International SF-36 reference values in patients with ischemic heart disease

Predictors of Health-Related Quality of Life Among Women Participating in an Appointment-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

BACKGROUND

An alternative patient-centered appointment-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program has led to significant improvements in health outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease. However, less is known about the effects of this approach on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), particularly for women.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the effects of a patient-centered appointment-based CR program on HRQoL by sex and examined predictors of HRQoL improvements specifically for women.

METHODS

Data were used from an urban single-center CR program at Yale New Haven Health (2012-2017). We collected information on patient demographics, socioeconomic status, and clinical characteristics. The Outcome Short-Form General Health Survey (SF-36) was used to measure HRQoL. We evaluated sex differences in SF-36 scores using t tests and used a multivariate linear regression model to examine predictors of improvements in HRQoL (total SF-36 score) for women.

RESULTS

A total of 1530 patients with cardiovascular disease (23.7% women, 4.8% Black; mean age, 64 ± 10.8 years) were enrolled in the CR program. Women were more likely to be older, Black, and separated, divorced, or widowed. Although women had lower total SF-36 scores on CR entry, there was no statistically significant difference in CR adherence or total SF-36 score improvements between sexes. Women who were employed and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were more likely to have improvements in total SF-36 scores.

CONCLUSION

Both men and women participating in an appointment-based CR program achieved significant improvements in HRQoL. This approach could be a viable alternative to conventional CR to optimize secondary outcomes for patients.

Health-related quality of life after burn injury due to bioethanol-fueled fireplaces

OBJECTIVE

Commercially available bioethanol-fueled fireplaces are a potential source of burns and are commonly used for home use. The present study aimed to evaluate the quality of life following burn injuries that were caused by bioethanol-related accidents.

METHODS

Burned patients who were admitted to our burn unit with burn injury due to bio-ethanol fueled fire places between January 2010 and December 2021 were contacted to ask for their willingness to participate in this study. They were asked to answer questions regarding the circumstances of the accident and three questionnaires to capture burn specific and general health related quality of life (Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B), Short-Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36)) and general information about the accident. Patients were matched and compared to a group of patients suffering comparable burns from other burn mechanisms, which were also admitted to our burn unit at the same time.

RESULTS

Of 35 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 19 answered the questionnaire and were compared to 38 patients with other burn mechanisms. There were no statistical differences regarding age (bioethanol: 37.4 ± 14.7 years vs. control: 36.2 ± 14.3 years, p = 0.777), TBSA (9.9 ± 6.8% vs. 8.9 ± 10.4, p = 0.715), and sex (42.1% females vs. 36.8% females, p = 0.882). Most patients in the bioethanol-group reported that they did not follow the manual instructions (68.4%) and that the accident happened during the refilling process (52.6%). There was no significant difference in any subscale of the BSHS-B or the SF-36.

DISCUSSION

Burns related to bioethanol-fueled fireplaces are rare compared to other typical burn mechanisms. However, as they are used for personal pleasure and interior design, psychological impairment following burn may be even more critical. Detailed education on the use of these fireplaces needs to take place in order to reduce the risk of accidents.

Health-related quality of life (hrQoL) among patients with primary cicatricial alopecia (PCA): A systematic review

Cicatricial alopecia may lead to an enormous emotional burden, social distress, and psychological impairment affecting the quality of life. The objective of this review is to systematically describe the health-related quality of life in adults with primary cicatricial alopecia and its subtypes. Studies that (i) reported quality of life in patients with primary cicatricial alopecia or its subtypes; (ii) were original research and not a conference abstract or review (iii) with patients >18 years of age were included in the review. The studies not mentioning quality of life specifically for the cicatricial alopecia cohort were excluded. We searched for literature via OVID in Medline and Embase, in Web of Science, CINAHL, EBSCO (APA PsycArticles, APA PsycInfo, and PSYNDEX Literature), in the Cochrane Library and for grey literature from its inception date till 12 November 2022. The risk of bias was assessed by using the AXIS tool for cross-sectional studies by two independent authors. Thirteen observational cross-sectional and one single-arm study, including 572 patients and eight different instruments, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Results are descriptively synthesized, and associated factors of quality of life are presented. The data from studies that used the Dermatology Life Quality Index tool (DLQI) showed that more than 70% of the patients have an impaired life quality. While trichodynia and anxiety have a negative effect on the quality of life, disease duration, education, employment, and marital status have no effect. The findings were inconsistent for other factors. Most of these studies failed to justify the sample size. Furthermore, the risk of bias assessment could not surely rule out a non-response bias. Our results suggest that cicatricial alopecia treatments must be integrated with psychosocial intervention and indicate the need for further research with homogenous and more comprehensive tools to identify and address this patient population's unmet mental health needs.

Breathing pattern and pulmonary gas exchange in elderly patients with and without left ventricular dysfunction-modification with exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation and prognostic value

Background

Inefficient ventilation is an established prognostic marker in patients with heart failure. It is not known whether inefficient ventilation is also linked to poor prognosis in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) but without overt heart failure.

Objectives

To investigate whether inefficient ventilation in elderly patients with LVD is more common than in patients without LVD, whether it improves with exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (exCR), and whether it is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Methods

In this large multicentre observational longitudinal study, patients aged ≥65 years with acute or chronic coronary syndromes (ACS, CCS) without cardiac surgery who participated in a study on the effectiveness of exCR in seven European countries were included. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed before, at the termination of exCR, and at 12 months follow-up. Ventilation (VE), breathing frequency (BF), tidal volume (VT), and end-expiratory carbon dioxide pressure (PETCO2) were measured at rest, at the first ventilatory threshold, and at peak exercise. Ventilatory parameters were compared between patients with and without LVD (based on cardio-echography) and related to MACE at 12 month follow-up.

Results

In 818 patients, age was 72.5 ± 5.4 years, 21.9% were women, 79.8% had ACS, and 151 (18%) had LVD. Compared to noLVD, in LVD resting VE was increased by 8%, resting BF by 6%, peak VE, peak VT, and peak PETCO2 reduced by 6%, 8%, and 5%, respectively, and VE/VCO2 slope increased by 11%. From before to after exCR, resting VE decreased and peak PETCO2 increased significantly more in patients with compared to without LVD. In LVD, higher resting BF, higher nadir VE/VCO2, and lower peak PETCO2 at baseline were associated with MACE.

Conclusions

Similarly to patients with HF, in elderly patients with ischemic LVD, inefficient resting and exercise ventilation was associated with worse outcomes, and ExCR alleviated abnormal breathing patterns and gas exchange parameters.

Feasibility of Integrating MEditatioN inTO heaRt Disease (the MENTOR Study): A Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Comorbid depression and/or anxiety symptoms occur in 25% of patients attending cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs and are associated with poorer prognosis. There is a need to evaluate psychological interventions, including meditation, that have potential to improve psychological health in CR programs.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and acceptability of integrating a meditation intervention into an existing Australian CR program for the reduction of depression and anxiety symptoms.

METHODS

This was a mixed-methods feasibility randomized controlled trial. Thirty-one patients with CVD and, at a minimum, mild depression and/or anxiety symptoms were randomized to meditation and standard CR or to standard CR alone. A 16-minute guided group meditation was delivered face-to-face once a week for 6 weeks, with daily self-guided meditation practice between sessions. Feasibility outcomes included screening, recruitment, and retention. Semistructured interviews of patients' (n = 10) and health professionals' (n = 18) perspectives of intervention participation and delivery were undertaken to assess acceptability. Between-group differences in depression, anxiety, stress, self-efficacy for mindfulness, and health status at 6 and 12 weeks were also assessed.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Meditation was considered feasible, with 83% (12/15) of the intervention group completing an average of 3.13 (SD, 2.56) out of 6 group meditation sessions and 5.28 (SD, 8.50) self-guided sessions. Meditation was considered acceptable by patients, clinicians, and health managers. Between-group differences in the number of CR sessions completed favored the intervention group in per-protocol analyses (intervention group vs control group, 12 vs 9 sessions; P = .014), which suggests that meditation may be useful to improve patients' adherence to exercise-based CR program.

