Sex and classic risk factors after myocardial infarction: a community study

Premature Myocardial Infarction: A Community Study

Objective

To evaluate the trends in incident premature myocardial infarction (MI) and prevalence of cardiac risk factors in a population-based cohort.

Methods

We studied a population-based cohort of incident premature MIs among residents (MI in men aged 18-55 years and women aged 18-65 years) in Olmsted County, Minnesota, during a 26-year period from January 1, 1987 through December 31, 2012. Recurrent MI and death after incident premature MI were enumerated through September 30, 2018.

Results

Of 3276 MI cases, 850 were premature events (37.9% [322/850] women). Age-adjusted premature MI incidence rates (2012 vs 1987) declined by 39% in men (rate ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.46 to 0.81]) and 61% in women (rate ratio, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.57). Among men with premature MI, the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia increased over time, whereas in women, only the prevalence of hyperlipidemia increased. During a mean follow-up of 13.3 years, there was no temporal decline in recurrent MI in men and women. Women showed 66% decreased risk for mortality (hazard ratio, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.68) over time, whereas men showed no change.

Conclusion

The incidence of premature MI declined over a 26-year period for both men and women. The risk factor profile of persons presenting with MI worsened over time, especially in men. Death following incident MI declined only in women. These results underscore the importance of primary prevention in young adults and of sex-specific approaches.

Screening for symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients admitted to a university hospital with acute coronary syndrome

Abstract Objective: To investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome to a university hospital and to examine associations with use of psychotropic drugs. Methods: Ninety-one patients who had had an acute coronary event were enrolled on this cross-sectional prevalence study. Characteristics of the study population and the prevalence rates of depression and anxiety in the sample were assessed using the Hospital São Lucas da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) psychiatric consultation protocol, which includes clinical and sociodemographic data, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety was 48.4% (44 patients) and the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 26.4% (24 patients). Of these, 19 patients (20.9% of the whole sample) had scores indicative of both types of symptoms concomitantly. Considering the whole sample, just 17 patients (18.7%) were receiving treatment for anxiety or depression with benzodiazepines and/or antidepressants. Conclusions: Anxiety and depression are disorders that are more prevalent among patients with acute coronary syndrome than in the general population, but they are generally under-diagnosed and under-treated. Patients with anxiety and depression simultaneously had higher scores on the HADS for anxiety and depression and therefore require more intensive care.

Sex Differences in Demographics, Risk Factors, Presentation, and Noninvasive Testing in Stable Outpatients With Suspected Coronary Artery Disease: Insights From the PROMISE Trial

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine whether presentation, risk assessment, testing choices, and results differ by sex in stable symptomatic outpatients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

BACKGROUND

Although established CAD presentations differ by sex, little is known about stable, suspected CAD.

METHODS

The characteristics of 10,003 men and women in the PROMISE (Prospective Multicenter Imaging Study for Evaluation of Chest Pain) trial were compared using chi-square and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Sex differences in test selection and predictors of test positivity were examined using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Women were older (62.4 years of age vs. 59.0 years of age) and were more likely to be hypertensive (66.6% vs. 63.2%), dyslipidemic (68.9% vs. 66.3%), and to have a family history of premature CAD (34.6% vs. 29.3) (all p values <0.005). Women were less likely to smoke (45.6% vs. 57.0%; p < 0.001), although their prevalence of diabetes was similar to that in men (21.8% vs. 21.0%; p = 0.30). Chest pain was the primary symptom in 73.2% of women versus 72.3% of men (p = 0.30), and was characterized as “crushing/pressure/squeezing/tightness” in 52.5% of women versus 46.2% of men (p < 0.001). Compared with men, all risk scores characterized women as being at lower risk, and providers were more likely to characterize women as having a low (<30%) pre-test probability of CAD (40.7% vs. 34.1%; p < 0.001). Compared with men, women were more often referred to imaging tests (adjusted odds ratio: 1.21; 95% confidence interval: 1.01 to 1.44) than nonimaging tests. Women were less likely to have a positive test (9.7% vs. 15.1%; p < 0.001). Although univariate predictors of test positivity were similar, in multivariable models, age, body mass index, and Framingham risk score were predictive of a positive test in women, whereas Framingham and Diamond and Forrester risk scores were predictive in men.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient sex influences the entire diagnostic pathway for possible CAD, from baseline risk factors and presentation to noninvasive test outcomes. These differences highlight the need for sex-specific approaches for the evaluation of CAD.

The second myocardial infarction: Higher risk factor burden and earlier second myocardial infarction in women compared with men. The Northern Sweden MONICA study

BACKGROUND

Several studies have examined various parameters and experiences when patients suffer their first myocardial infarction (MI), but knowledge about when they suffer their second MI is limited.

AIM

To compare risk factors for MI, that is, diabetes, hypertension and smoking, for the first and second MI events in men and women affected by two MIs and to analyse the time intervals between the first and second MIs.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 1017 patients aged 25-74 years with first and second MIs from 1990 through 2009 registered in the Northern Sweden MONICA registry.

