched non-T2DM women. In men, IHM was higher only for NSTEMI. Propensity score matching showed higher use of PCI and coronary artery bypass graft and lower IHM among men with T2DM than women with T2DM for both STEMI and NSTEMI.

CONCLUSIONS

T2DM is associated with a higher incidence of STEMI and NSTEMI in both sexes. Men with T2DM had higher incidence rates of STEMI and NSTEMI than women with T2DM. Having T2DM increased the risk of IHM after STEMI and NSTEMI among women and among men only for NSTEMI. PCI appears to be less frequently used in T2DM patients After STEMI and NSTEMI, women with T2DM less frequently undergo revascularization procedures and have a higher mortality risk than T2DM men.

Sex-specific differences in left ventricular mass and myocardial energetic efficiency in non-diabetic, pre-diabetic and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic subjects

Background

Women with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) have a higher excess risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) than their male counterparts. However, whether the risk for CVD is higher in prediabetic women than men is still debated. We aimed to determine whether sex-related differences exist in left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and myocardial mechano-energetic efficiency (MEEi) in with normal glucose tolerant (NGT), pre-diabetic and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic subjects.

Methods

Sex-related differences in LVMI and myocardial MEEi, assessed by validated echocardiography-derived measures, were examined among 1562 adults with NGT, prediabetes, and newly diagnosed T2DM, defined according to fasting glucose, 2-h post-load glucose, or HbA1c.

Results

Worsening of glucose tolerance in both men and women was associated with an increase in age-adjusted LVMI and myocardial MEEi. Women with newly diagnosed T2DM exhibited greater relative differences in LVMI and myocardial MEEi than diabetic men when compared with their NGT counterparts. Prediabetic women exhibited greater relative differences in myocardial MEEi, but not in LVMI, than prediabetic men when compared with their NGT counterparts. The statistical test for interaction between sex and glucose tolerance on both LVMI (P < 0.0001), and myocardial MEEi (P < 0.0001) was significant suggesting a sex-specific association.

Conclusions

Left ventricle is subject to maladaptive changes with worsening of glucose tolerance, especially in women with newly diagnosed T2DM. The sex-specific increase in LVM and decrease in MEEi, both being predictors of CVD, may have a role in explaining the stronger impact of T2DM on the excess risk of CVD in women than in men.

The use of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as a predictor of the severity of acute coronary syndrome among diabetic patients

BACKGROUND

Acute myocardial infarction in patients with type two diabetes mellitus is usually present with multiple vessel lesions during coronary angiography. The underlying mechanism remains unexplored, and there is a deficiency of serum predictive markers. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), which is a critical measure of glycemic control, could be used as a reliable predictor of the severity of ACS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a prospective descriptive comparative hospital-based study measured the correlation between levels of HbA1c and the severity of ACS using the modified Gensini score (MGS). A total of 85 patients were enrolled in this study in the period between September and November 2019. The MGS depends on the number of vessels which are stenosed with the degree of stenosis more than 50% of their lumen. Data was analyzed using SPSS V. 2018. Chi-square test was used.

RESULTS

The total number of enrolled patients was 85. Dyslipidemia was found among 63 (74.1%) patients, and 52 (69.4%) of the patients were noted to have hypertension. A total of 19 (22.4%) patients were smokers. About 59 (69.4%) patients had a family history of IHD, and 22 patients (25.9%) had a history of IHD. STEMI was the main ECG finding 54 (63.5%). Modified Gensini score depicted that 32 (35.29%) had mild acute coronary syndrome, 23(27.06%) had moderate, and 30 (37.65%) had severe acute coronary syndrome. HbA1c was significantly positively correlated with the severity of ACS among diabetic patients (P value = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

In diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome, HbA1c levels can be used as a predictor for the severity of CAD.

Sex differences in cardiovascular risk factors before and after the development of type 2 diabetes and risk for incident cardiovascular disease

AIMS

To assess sex differences in cardiovascular (CVD) risk factor changes before and after the development of type 2 diabetes, and, the association between incident diabetes with incident CVD in mid-life.

METHODS

We included 4893 Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study participants, age 18-30 years at enrollment (1985-86). We ascertained incident diabetes and assessed sex differences in annual change in body mass index, blood pressure, and lipids before and after the ascertainment of diabetes using piecewise linear regression. We examined sex differences in the association between incident diabetes with incident CVD over 31 years of median follow-up.