Patient-Centred Outcomes after Totally Endoscopic Cardiac Surgery: One-Year Follow-Up

Patient-centred outcomes have grown in popularity over recent years in surgical care research. These patient-centred outcomes can be measured through the health-related quality of life (HRQL) without professional interpretations. In May 2022, a study regarding patient-centred outcomes up to 90 days postoperatively was published. Fourteen days after surgery, the HRQL decreased and returned to baseline levels after 30 days. Next, the HRQL significantly improved 90 days postoperatively. However, this study only focuses on a short-term follow-up of the patients. Hence, this follow-up study aims to assess the HRQL one year after totally endoscopic cardiac surgery. At baseline, 14, 30, and 90 days, and one year after surgery, the HRQL was evaluated using a 36-item short form and 5-dimensional European QoL questionnaires (EQ-5D). Using the 36-item short form questionnaire, a physical and mental component score is calculated. Over the period of one year, this physical and mental component score and the EQ-5D index value significantly improve. According to the visual analogue scale of the EQ-5D, patients score their health significantly higher one year postoperatively. In conclusion, after endoscopic cardiac surgery, the HRQL is significantly improved 90 days postoperatively and remains high one year afterward.

Long-term survival, functional capacity and quality of life after refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest treated with mechanical circulatory support

Introduction

Studies on long-term outcomes after refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) treated with mechanical circulatory support (MCS) are limited. This study aimed to evaluate long-term neurologically intact survival, functional capacity and quality of life after refractory OHCA treated with MCS.

Methods

This was a follow-up study of survivors after refractory OHCA treated with MCS. Follow-up examinations comprised clinical assessment with transthoracic echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX). Neurological and cognitive screening was evaluated with the Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA test). A good neurological outcome was defined as CPC 1 or CPC 2. Health-related quality of life was measured by questionnaires (Short Form-36 (SF-36)).

Results

A total of 101 patients with refractory OHCA were treated with MCS at Aarhus University Hospital between 2015 and 2019. The total low-flow time was median 105 min [IQR, 94-123] minutes. The hospital discharge rate was 27%. At a mean follow-up time of 4.8 years ± 1.6 (range 2.8-6.1 years), 21 patients remained alive of whom 15 consented to participate in the present study. Good neurological outcome with CPC 1-2 was found in 93% (14/15) patients. No severe cognitive function was discovered; mean MoCA score of 26.4 ± 3.1. Functional capacity examined by CPX showed acceptable VO2 max values (23.9 ± 6.3 mL/kg/min). Mean SF-36 scores revealed an overall high level of quality of life in long-term survivors.

Conclusions

Long-term survival with a good neurological outcome with functional recovery was high in patients with refractory OHCA treated with MCS. These patients may expect a reasonable quality of life after discharge despite prolonged resuscitation.

Health Related Quality of Life and Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is associated with deteriorating of quality of life (QOL) and exercise capacity (EC) but less is known on how EC interplays with QOL. The present study explores the relationship between quality of life and cardiovascular risk factors in people who present in cardiology clinics. A total of 153 adult presentations completed the SF-36 Health Survey and provided data for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, obesity, hyperlipidemia and history of coronary heart disease. Physical capacity was assessed by treadmill test. were correlated with the scores of the psychometric questionnaires. Participants with longer duration on treadmill exercise score higher on the scale of physical functioning. The study found that treadmill exercise intensity and duration were associated with improved scores in dimensions of the physical component summary and the physical functioning of SF-36, respectively. The presence of cardiovascular risk factors is related to a decreased quality of life. Patients with cardiovascular diseases should undergo particularly detailed analysis of the quality of life along with specific mental factors such as depersonalization and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Impaired health-related quality of life in long-COVID syndrome after mild to moderate COVID-19

A growing number of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections experience long-lasting symptoms. Even patients who suffered from a mild acute infection show a variety of persisting and debilitating neurocognitive, respiratory, or cardiac symptoms (Long-Covid syndrome), consequently leading to limitations in everyday life. Because data on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is scarce, we aimed to characterize the impact of Long-Covid symptoms after a mild or moderate acute infection on HRQoL. In this observational study, outpatients seeking counseling in the interdisciplinary Post-Covid consultation of the University Hospital Zurich with symptoms persisting for more than 4 weeks were included. Patients who received an alternative diagnosis or suffered from a severe acute Covid-19 infection were excluded. St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Euroquol-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L), and the Short form 36 (SF-36) were distributed to assess HRQoL. 112 patients were included, 86 (76.8%) were female, median (IQR) age was 43 (32.0, 52.5) years with 126 (91, 180) days of symptoms. Patients suffered frequently from fatigue (81%), concentration difficulties (60%), and dyspnea (60%). Patients mostly stated impairment in performing usual activities and having pain/discomfort or anxiety out of the EQ-5D-5L. EQ index value and SGRQ activity score component were significantly lower in females. SF-36 scores showed remarkably lower scores in the physical health domain compared to the Swiss general population before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Long-Covid syndrome has a substantial impact on HRQoL. Long-term surveillance of patients must provide clarity on the duration of impairments in physical and mental health.Trial registration: The study is registered on www.ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT04793269.

The Context of Caregiving in Heart Failure: A Dyadic, Mixed Methods Analysis

BACKGROUND

Caregiving for persons with heart failure (HF) varies based on the individual, family, and home contexts of the dyad, yet the dyadic context of HF caregiving is poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore dyadic perspectives on the context of caregiving for persons with HF.

METHODS

Family caregivers and persons with HF completed surveys and semistructured interviews. Investigators also photographed caregiving areas to complement home environment data. Descriptive qualitative analysis resulted in 7 contextual domains, and each domain was rated as strength, need, or neutral. We grouped dyads by number of challenging domains of context, categorizing dyads as high (≥3 domains), moderate (1-2 domains), or minimal (0 domains) needs. Quantitative instruments included the 36-item Short Form Health Survey, ENRICHD Social Support, HF Symptom Severity, and Zarit Burden Interview. We applied the average score of each quantitative measure to the groups derived from the qualitative analysis to integrate data in a joint display.

RESULTS

The most common strength was the dyadic relationship, and the most challenging domain was caregiving intensity. Every dyad had at least 2 domains of strengths. Of 12 dyads, high-needs dyads (n = 3) had the worst average score for 7 of 10 instruments including caregiver and patient factors. The moderate-needs dyads (n = 6) experienced the lowest caregiver social support and mental health, and the highest burden.

CONCLUSION

Strengths and needs were evident in all patient-caregiver dyads with important distinctions in levels of need based on assessment of multiple contextual domains. Comprehensive dyadic and home assessments may improve understanding of unmet needs and improve intervention tailoring.

Effectiveness of a behavioral medicine intervention in physical therapy on secondary psychological outcomes and health-related quality of life in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation: a randomized, controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Interventions promoting adherence to exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (exCR) are important to achieve positive physical and psychological outcomes, but knowledge of the added value of behavioral medicine interventions for these measures is limited. The aim of the study was to investigate the added value of a behavioral medicine intervention in physical therapy (BMIP) in routine exCR on psychological outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) versus routine exCR alone (RC).

METHODS

A total of 170 patients with coronary artery disease (136 men), mean age 62.3 ± 7.9 years, were randomized at a Swedish university hospital to a BMIP plus routine exCR or to RC for four months. The outcome assessments included HRQoL (SF-36, EQ-5D), anxiety and depression (HADS), patient enablement and self-efficacy and was performed at baseline, four and 12 months. Between-group differences were tested with an independent samples t-test and, for comparisons within groups, a paired t-test was used. An intention-to-treat and a per-protocol analysis were performed.