RESULTS

More women than men have diabetes and hypertension and are smokers at the first MI. Similar differences between the genders remain at the time of the second MI for diabetes and hypertension, although both risk factors have increased. Smoking decreased at the second MI without any remaining difference between genders. Women suffer their second MI within a shorter time interval than men do. Within 16 months of their first MI, 50% of women had a second MI. The corresponding time interval for men was 33 months.

CONCLUSION

Patients affected by an MI should be made aware of their risk of recurrent MI and that the risk of recurrence is highest during the first few years after an MI. In patients affected by two MIs, women have a higher risk factor burden and suffer their second MI earlier than men do and thus may need more aggressive and more prompt secondary prevention.

Sex Differences in Cardiac Risk Factors, Perceived Risk, and Health Care Provider Discussion of Risk and Risk Modification Among Young Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction: The VIRGO Study

BACKGROUND

Differences between sexes in cardiac risk factors, perceptions of cardiac risk, and health care provider discussions about risk among young patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are not well studied.

OBJECTIVES

This study compared cardiac risk factor prevalence, risk perceptions, and health care provider feedback on heart disease and risk modification between young women and men hospitalized with AMI.

METHODS

We studied 3,501 AMI patients age 18 to 55 years enrolled in the VIRGO (Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on Outcomes of Young AMI Patients) study in U.S. and Spanish hospitals between August 2008 and January 2012, comparing the prevalence of 5 cardiac risk factors by sex. Modified Poisson regression was used to assess sex differences in self-perceived heart disease risk and self-reported provider discussions of risk and modification.

RESULTS

Nearly all patients (98%) had ≥1 risk factor, and 64% had ≥3. Only 53% of patients considered themselves at risk for heart disease, and even fewer reported being told they were at risk (46%) or that their health care provider had discussed heart disease and risk modification (49%). Women were less likely than men to be told they were at risk (relative risk: 0.89; 95% confidence interval: 0.84 to 0.96) or to have a provider discuss risk modification (relative risk: 0.84; 95% confidence interval: 0.79 to 0.89). There was no difference between women and men for self-perceived risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite having significant cardiac risk factors, only one-half of young AMI patients believed they were at risk for heart disease before their event. Even fewer discussed their risks or risk modification with their health care providers; this issue was more pronounced among women.

Physical activity, body composition and general health status of physically active students of the University of the Third Age (U3A)

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate general health status of a group of older adults, physically active students of the University of the Third Age (U3A), based on results of biochemical analyses of blood, assessment of their physical activity (PA) level, body composition and cognitive function with respect to age and sex.

METHODS

A total of 104 students (85 women and 19 men, aged 63.7±6.6 y) of the U3A's located in the Upper Silesia region of Poland volunteered to participate in this study. A habitual PA level and body composition were objectively assessed by using ActiGraph GT1M and InBody 720, respectively. Serum lipid profile and glucose metabolism markers were measured for assessment of cardiovascular disease risk factors. Moreover, subjects' cognitive functions were tested.

RESULTS

Most of the study participants reached the daily step goal of 10,000 steps and thus fulfilled the ACSM recommendations for the quantity and quality of cardiorespiratory exercise. Highly negative correlations between the number of steps per day and body adiposity markers, serum insulin and HOMA-IR confirmed that vigorous physical activity at the recommended level was associated with better body composition and lower levels of risk markers of coronary heart disease and diabetes. Most of the U3A students were characterized by a favorable lipid profile, prevalence of normal blood pressure, low rates of HOMA-estimated insulin resistance and normal cognitive function.

CONCLUSION

Adherence to ACSM recommendations is associated with beneficial changes in risk factors related to cardiovascular disease.

Multimorbidity and Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment

OBJECTIVES

To determine the association between multiple chronic conditions and risk of incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Olmsted County, Minnesota.

PARTICIPANTS

Cognitively normal individuals (N = 2,176) enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging (MCSA).

MEASUREMENTS

Participants were randomly selected from the community, evaluated by a physician, and underwent neuropsychometric testing at baseline and at 15-month intervals to assess diagnoses of MCI and dementia. Information on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes for chronic conditions in the 5 years before enrollment was electronically captured using the Rochester Epidemiology Project medical records linkage system. Multimorbidity was defined as having two or more chronic conditions, and the association between multimorbidity and MCI and dementia was examined using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Of 2,176 cognitively normal participants (mean age ± standard deviation 78.5 ± 5.2; 50.6% male), 1,884 (86.6%) had multimorbidity. The risk of MCI or dementia was higher in persons with multimorbidity (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05-1.82) than in those with one or no chronic condition. The HR was of greater magnitude in persons with four or more conditions (HR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.21-2.13) than in those with two or three conditions (HR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.76-1.39) and for men with multimorbidity(HR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.01-2.31) than for women with multimorbidity (HR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.83-1.74), compared to those with one or no chronic condition.

CONCLUSION

In older adults, having multiple chronic conditions is associated with greater risk of MCI and dementia. This is consistent with the hypothesis that multiple etiologies may contribute to MCI and late-life dementia. Preventing chronic diseases may be beneficial in delaying or preventing MCI and dementia.