RESULTS

Progression in most CVD risk factors did not differ by sex before diabetes. Women had better CVD profiles at the time of diabetes compared to men, and after diabetes, women had worse annual changes in blood pressure and lipids. Incident diabetes was associated with a higher hazard for incident CVD (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 1.45, 95% confidence limits: 1.07, 1.96) and we did not observe effect modification by sex (p for interaction = 0.8).

CONCLUSIONS

CVD risk factors worsened more rapidly after the development of type 2 diabetes for women than men. However, diabetes was not a stronger risk factor for incident CVD for women than men.

Clinical Presentation, Quality of Care, Risk Factors and Outcomes in Women with Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI): An Observational Report from Six Middle Eastern Countries

BACKGROUND

Most of the available literature on ST-Elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) in women was conducted in the developed world and data from Middle-East countries was limited.

AIMS

To examine the clinical presentation, patient management, quality of care, risk factors and inhospital outcomes of women with acute STEMI compared with men using data from a large STEMI registry from the Middle East.

METHODS

Data were derived from the third Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events (Gulf RACE-3Ps), a prospective, multinational study of adults with acute STEMI from 36 hospitals in 6 Middle-Eastern countries. The study included 2928 patients; 296 women (10.1%) and 2632 men (89.9%). Clinical presentations, management and in-hospital outcomes were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

Women were 10 years older and more likely to have diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia compared with men who were more likely to be smokers (all p<0.001). Women had longer median symptom-onset to emergency department (ED) arrival times (230 vs. 170 min, p<0.001) and ED to diagnostic ECG (8 vs. 6 min., p<0.001). When primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) was performed, women had longer door-to-balloon time (DBT) (86 vs. 73 min., p=0.009). When thrombolytic therapy was not administered, women were less likely to receive PPCI (69.7 vs. 76.7%, p=0.036). The mean duration of hospital stay was longer in women (6.03 ± 22.51 vs. 3.41 ± 19.45 days, p=0.032) and the crude in-hospital mortality rate was higher in women (10.4 vs. 5.2%, p<0.001). However, after adjustments, multivariate analysis revealed a statistically non-significant trend of higher inhospital mortality among women than men (6.4 vs. 4.6%), (p=0.145).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates that women in our region have almost double the mortality from STEMI compared with men. Although this can partially be explained by older age and higher risk profiles in women, however, correction of identified gaps in quality of care should be attempted to reduce the high morbidity and mortality of STEMI in our women.

Reprint of: Blood Sugar Regulation for Cardiovascular Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: JACC Health Promotion Series

The primary objective of this study was to analyze the most up-to-date evidence regarding whether and how blood sugar regulation influences cardiovascular health promotion and disease prevention by carrying out an umbrella review. Three separate, systematic literature searches identified 2,343 papers in total. Overall, 44 studies were included for data extraction and analysis. The included systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2017, were of good to very good quality (median Overview Quality Assessment Questionnaire score = 17). Identified evidence suggests that cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention services should consider regulation of blood glucose as a key target for intervention. Furthermore, the recommendations for effective intervention and service development/training described here for prevention of CVD should be adopted into evidence-based practice guidelines. Multidisciplinary teams should be formed to deliver multicomponent interventions in community-based settings. There may be substantial opportunities for integrating CVD and diabetes prevention services.

Blood Sugar Regulation for Cardiovascular Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: JACC Health Promotion Series

The primary objective of this study was to analyze the most up-to-date evidence regarding whether and how blood sugar regulation influences cardiovascular health promotion and disease prevention by carrying out an umbrella review. Three separate, systematic literature searches identified 2,343 papers in total. Overall, 44 studies were included for data extraction and analysis. The included systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2017, were of good to very good quality (median Overview Quality Assessment Questionnaire score = 17). Identified evidence suggests that cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention services should consider regulation of blood glucose as a key target for intervention. Furthermore, the recommendations for effective intervention and service development/training described here for prevention of CVD should be adopted into evidence-based practice guidelines. Multidisciplinary teams should be formed to deliver multicomponent interventions in community-based settings. There may be substantial opportunities for integrating CVD and diabetes prevention services.

Sex-specific risk factors for cardiovascular disease in women-making cardiovascular disease real

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Sex-specific differences in pathophysiology, prevalence, and impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors may explain the high cardiovascular mortality rates in women.

RECENT FINDINGS

We review the sex differences in traditional risk factors (dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking) and nontraditional risk factors (menopause and hormones, pregnancy, inflammation and autoimmune diseases, anemia, depression, and migraines) and their prognostic and therapeutic implications.