RESULTS

No significant differences in outcomes between the groups were shown between baseline and four months or between four and 12 months. Both groups improved in most SF-36 domains, EQ-VAS and HADS anxiety at the four-month follow-up and sufficient enablement remained at the 12-months follow-up.

CONCLUSION

A BMIP added to routine exCR care had no significant effect on psychological outcomes and HRQoL compared with RC, but significant improvements in several measures were shown in both groups at the four-month follow-up. Since recruited participants showed a better psychological profile than the general coronary artery disease population, further studies on BMIP in exCR, tailored to meet individual needs in broader patient groups, are needed. Trial registration number NCT02895451, 09/09/2016, retrospectively registered.

Determinants of information needs in patients with coronary artery disease receiving cardiac rehabilitation: a prospective observational study

OBJECTIVES

Knowledge on information needs in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patients is scarce. This study investigates determinants of information needs in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 259 patients participated.

SETTING

CR centre serving a general hospital in The Netherlands.

METHODS

Patients with a coronary event and/or revascularisation referred for CR completed questionnaires assessing their level of information needs with respect to nutrition, physical activity, smoking, medication use and psychological well-being, and potential determinants of information needs (sociodemographic characteristics, health literacy, illness perceptions, anxiety, depression, Type D personality and quality of life).

RESULTS

The majority (63%) of patients indicated a need for information on at least one of the four topics (nutrition, physical activity, medication use, psychological well-being), with considerable inter-individual variation. Female sex, being employed, higher socioeconomic status, higher levels of anxiety and higher illness perception were associated with higher information needs on specific topics.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of CR patients with CAD have a need for information, with considerable inter-individual variability. Several demographic, socioeconomic and psychosocial characteristics were related to their preference for information topics. These results underline the need for personalised information strategies in patients undergoing CR.

The relationship between six-minute walked distance and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure

Objectives. To assess the relationship between the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with chronic heart failure. Methods. Forty-six patients (37 men and 9 women) with chronic heart failure, mean age 68 (SD 9), NYHA II-III and EF 29 (9) % were included. They performed 6MWT and assessed HRQL using two tools, a Swedish version of the 36-item Short Form (SF-36) and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). This was performed repeatedly during a study period of one year. Results. Patients with a walking distance lower than median experienced a lower HRQL than the higher performing half of the cohort, in four dimensions of the SF-36 and the summary of physical and mental components, but not in the dimensions of MLHFQ. Conclusion. Patients with heart failure with a short walking distance assessed their quality of life as inferior in half of the dimensions in the SF-36 but not in the dimensions measured with the MLHFQ. Thus, different aspects of the symptomatology are uncovered using the 6MWT and the different HRQL tools.

Effect of Patient-Reported Preprocedural Physical and Mental Health on 10-Year Mortality After Percutaneous or Surgical Coronary Revascularization

BACKGROUND

Clinical and anatomical characteristics are often considered key factors in deciding between percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with complex coronary artery disease (CAD) such as left-main CAD or 3-vessel disease. However, little is known about the interaction between self-reported preprocedural physical/mental health and clinical outcomes after revascularization.

METHODS

This subgroup analysis of the SYNTAXES trial (SYNTAX Extended Survival), which is the extended follow-up of the randomized SYNTAX trial (Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) comparing PCI with CABG in patients with left-main CAD or 3-vessel disease, stratified patients by terciles of Physical (PCS) or Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores derived from the preprocedural 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, with higher PCS and MCS scores representing better physical and mental health, respectively. The primary end point was all-cause death at 10 years.

RESULTS

A total of 1656 patients with preprocedural 36-Item Short Form Health Survey data were included in the present study. Both higher PCS and MCS were independently associated with lower 10-year mortality (10-point increase in PCS adjusted hazard ratio, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.73-0.97]; P=0.021; in MCS adjusted hazard ratio, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.76-0.95]; P=0.005). A significant survival benefit with CABG over PCI was observed in the highest PCS (>45.5) and MCS (>52.3) terciles with significant treatment-by-subgroup interactions (PCS P_interaction=0.033, MCS P_interaction=0.015). In patients with both high PCS (>45.5) and MCS (>52.3), 10-year mortality was significantly higher with PCI compared with CABG (30.5% versus 12.2%; hazard ratio, 2.87 [95% CI, 1.55-5.30]; P=0.001), whereas among those with low PCS (≤45.5) or low MCS (≤52.3), there were no significant differences in 10-year mortality between PCI and CABG, resulting in a significant treatment-by-subgroup interaction (P_interaction=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with left-main CAD or 3-vessel disease, patient-reported preprocedural physical and mental health status was strongly associated with long-term mortality and modified the relative treatment effects of PCI versus CABG. Patients with the best physical and mental health had better 10-year survival with CABG compared with PCI. Assessment of self-reported physical and mental health is important when selecting the optimal revascularization strategy.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov; SYNTAXES Unique identifier: NCT03417050. URL: https://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov; SYNTAX Unique identifier: NCT00114972.

Physician adherence and patient-reported outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in the era of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor therapy

This Korean nationwide, multicenter, noninterventional, prospective cohort study aimed to analyze physician adherence to guideline-recommended therapy for heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and its effect on patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Patients diagnosed with or hospitalized for HFrEF within the previous year were enrolled. Treatment adherence was considered optimal when all 3 categories of guideline-recommended medications (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, or angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors; beta-blockers; and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) were prescribed and suboptimal when ≤ 2 categories were prescribed. The 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) scores were compared at baseline and 6 months between the 2 groups. Overall, 854 patients from 30 hospitals were included. At baseline, the optimal adherence group comprised 527 patients (61.7%), whereas during follow-up, the optimal and suboptimal adherence groups comprised 462 (54.1%) and 281 (32.9%) patients, respectively. Patients in the suboptimal adherence group were older, with a lower body mass index, and increased comorbidities, including renal dysfunction. SF-36 scores were significantly higher in the optimal adherence group for most domains (P < 0.05). This study showed satisfactory physician adherence to contemporary treatment for HFrEF. Optimal adherence to HF medication significantly correlated with better PROs.

The Relationship Between Sleep Quality and Quality of Life Among Patients With Asthma

Background and objective

Asthma is a chronic recurring respiratory disease, and its prevalence is on the rise. A drop in the quality of life (QoL), as well as sleep problems, has been reported in asthmatic patients in the literature. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between QoL and sleep quality in asthmatic patients.

Methods

This cross-sectional study recruited 76 diagnosed asthmatic outpatients from our university clinic. The subjects completed the self-administered 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey QoL questionnaire (SF-36) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) assessment.

Results

The study results revealed poor sleep quality in 55 (72.4%) of the subjects. The total sleep quality scores significantly and negatively correlated with the physical and mental components of QoL (moderate, p=0.00). All QoL subscales were significantly higher in patients with good sleep quality (PSQI: <5, p<0.00). Logistic regression analysis showed that good sleep quality (modified) could predict a mental component score (MCS) of more than 64.

Conclusion

Poor sleep quality can bring down the scores of all QoL components in asthma patients and is the best predictor of their QoL. Therefore, sleep quality and QoL indicators could be applied as part of a better approach to classification, management, and control of asthma.

Coronary revascularisation outcome questionnaire: validation study of the Serbian version

PURPOSE

To translate, culturally adapt and validate the Coronary Revascularisation Outcome Questionnaire (CROQ), a disease-specific tool for measuring health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with ischaemic heart disease (IHD), into Serbian language (CROQ-S).

METHODS

Validation study was performed at the Clinic for Cardiac Surgery and Clinic for Cardiology, University Clinical Centre of Serbia. We included a convenience sample of 600 patients with IHD divided into four groups. Acceptability, reliability and validity of the CROQ-S were assessed.

RESULTS

CROQ-S was acceptable to patients as demonstrated by less than 1% of missing data for each single item. Cronbach's Alpha was higher than the criterion of 0.70 for all scales in each version except the Cognitive Functioning scale which only met this criterion in the CABG pre-revascularisation version. Mean values of item-total correlations were greater than 0.30 for all scales except the Cognitive Functioning scale in both the pre-revascularisation groups. Compared to the original version, exploratory factor analysis in our study showed more factors; however, the majority of items had a factor loading greater than 0.3 on the right scale. Correlations of CROQ-S scales with the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and Seattle Angina Questionnaire showed the expected pattern whereby scales measuring similar constructs were most highly correlated.

CONCLUSION

CROQ-S is an acceptable, reliable and valid disease-specific instrument for measuring HRQoL in this sample of Serbian speaking patients with IHD both before and after coronary revascularisation. However, the Cognitive Functioning scale did not meet all the psychometric criteria and further validation of its responsiveness is required.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Ankle Osteoarthritis: A Case-Control Study

OBJECTIVE

Ankle osteoarthritis (OA) has a prevalence of 3.4% in the general population of which 70% to 78% is posttraumatic, affecting younger patients with a longer projected life span compared with hip and knee OA. The current literature reports the physical and mental quality of life (QoL) of patients with ankle OA, to be similar to end-stage hip OA, end-stage kidney disease and digestive heart failure. However, the QoL of ankle OA patients has not yet been determined compared with a matched control group representing the general population. Our aim is to determine the physical and mental QoL compared with a matched control group.

DESIGN

The Physical and Mental Component Summaries of the Short Form-36 of 100 patients with ankle OA were compared with 91 age- and gender-matched controls. This case-control study is a substudy of the PRIMA trial, in which the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma injections for ankle OA is determined.

RESULTS

A clinically relevant difference was found for both the Physical (P=0.003; 95% CI -6.7 to -1.3) and Mental Component Summary scores (P < 0.001; 95% CI -10 to -6). Patients with ankle OA had a median of 45 points (matched controls 52 points) and 43 points (matched controls 53 points) for the Physical and Mental Component summary scores, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with ankle OA had a clinically relevant poorer mental and physical QoL compared with matched controls from the general population. Furthermore, the physical QoL of patients with ankle OA from younger age categories was affected more than those in older age categories.

The quality of afterlife: surviving extracorporeal life support after therapy-refractory circulatory failure-a comprehensive follow-up analysis

Aims

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) represents a popular treatment option for therapy‐refractory circulatory failure and substantially increases survival. However, comprehensive follow‐up (FU) data beyond short‐term survival are mostly lacking. Here, we analyse functional recovery and quality of life of longer‐term survivors.

Methods and results

Between 2011 and 2016, a total of n = 246 consecutive patients were treated with ECLS for therapy‐refractory circulatory failure in our centre. Out of those, 99 patients (40.2%) survived the first 30 days and were retrospectively analysed. Fifty‐eight patients (23.6%) were still alive after a mean FU of 32.4 ± 16.8 months. All surviving patients were invited to a prospective, comprehensive clinical FU assessment, which was completed by 39 patients (67.2% of survivors). Despite high incidence of early functional impairments, FU assessment revealed a high degree of organ and functional recovery with more than 70% of patients presenting with New York Heart Association class ≤ II, 100% free of haemodialysis, 100% free of moderate or severe neurological disability, 71.8% free of moderate or severe depression, and 84.4% of patients reporting to be caring for themselves without need for assistance.

Conclusions

Patients surviving the first 30 days of ECLS therapy for circulatory failure without severe adverse events have a quite favourable outcome in terms of subsequent survival as well as functional recovery, showing the potential of ECLS therapy for patients to recover. Patients can recover even after long periods of mechanically support and regain physical and mental health to participate in their former daily life and work.

Epitranscriptomics of Ischemic Heart Disease-The IHD-EPITRAN Study Design and Objectives

Epitranscriptomic modifications in RNA can dramatically alter the way our genetic code is deciphered. Cells utilize these modifications not only to maintain physiological processes, but also to respond to extracellular cues and various stressors. Most often, adenosine residues in RNA are targeted, and result in modifications including methylation and deamination. Such modified residues as N-6-methyl-adenosine (m6A) and inosine, respectively, have been associated with cardiovascular diseases, and contribute to disease pathologies. The Ischemic Heart Disease Epitranscriptomics and Biomarkers (IHD-EPITRAN) study aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding to their nature and role in cardiovascular pathology. The study hypothesis is that pathological features of IHD are mirrored in the blood epitranscriptome. The IHD-EPITRAN study focuses on m6A and A-to-I modifications of RNA. Patients are recruited from four cohorts: (I) patients with IHD and myocardial infarction undergoing urgent revascularization; (II) patients with stable IHD undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting; (III) controls without coronary obstructions undergoing valve replacement due to aortic stenosis and (IV) controls with healthy coronaries verified by computed tomography. The abundance and distribution of m6A and A-to-I modifications in blood RNA are charted by quantitative and qualitative methods. Selected other modified nucleosides as well as IHD candidate protein and metabolic biomarkers are measured for reference. The results of the IHD-EPITRAN study can be expected to enable identification of epitranscriptomic IHD biomarker candidates and potential drug targets.

Positive psychological profiles based on perceived health clustering in patients with cardiovascular disease: a longitudinal study

OBJECTIVES

Psychological well-being and sociodemographic factors have been associated with cardiovascular health. Positive psychological well-being research is limited in the literature; as such, this study aimed to investigate how patients with cardiovascular disease could be classified according to their perceived mental and physical health, and to identify positive psychological profiles based on this classification and test their stability over time.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Longitudinal study with patients from a public hospital located in Córdoba (Spain).

PARTICIPANTS

This study comprised 379 cardiovascular patients (87.3% men) tested at three measurement points.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Participants reported their sociodemographic variables (age, sex, educational level, employment and socioeconomic status) at phase 1, while their perceived health and variables relating to positive psychological well-being were tested at this and two subsequent time points (average interval time: 9 months).

RESULTS

The two-step cluster analysis classified participants into three groups according to their mental and physical health levels, p<0.001: high (n=76), moderate (n=113) and low (n=189) perceived health clusters. Low perceived health was the largest cluster, comprising almost half of patients. Clusters significantly differed according to sex, p=0.002, and socioeconomic level, p=0.004. The profile analysis indicated that participants in the high perceived health cluster showed high positive affect, positivity, life satisfaction, and self-efficacy in emotion regulation, and less negative affect and use of passive strategies over the three measurement points (95% CI, all ps<0.01). Moreover, psychological profile stability for each cluster was generally found over an 18-month period, all ps<0.05.

CONCLUSION

Cardiovascular patients may differ in terms of their perceived health and, accordingly, in terms of other relevant variables. Perceived health clusters generated varying and generally stable psychological profiles based on positive psychological well-being variables. Psychological interventions should be adapted to patients' requirements.

Patient-Reported Measures and Lifestyle Are Associated With Deterioration in Nutritional Status in CKD Stage 4-5: The EQUAL Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the changes in nutritional status before dialysis initiation and to identify modifiable risk factors of nutritional status decline in older adults with advanced renal disease.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The European Quality Study on treatment in advanced chronic kidney disease (EQUAL) is a prospective, observational cohort study involving six European countries. We included 1,103 adults >65 years with incident estimated glomerular filtration rate <20 mL/min/1.73 m² not on dialysis, attending nephrology care. Nutritional status was assessed with the 7-point Subjective Global Assessment tool (7-p SGA), patient-reported outcomes with RAND-36 and the Dialysis Symptom Index. Logistic regression was used to estimate the associations between potential risk factors and SGA decline.