SUMMARY

Recent research indicates that with respect to traditional risk factors such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, women appear to have a similar risk of CVD when compared to men. The risk is accelerated after menopause, possibly because of vascular and lipid profile changes. Pregnancy offers a unique opportunity and window to screen otherwise healthy women who may be at an increased risk of CVD in the future. Clinicians should be aware of other novel risk factors including inflammation, anemia, migraines, and depression, and further studies are warranted in order to identify therapeutic implications for these conditions and CVD risk.

Diet quality trends among adults with diabetes by socioeconomic status in the U.S.: 1999-2014

BACKGROUND

The diet quality of adults living in the United States has improved overtime. We aim to determine whether diet quality among adults with diabetes mellitus has changed over time, and to examine trends in socioeconomic disparities in diet quality.

METHODS

Repeated cross-sectional analysis of eight National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles (1999-2000 through 2013-2014). We included 5882 adult participants (age 20 or older) with diabetes mellitus (type 1 or 2) who completed 24-h dietary recalls. Diet quality was measured by the Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI) score (range 0-100, higher scores indicate better diet quality). We tested whether there were differences in diet quality across education, income, and food security categories, and whether any differences changed over time, using weighted linear regression models accounting for the complex survey design and adjusted for age, gender, and race/ethnicity.

RESULTS

Twenty nine percent of US adults with diabetes had less than a high school diploma, 17% had income < 100% of federal poverty level, and 15% reported food insecurity. Average adjusted HEI score increased from 49.4 to 52.4 over the study period (p for trend = 0.003). We observed differences in HEI between high and low education (4.1, 95% CI 3.0-5.3), high and low income (3.7, 95%CI 2.4-5.0) and food secure relative to food insecure (2.1, 95% CI 0.8-3.3). These differences did not improve over time for education (p = 0.56), income (p = 0.65) or food security (p = 0.39) categories.

CONCLUSIONS

Diet quality for adults with diabetes in the U.S. has improved overall; however, substantial disparities exist and have not improved. A concerted effort to improve diet quality in vulnerable groups may be needed.

Cardiovascular Disease in Type 2 Diabetes: A Review of Sex-Related Differences in Predisposition and Prevention

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, compiled data suggest that type 2 diabetes affects the risk of cardiovascular disease differentially according to sex. In recent years, large meta-analyses have confirmed that women with type 2 diabetes have a higher relative risk of incident coronary heart disease, fatal coronary heart disease, and stroke compared with their male counterparts. The reasons for these disparities are not completely elucidated. A greater burden of cardiometabolic risk in women was proposed as a partial explanation. Indeed, several studies suggest that women experience a larger deterioration in major cardiovascular risk factors and put on more weight than do men during their transition from normoglycemia to overt type 2 diabetes. This excess weight is associated with higher levels of biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and procoagulant state. Moreover, sex differences in the prescription and use of some cardiovascular drugs may compound an "existing" disparity. We searched PubMed for articles published in English and French, by using the following terms: ("cardiovascular diseases") AND ("diabetes mellitus") AND ("sex disparity" OR "sex differences" OR "sex related differences" OR "sex-related differences" OR "sex disparities"). In this article, we review the available literature on the sex aspects of primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in people with type 2 diabetes, in the predisposition to cardiovascular disease in those people, and in the control of diabetes and associated cardiovascular risk factors.

Baseline Serum Uric Acid Levels Are Associated with All-Cause Mortality in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background

Whether serum uric acid (UA) is associated with all-cause mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 2296 patients with ACS. Curve-fitting and Cox proportional-hazard regression models with a hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used.

Results

During a mean follow-up of 246.31 ± 49.16 days, 168 (7.32%) patients died from all causes. Patients were divided into two groups [the high-UA group (n = 566) and the low-UA group (n = 1730)] based on the serum UA threshold value (5.6 mg/dl) identified through curve fitting. Fifty-three (9.36%) patients died in the high-UA group, and 115 (6.65%) patients died in the low-UA group. The difference between groups was statistically significant (P = 0.031). Univariate analysis showed that the risk of all-cause mortality in the high-UA group was significantly greater than that in the low-UA group (HR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.03 to 2.04). This difference persisted after adjustment for baseline characteristics, medical history, and medication history (HR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.87).

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that elevated serum UA (>5.6 mg/dl) is associated with all-cause mortality in ASC patients after PCI.