RESULTS

The majority of the patients had a normal nutritional status at baseline, 28% were moderately malnourished (SGA ≤5). Overall, mean SGA decreased by -0.18 points/year, (95% confidence interval -0.21; -0.14). More than one-third of the study participants (34.9%) deteriorated in nutritional status (1 point decline in SGA) and 10.9% had a severe decline in SGA (≥2 points). The proportion of patients with low SGA (≤5) increased every 6 months. Those who dropped in SGA also declined in estimated glomerular filtration rate and mental health score. Every 10 points decrease in physical function score increased the odds of decline in SGA by 23%. Lower physical function score at baseline, gastrointestinal symptoms, and smoking were risk factors for impaired nutritional status. There was an interaction between diabetes and physical function on SGA decline.

CONCLUSIONS

Nutritional status deteriorated in more than one-third of the study participants during the first year of follow-up. Lower patient-reported physical function, more gastrointestinal symptoms, and current smoking were associated with decline in nutritional status.

Associations between NT-proBNP and psychosocial factors in patients with chronic systolic heart failure

OBJECTIVE

B-type natriuretic peptides (BNPs) and their biologically inactive N-terminal parts, namely, NT-proBNPs, are used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Associations of BNPs and NT-proBNPs with emotional factors may exist. As depressive and anxious comorbidities and decreases in quality of life (QoL) are common in CHF patients, we explored the associations between NT-proBNP and depression, anxiety, and QoL in patients with CHF using cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.

METHODS

We used baseline and one-year follow-up NT-proBNP measurements and sociodemographic and clinical data from 180 patients with systolic CHF from a case management study. Depression was assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), anxiety was assessed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale 7 (GAD-7), and QoL was determined using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey.

RESULTS

Univariate correlation analyses showed significant negative associations between NT-proBNP and the scores of four out of eight QoL domains (range: r = -0.159 to -0.285, p = .042 to 0.001) of the SF-36 but not between NT-proBNP and depression and anxiety scores. In cross-sectional and longitudinal multivariate regression analyses, no significant associations between NT-proBNP and psychometric variables were found.

CONCLUSION

In patients with stable, chronic systolic heart failure, only weak relations between NT-proBNP and QoL exist, but no relations between NT-proBNP and depression and anxiety were found. These findings are placed in the current research context of this topic. Implications for future experimental studies are discussed.

Oral health-related quality of life in patients with heart failure and left ventricular assist devices-results of a cross-sectional study

Objectives

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and heart failure (HF).

Material and methods

Seventy-four patients with LVAD were recruited from University Department for Cardiac Surgery, Leipzig Heart Center, Germany. A group of 72 patients with HF was composed by matching (age, gender, smoking). The German short form of oral health impact profile (OHIP G14) was applied. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was measured by short form 36 survey (SF-36). Dental conditions (decayed-, missing- and filled-teeth [DMF-T]), remaining teeth and periodontal findings were assessed. Statistics: t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, chi-square or Fisher test, linear regression.

Results

Age, gender, smoking, underlying disease, co-morbidities and oral findings were comparable between groups (p > 0.05). OHIP G14 sum score was 3.53 ± 6.82 (LVAD) and 2.92 ± 5.35 (HF; p = 0.70), respectively. The scales SF-36 physical functioning (p = 0.05) and SF-36 social functioning (p < 0.01) were worse in LVAD. In the LVAD group, the DMF-T and remaining teeth negatively correlated with OHIP G14 sum score (p < 0.01). In HF patients, positive correlations were found between OHIP G14 and D-T (p < 0.01) and remaining teeth (p = 0.04). Moreover, DMF-T (p = 0.03) and remaining molars/premolars (p = 0.02) were negatively correlated with SF-36 scales in HF.

Conclusions

Oral health and OHRQoL was comparable between LVAD and HF; thereby, OHRQoL reflected the clinical oral status.

Clinical relevance

Dental care, with beginning in early stage of HF, should be fostered to preserve teeth and support quality of life before and after LVAD implantation.

Cardiac rehabilitation in older patients: Indication or limitation?

OBJECTIVE

To assess the clinical impact of a cardiac rehabilitation program in an older population.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of 731 coronary patients who attended phase 2 of a cardiac rehabilitation program between January 2009 and December 2016. We compared the response to the program of older (≥65 years) and younger (<65 years) patients, analyzing changes in metabolic profile (including body mass index, waist circumference and lipid profile), exercise capacity, cardiac autonomic regulation parameters (such as chronotropic index and resting heart rate), and health-related quality of life scores.

RESULTS

Older patients represented 15.9% of our cohort. They showed significant reductions in waist circumference (male patients: 98.0±7.9 cm vs. 95.9±7.9 cm, p<0.001; female patients: 90.5±11.4 cm vs. 87.2±11.7 cm, p<0.001), LDL cholesterol (102.5 [86.3-128.0] mg/dl vs. 65.0 [55.0-86.0] mg/dl, p<0.001) and triglycerides (115.0 [87.8-148.5] mg/dl vs. 97.0 [81.8-130.0] mg/dl, p<0.001). Post-training data also showed a noticeable improvement in older patients' exercise capacity (7.6±1.8 METs vs. 9.3±1.8 METs, p<0.001), along with a higher chronotropic index and lower resting heart rate. Additionally, health-related quality of life indices improved in older subjects. However, our overall analysis found no significant differences between the groups in changes of the studied parameters.

CONCLUSION

Older coronary patients benefit from cardiac rehabilitation interventions, similarly to their younger counterparts. Greater involvement of elderly patients in cardiac rehabilitation is needed to fully realize the therapeutic and secondary preventive potential of such programs.

Predictors of change in cardiovascular disease risk and events following gastric bypass: a 7-year prospective multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Change in short-term (i.e., 10-year) and lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has significant heterogeneity.

OBJECTIVE

To identify predictors of change in CVD risk and cardiovascular events following RYGB.

METHODS

Between 2006-2009, 1625 adults without a history of CVD enrolled in a prospective cohort study and underwent RYGB at 1 of 10 U.S. hospitals. Participants were followed annually for a maximum of 7 years. Associations between presurgery characteristics (anthropometric, sociodemographic, physical and mental health, alcohol/drug use, eating behaviors) and 1) pre to postsurgery change in 10 year and lifetime atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) risk scores, respectively, and 2) having a CVD event (nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, angina, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting, or CVD-attributed death) as repeated measures (yr 1-7) were evaluated.

SETTING

Observational cohort study at ten hospitals throughout the United States.

RESULTS

Presurgery factors independently associated with decreases in both 10-year and lifetime risk scores 1-7 years post-RYGB were higher CVD risk score, female sex, higher household income, and normal kidney function. Additionally, Black race and having diabetes were independently associated with decreases in 10-year risk, while not having diabetes and a higher (better) composite mental health score were independently related to decreases in lifetime risk. A lower (worse) presurgery composite physical health score was associated with a higher CVD event risk (RR = 1.68, per 10 points).

CONCLUSION

This study identified multiple presurgery factors that characterize patients who may have more cardiovascular benefit from RYGB, and patients who might require additional support to improve their cardiovascular health.

Regression-based normative data for social health scale for the elderly (short version) in eastern China

Backgrounds

Social Health Scale for the Elderly short version (SHSE-S) is a psychometrically sound instrument that comprehensively assesses the social health status of older adults in China. The aim of the present study was to establish continuous normative data of SHSE-S.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study among 31 communities in eastern China. Older adults aged 60 years and above were invited to participate in the study. Each participant was interviewed in-person to finish a structured questionnaire. The SHES-S score was calculated and standardized for each participant. We split the sample into generation and validation datasets and compared the distribution of SHSE-S score between two datasets. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the SHSE-S score and demographic variables. Regression-based norms were built using a four-step process.

Results

A total of 6089 participants (51.2% females) aged 60 years old and above (mean age = 71.3, SD = 8.0) were enrolled as the normative sample. No significant difference was found between the distribution of SHSE-S standardized score in the generation (N = 2392) and validation (N = 3697) datasets. Multivariable linear regression showed that females, higher education levels were positive indicators while aging, living alone, divorced or never married, multimorbidity were negative factors. The regression-based norm which taking demographic factors into account was established and a user-friendly worksheet was also provided to facilitate the scoring and norming of the SHSE-S.

Conclusions

The population-based regression norm of SHSE-S can be a useful tool for assessing the social health status of the Chinese elderly population.

Health-related quality of life in Marfan syndrome: a 10-year follow-up

Background

Marfan syndrome, a rare hereditary connective tissue disorder caused by mutations in fibrillin-1, can affect many organ systems, especially the cardiovascular system. Previous research has paid less attention to health-related quality of life and prospective studies on this topic are needed. The aim of this study was to assess changes in health-related quality of life after 10 years in a Norwegian Marfan syndrome cohort.

Methods

Forty-seven Marfan syndrome patients ≥ 18 years were investigated for all organ manifestations in the 1996 Ghent nosology and completed the self-reported questionnaire, Short-Form-36 Health Survey, at baseline in 2003–2004 and at follow-up in 2014–2015. Paired sample t tests were performed to compare means and multiple regression analyses were performed with age, sex, new cardiovascular and new non-cardiovascular pathology as predictors.

Results

At 10-year follow-up: a significant decline was found in the physical domain. The mental domain was unchanged. Older age predicted a larger decline in physical health-related quality of life. None of the chosen Marfan-related variables predicted changes in any of the subscales of the Short-Form 36 Health Survey or in the physical or the mental domain.

Conclusion

Knowledge of decline in the physical domain, not related to organ affections, may be important in the follow-up of Marfan syndrome patients.

Variation of Minimum Clinically Important Difference by Age, Gender, Baseline Disability, and Change of Direction in Adult Spinal Deformity Population: Is It a Constant Value?

BACKGROUND

The minimum clinically important difference (MCID), an important concept to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments, might not be a single "magical" constant for any given health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scale. Thus, we analyzed the effects of various factors on MCIDs for several HRQoL measures in an adult spinal deformity population.

METHODS

Surgical and nonsurgical patients from a multicenter adult spinal deformity database who had completed pretreatment and 1-year follow-up questionnaires (Core Outcome Measures Index [COMI], Oswestry Disability Index [ODI], Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short-form questionnaire, 22-item Scoliosis Research Society Outcomes questionnaire, and an anchor question of "back health"-related change during the previous year) were evaluated. The MCIDs for each HRQoL measure were calculated using an anchor-based method and latent class analysis for the overall population and subpopulations stratified by age, gender, and baseline scores (ODI and COMI) separately for patients with positive versus negative perceptions of change.

RESULTS

Patients with a baseline ODI score of <20, 20-40, and >40 had an MCID of 2.24, 11.35, and 26.57, respectively. Similarly, patients with a baseline COMI score of <2.75, 2.8-5.4, and >5.4 had an MCID of 0.59, 1.38, and 3.67 respectively. The overall MCID thresholds for deterioration and improvement were 0.27 and 2.62 for COMI, 2.23 and 14.31 for ODI, and 0.01 and 0.71 for 22-item Scoliosis Research Society Outcomes questionnaire, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results from the present study have demonstrated that MCIDs change in accordance with the baseline scores and direction of change but not by age or gender. The MCID, in its current state, should be considered a concept rather than a constant.

Midterm postoperative prognosis of patients with severe left heart valvular disease combined with moderate or severe pulmonary hypertension treated with treprostinil

BACKGROUND

To investigate the midterm postoperative prognosis of patients with severe left heart valvular disease combined with moderate or severe pulmonary hypertension (PAH) using subcutaneous injection of treprostinil.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on 61 patients with severe left heart valvular disease combined with moderate or severe PAH who had undergone mechanical mitral and/or aortic valve replacement from April 2018 to October 2018. The patients were divided into the treprostinil group and the conventional treatment group according to whether they received treprostinil. The patients were assessed by SwanGanz catheterization, echocardiography, the 6-min walk test (6-MWT), the Borg dyspnoea score and the SF-36 questionnaire.

RESULTS

Compared with the preoperative data, the mPAP measured by SwanGanz catheterization, the results of the 6-MWT and the Borg score were significantly improved in both groups during the 1 year follow-up (P < 0.05). Regarding the comparison between the groups, the results in group T were significantly better than those in group C, including the results of the 6-MWT and the general health, vitality and mental health of SF-36 during the 1 year follow-up (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous subcutaneous infusion of treprostinil was not capable of decreasing pulmonary pressures in patients with severe left heart valvular disease combined with moderate or severe PAH during 1 year follow-up, although which some of our data suggest that might improve the symptoms and quality of life of these patients.

Health-related quality of life and lived experiences in males and females with thoracic aortic disease and their partners

Objective

Thoracic aortic disease (TAD) may have substantial impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We described HRQOL in patients with TAD, cardiovascular screening participants and their partners; identified factors associated with HRQOL; and explored lived experiences and feelings of anxiety or depression using a mixed methods design.

Methods

For this cross-sectional study, all consecutive patients visiting the TAD outpatient clinic (2017–2019) at our centre were asked to complete three questionnaires: the Short Form 36 (SF-36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Rotterdam Disease Specific Questionnaire (RDSQ). A subsample was invited for in-depth interviews.

Results

In total, 261 participants were included: 147 patients with TAD (thoracic aortic diameter ≥40 mm; 54 females, 36.7%), 114 screening participants (cardiovascular family screening; 71 females, 62.3%) and 66 partners. Compared with the general population, patients with TAD showed markedly lower HRQOL, whereas screening participants’ HRQOL was less impaired. Female and younger participants scored significantly lower on the SF-36 and HADS compared with male and older participants. Smaller aortic diameter was associated with better RDSQ score, and previous aortic surgery was associated with higher HADS depression scores. Furthermore, partners scored significantly lower on 2/8 SF-36 subdomains when compared with the general population. From 11 interviewees, determinants of psychological distress included coping strategies, impact on social and professional life, disease-related knowledge, state of aortic diameters and physical symptoms.

Conclusions

Healthcare professionals must be aware of HRQOL impairments in patients with TAD, particularly in younger females. Moreover, attention for partners is needed. Coping strategies and communication within the family were found to be important factors influencing psychological distress, and might be valuable leads for counselling and HRQOL improvement in this population.

The Role of Emotional Regulation and Affective Balance on Health Perception in Cardiovascular Disease Patients According to Sex Differences

One of the challenges of aging is the increase of people with chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). Men and women experience the disease differently. Therefore, it has an impact on how CVD is treated and its outcomes. This research analyzed the relationship between psychosocial variables and health promotion among cardiovascular patients, paying special attention to sex differences. A longitudinal study with cardiovascular patients (747 in phase 1 (122 women) and 586 in phase 2 (83 women)) was carried out. Participants were evaluated based on their sociodemographic characteristics, affective balance, regulatory negative affect self-efficacy, stress and anxiety regulation strategies, and perceived global health. Results showed that men presented significantly higher scores in positive affect, affective balance, and self-efficacy to regulate negative emotions, while women presented significantly higher scores in negative affect and the use of passive strategies to cope with stressful situations. Regression analyses showed that all psychological variables studied in phase 1 were significant predictors of health perception in phase 2. According to the results, it is necessary to include strategies to improve cardiovascular health through education and emotional regulation, with a gender focus.

Lipoprotein apheresis and PCSK9 inhibitors for severe familial hypercholesterolaemia: Experience from Australia and New Zealand

INTRODUCTION

Severe familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) causes premature disability and death due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and is refractory to standard lipid-lowering therapies. Lipoprotein apheresis (LA) has long been a standard of care for patients with severe FH, but is invasive, expensive and time-consuming for patients and their caregivers. Newer drug therapies, including the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, may reduce the need for LA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We audited the records of 16 patients (eight homozygous, eight heterozygous) treated with LA in Australia and New Zealand, 14 of whom subsequently commenced PCSK9 inhibitor therapy. LA was performed by cascade filtration in all centres.

RESULTS

LDL-cholesterol was acutely lowered by 69 ± 7% in patients with homozygous FH and by 72 ± 9% in those with heterozygous FH, representing time-averaged reductions of 36 ± 12% and 34 ± 5%, respectively. LA was well-tolerated, and patients reported comparable quality of life to population and disease-related norms. After commencement of PCSK9 inhibitors, four of seven patients with homozygous FH had meaningful biochemical responses, with a reduction in the frequency of LA permitted in one patient and complete cessation in another. Four of seven patients with heterozygous FH were able to be managed without LA after commencing PCSK9 inhibitors.

CONCLUSION

While PCSK9 inhibitors have reduced the need for LA, some patients with severe FH continue to require LA, and will require it for the foreseeable future. However, emerging therapies, including angiopoetin-like 3 inhibitors, may further reduce the need for LA.

Humanistic burden and economic impact of heart failure – a systematic review of the literature

Background: Heart failure (HF) is increasing in prevalence worldwide. This systematic review was conducted to inform understanding of its humanistic and economic burden. Methods: Electronic databases (Embase, MEDLINE®, and Cochrane Library) were searched in May 2017. Data were extracted from studies reporting health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in 200 patients or more (published 2007–2017), or costs and resource use in 100 patients or more (published 2012–2017). Relevant HRQoL studies were those that used the 12- or 36-item Short-Form Health Surveys, EuroQol Group 5-dimensions measure of health status, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire or Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. Results: In total, 124 studies were identified: 54 for HRQoL and 71 for costs and resource use (Europe: 25/15; North America: 24/50; rest of world/multinational: 5/6). Overall, individuals with HF reported worse HRQoL than the general population and patients with other chronic diseases. Some evidence identified supports a correlation between increasing disease severity and worse HRQoL. Patients with HF incurred higher costs and resource use than the general population and patients with other chronic conditions. Inpatient care and hospitalizations were identified as major cost drivers in HF. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that patients with HF experience worse HRQoL and incur higher costs than individuals without HF or patients with other chronic diseases. Early treatment of HF and careful disease management to slow progression and to limit the requirement for hospital admission are likely to reduce both the humanistic burden and economic impact of HF.

Elderly Medication Adherence Intervention Using the My Interventional Drug-Eluting Stent Educational App: Multisite Randomized Feasibility Trial

BACKGROUND

A lifesaving treatment for myocardial infarction is the placement of a stent in a closed or obstructed coronary artery. The largest modifiable risk factor after receiving a stent is medication adherence to Dual AntiPlatelet Therapy, a combination of P2Y12 inhibitors and aspirin.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the acceptability of a protocol and an intervention using the My Interventional Drug-Eluting Stent Educational App (MyIDEA) and to evaluate medication adherence using the proportion of days covered (PDC) and platelet activation tests in a multisite randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

Potential participants who received a post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedure with a drug-eluting stent were approached. All patients older than 50 years and who spoke English were recruited. Participants were recruited, baseline demographics were collected, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine-Short Form, Burden-Benefit questionnaire, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, and PCI knowledge questionnaire were administered. Block randomization was used to randomize participants to either usual care or MyIDEA supplementation. MyIDEA is a personalized educational intervention based on the Kolb experiential learning theory using patient narratives for education. During the visits, participants' blood was collected to measure platelet suppression from medication. During the second and third encounters, the Morisky medication adherence score and cardiology outcomes were measured. The study was conducted at the University of Illinois Hospital and John H Stroger Jr Cook County Hospital with appropriate ethical approvals. Platelet suppression was measured through aspirin reactive units and P2Y12 reactive units. Medication adherence was measured using the PDC. The analysis team was blinded to the participants' group membership. The primary outcome was a feasibility analysis of recruitment and retention.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 60.4 years (SD 7.1); the majority of patients were black and non-Hispanic. The majority of patients' reading levels were seventh grade or above, and they were not very familiar with other electronic devices for information and communication. The number of control subjects was 21, and the number of participants in the interventional arm was 24. The interventional group was able to use MyIDEA in both the hospital and outpatient setting. However, there was no significant difference in platelet suppression or medication adherence between groups. There were also differences between the groups in terms of depression and anxiety, initially, as measured by HADS. No documented adverse event associated with the intervention was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients are willing to use tablet devices to be educated about health conditions. Additional studies are required to measure the effectiveness and determine the most suitable timing and location for patient education.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04439864; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04439864.

Oral health-related quality of life of patients after heart transplantation and those with heart failure is associated with general health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients after heart transplantation (HTx) and those with heart failure (HF).

METHODS

In total, 186 participants (HTx: 104, HF: 82) were recruited from the University Department for Cardiac Surgery, Leipzig Heart Centre, Germany. OHRQoL was assessed with the German short form of the oral health impact profile (OHIP-G14). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was evaluated using the short form 36 survey (SF-36). Furthermore, the dental and periodontal treatment need was recorded.

RESULTS

With an OHIP-G14 sum score of 6.58 ± 6.40 [5; 2.5-8] in the HTx group and 5.54 ± 5.47 [5; 2-7] in the HF group, no clinically relevant or statistically significant difference was apparent (p = 0.39). The SF-36 scales for physical functioning, role-physical, general health and vitality were significantly worse in the HF group compared with the HTx group (pi < 0.01). A worse SF-36 physical component summary was significantly associated with a higher OHIP-G14 sum score (HTx: p < 0.01, HF: p = 0.04). In the HTx group, a significant association was also observed for the mental component summary (p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed physical component summary (p = 0.04) and mental component summary (p < 0.01) in HTx, and physical component summary (p = 0.02), mental component summary (p = 0.02) and smoking (p < 0.01) as significant predictors for OHIP G14 in HF.

CONCLUSION

The OHRQoL in HF and HTx patients appears to be mainly associated with general HRQoL. Therefore, multidisciplinary dental care concepts may be recommended to improve oral health conditions in these patients.

Effect of continuous nursing interventions on valve noise-related anxiety and quality of life in patients who underwent mechanical mitral valve replacement

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of continuous nursing interventions on valve noise-related anxiety in patients undergoing mechanical mitral valve replacement (MVR) and to analyze its impact on patient quality of life.

METHODS

Ninety patients who underwent mechanical MVR were divided into two groups. All patients in group A received routine nursing care. In addition to this intervention, an assigned nurse periodically provided patients in group B with continuous nursing interventions and ongoing health consultations during a 1-year follow-up. A hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) scale, a customized questionnaire and a Short Form Health Status 36 (SF-36) score questionnaire were used as the research tools.

RESULTS

The postoperative HAD scores were better in group B than in group A, but the differences in most of the data were not statistically significant between the groups, except for HA sections 0-7 and 11-21. Based on the customized questionnaire, the subjective disturbance level was significantly lower in group B than in group A (the results of Q1 and Q4 were statistically significant). With regard to the SF-36 scores, group B was superior to group A in general health, emotional function and mental health, while the other dimensions had no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with routine care, patients who received continuous care intervention after mechanical MVR had fewer anxiety symptoms and better quality of life.

[Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer before and after Surgery - a Comparison between Thoracotomy and Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery]

BACKGROUND

Earlier studies have proven that in patients with non-small cell lung cancer video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is functionally superior to thoracotomy in terms of perioperative and postoperative complications. The objective of this work was to determine whether there is a difference in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with non-small cell lung cancer - compared to the German normal population - before and after surgery. Moreover, HRQoL after thoracotomy was compared to HRQoL after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Based on retrospective data generated during a 7-year period (2010 - 2017), 327 patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent therapy were examined. Patients either underwent thoracotomy or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. 456 of short form 12 questionnaires were analysed. Via norm-based scoring, and physical and mental component summaries (PCS and MCS) were calculated before and 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment. Using t tests, potential differences in physical and mental component summaries were evaluated between patients and the German normal population as well as between patients after thoractomy and after VATS.

RESULTS

Up to 24 months after surgery, the physical dimension of HRQoL is significantly reduced, while the mental component summary does not significantly differ from the German population. Moreover, thoracotomy and VATS gave equivalent values for health-related quality of life.

CONCLUSION

With respect to health-related quality of life, thoracotomy and video-assisted thorascopic surgery are equivalent in the long term. But there was a trend to improvement with both summary scores that might indicate superiority of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Correlation Between Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients With Cardiac Disease

PURPOSE

Patients are referred to exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (ECR) to increase exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and thereby reduce risk of morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between exercise capacity and HRQOL. Furthermore, this study examined whether improvements in HRQOL were directly related to improvements in exercise capacity.

METHODS

The study included 277 patients participating in ECR. HRQOL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and exercise capacity was measured as peak oxygen uptake ((Equation is included in full-text article.)O2peak) and oxygen uptake ((Equation is included in full-text article.)O2) at the ventilatory threshold (VTh). Patients were examined before and after completion of an 8-wk ECR program.

RESULTS

Analyses at baseline showed a significant correlation between (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2peak and VTh and physical functioning (PF), role limitations because of physical problems (RP), general health perceptions (GH), vitality (VT), and physical component summary (PCS) on the SF-36; PF was the only dimension showing a moderate correlation (>0.40 Spearman ρ) with (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2peak. The follow-up analyses demonstrated a significant correlation between changes in (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2peak and changes in PF, RP, VT, and MH. Changes in (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2 peak explained 4% of the changes in the PF and VT scores.

CONCLUSION

The correlations between exercise capacity and HRQOL were weak and varied considerably among patients. The ECR program improved both exercise capacity and HRQOL, but it was not necessarily the same patients who improved both parameters. Therefore, it is recommended to use separate objective measures and patient-reported outcomes when evaluating the effect of ECR.

Effects of Mental Health on the Costs of Care for Chronic Illnesses

OBJECTIVE

The study examined whether comorbid low mental health functioning inflates the cost of treating a chronic disease.

METHODS

Data were from the 2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (N=33,893). Costs were estimated from medical records and self-reported health care use. The mental component summary (MCS) score of the 12-item Short Form (SF-12) was used as a measure of mental health status. A general linear model estimated costs with fixed effects for chronic disease (present or absent) and mental health functioning (lowest, middle, and highest MCS score tertiles indicating low, middle, and high levels of mental health functioning, respectively). The SF-12 physical component summary score was a covariate. Eight conditions (arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], high cholesterol, cancer, diabetes, stroke, coronary heart disease, and asthma) were analyzed separately.

RESULTS

For each analysis, presence or absence of the chronic condition had a strong impact on cost. Lower mental health functioning also had a significant impact on cost. However, the interaction between mental health functioning and chronic disease diagnoses was statistically significant for only three conditions and accounted for only a small variation in cost. Sensitivity analyses using MCS score as a continuous variable, using a log10 transformation of the cost variable, and focusing only on persons with scores on the extreme low end did not significantly alter the conclusions.

CONCLUSIONS

Contrary to expectation, the combination of poor mental functioning and chronic disease diagnosis did not have a strong synergistic effect on cost. Mental and general medical conditions appear to have independent effects on health care costs.

Health-related quality of life in adults undergoing transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defect

Objective

To evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adult patients who underwent transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD).

Methods

During the perioperative and postoperative period, a standard scale involving eight dimensions was used to analyze the HRQoL of 85 adult patients who underwent thoracic device closure of VSD and 80 healthy adults located locally were randomly selected as the control group in our center.

Results

A total of 80 patients’ and 80 healthy adults’ questionnaires were received with complete feedback. Out of all of the items that were investigated, postoperative patients experienced better feelings in some dimensions than the control group. Postoperative feedback was also better than preoperative feedback in some dimensions. In the comparison of the subgroups of these patients, the scores of the elderly were lower than those of the young in most dimensions. Males had more positive feedback in two aspects (“role-physical” (p = 0.01) and “vitality” (p = 0.003)), whereas unmarried people seemed to have poor emotional responses (“role-emotional” (p < 0.01) and “vitality” (p = 0.023)). There was no significant difference in any dimensions except “social functioning” (p < 0.01) between people with different levels of education.

Conclusions

Most of the adult patients who underwent thoracic closure of VSD felt that they could lead a normal life. They seemed to have reasonably normal psychosocial responses compared to healthy controls. Many patients even though their HRQoL was better than healthy individuals.

A Structured Literature Review of the Epidemiology and Disease Burden of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)

INTRODUCTION

Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by fatty liver and liver cell injury, advancing to fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Diagnosis involves liver biopsy; however, as a result of its high cost and invasiveness, NASH remains underdiagnosed, and accurate burden of disease (BoD) data are lacking. Our aim was to understand the epidemiological and BoD landscape in NASH and identify knowledge gaps.

METHODS

The Ovid search engine was used to conduct a structured review, following quality systematic principles. It included publications that reported on epidemiology, quality of life (QoL) and BoD outcomes in NASH adults. Searches were limited to English language studies published between January 2007 and September 2017. Additional grey literature searches were conducted. A total of 53 references were selected; 38 were peer-reviewed and 15 were grey literature sources.

RESULTS

NASH is estimated to affect 3-5% of the global population, most suffering from several comorbidities. Advancing fibrosis drives clinical outcomes, with approximately 20% of patients developing cirrhosis and/or HCC, the latter being a leading cause of death in NASH. A recent model predicted the 15-year survival of advanced fibrosis patients at F3 and F4 as 51.0% and 28.4%, respectively. The limited data consistently show that NASH patients experience significantly poorer QoL and higher costs compared to non-NASH patients.

CONCLUSION

This first broad-ranging examination of NASH literature revealed a paucity of evidence, with poor-quality, small studies found. The overwhelming impact of NASH and its patient and healthcare burden is evident. Further evidence is needed to improve our understanding of NASH, especially as fibrosis stages advance.

FUNDING

Gilead Science Inc.

A systematic review of recent cardiac rehabilitation meta-analyses in patients with coronary heart disease or heart failure

Aim: The aim of the project was to conduct a systematic review of meta-analyses of supervised, home-based or telemedicine-based exercise cardiac rehabilitation (CR) published between July 2011 and April 2018. Materials & methods: Evidence on mortality, hospitalization, peak VO₂, exercise capacity, muscle strength and health-related quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease or heart failure referred to CR was obtained by searching six electronic databases. Results: Of the 127 point estimates identified in the 30 CR meta-analyses identified (mortality, n = 12; hospitalization, n = 11; VO₂, n = 40; exercise capacity, n = 20; strength, n = 18; health-related quality of life, n = 26), 60% were statistically significant and 35% clinically important. Conclusion: The statistical data are sufficiently robust to promote strategies to improve referral to and participation in CR although evidence for clinical importance needs to be further investigated.

Identifying cut-off scores for interpretation of the Heart Failure Impact Questionnaire

AIMS

Heart failure (HF) influences health-related quality of life. However, the factors that contribute to health-related quality of life remain unclear in Taiwan. We aim to identify the factors influencing health-related quality of life in HF patients.

METHODS

Hospitalized HF (N = 225) patients were included from April 2011 to April 2014. Health-related quality of life was assessed by using the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. A new cut-off was conducted based on the combination of SF-36 and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire.

RESULTS

There were significant differences between good and poor quality groups on age, gender, education levels, occupational classification caregiver, New York Heart Association classes, and the numbers of comorbidities. The logistic regression analysis showed that the number of comorbidities was more than three and New York Heart Association class IV were significantly associated with health-related quality of life.