Symptom recognition and healthcare experiences of young women with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Prompt recognition of acute myocardial infarction symptoms and timely care-seeking behavior are critical to optimize acute medical therapies. Relatively little is known about the symptom presentation and care-seeking experiences of women aged ≤55 years with acute myocardial infarction, a group shown to have increased mortality risk as compared with similarly aged men. Understanding symptom recognition and experiences engaging the healthcare system may provide opportunities to reduce delays and improve acute care for this population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted a qualitative study using in-depth interviews with 30 women (aged 30-55 years) hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction to explore their experiences with prodromal symptoms and their decision-making process to seek medical care. Five themes characterized their experiences: (1) prodromal symptoms varied substantially in both nature and duration; (2) they inaccurately assessed personal risk of heart disease and commonly attributed symptoms to noncardiac causes; (3) competing and conflicting priorities influenced decisions about seeking acute care; (4) the healthcare system was not consistently responsive to them, resulting in delays in workup and diagnosis; and (5) they did not routinely access primary care, including preventive care for heart disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants did not accurately assess their cardiovascular risk, reported poor preventive health behaviors, and delayed seeking care for symptoms, suggesting that differences in both prevention and acute care may be contributing to young women's elevated acute myocardial infarction mortality relative to men. Identifying factors that promote better cardiovascular knowledge, improved preventive health care, and prompt care-seeking behaviors represent important target for this population.

Hypercholesterolemia and risk of incident psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in US women

OBJECTIVE

Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disorder associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have been shown to have elevated cholesterol levels. However, it is not known whether hypercholesterolemia is associated with an increased risk of psoriasis or psoriasis with PsA. We undertook this study to determine whether a history of hypercholesterolemia is associated with the risk of developing incident psoriasis and psoriasis with PsA in a cohort of US women.

METHODS

We included a total of 95,540 participants from the Nurses' Health Study II (1991-2005). Information on personal history of physician-diagnosed hypercholesterolemia and related medication use was collected during the followup period. Clinician-diagnosed psoriasis and psoriasis with PsA were ascertained and confirmed using supplementary questionnaires. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

RESULTS

During 1,320,765 person-years of followup, we documented 646 participants with incident psoriasis, 165 of whom had concomitant PsA. Hypercholesterolemia was associated with elevated risks of incident psoriasis (HR 1.25 [95% CI 1.04-1.50]) and psoriasis with PsA (HR 1.58 [95% CI 1.13-2.23]) in multivariate-adjusted models. Participants with hypercholesterolemia lasting for ≥7 years were at a higher risk of developing psoriasis (HR 1.29 [95% CI 1.03-1.61]) (P for trend = 0.0002) and psoriasis with PsA (HR 1.68 [95% CI 1.12-2.52]) (P for trend = 0.002). These associations persisted among participants who never took cholesterol-lowering medications. There was no association between cholesterol-lowering drugs and risk of psoriasis or psoriasis with PsA.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides evidence that hypercholesterolemia, a well-known cardiovascular risk factor, is also associated with an elevated risk of psoriasis and psoriasis with PsA.

Population attributable risk (PAR) of overweight and obesity on chronic diseases: South Australian representative, cross-sectional data, 2004-2006

SUMMARY

BACKGROUND

To determine the contribution of overweight and obesity to five chronic conditions using the population attributable risk (PAR) statistic.

METHOD

Self-reported data were collected in Australia using a representative, ongoing monthly risk factor surveillance system using computer assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) for the period 2004-2006 (n = 15,261). The PAR, adjusted for various demographic and health-related risk factors, was used to determine the contribution of overweight and obesity to diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease (CVD), arthritis and osteoporosis for people aged 18 years and over.

RESULTS

In total, 19.0% of South Australians aged 18 years and over were obese, and 36.0% were overweight. The PAR of overweight and obesity was highest among those with diabetes (17.3% and 28.4%). After adjusting for demographic and risk factors, overweight and obesity had a significantly high PAR for diabetes (11.3% and 23.1%), asthma (4.0% and 10.3%) and arthritis (6.7% and 8.1%). The unadjusted PAR of overweight and obesity for CVD was significant (10.8% and 11.7%) but was reduced when controlled for other factors. The PAR of overweight and obesity was significant for osteoporosis but the association was protective.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of PAR contributes to the understanding of how overweight and obesity are related to various chronic conditions however the size of this association depends on the chronic disease and other socio-demographic and health-related risk factors that may or may not be modifiable. The information provides evidence of the association of overweight and obesity with chronic disease and the potential for reducing the burden of chronic disease by addressing the obesity epidemic.

Prevalence of traditional cardiac risk factors and secondary prevention among patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI): variation by age, sex, and race

BACKGROUND

Modification of traditional cardiac risk factors is an important goal for patients after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Risk factor prevalence and secondary prevention efforts at discharge are well characterized among older patients; however, research is limited for younger and minority AMI populations, particularly among women.

METHODS

Among 2369 AMI patients enrolled in a 19-center prospective study, we compared the prevalence and cumulative number of five cardiac risk factors (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, current smoking, diabetes, obesity) by age, sex, and race. We also compared secondary prevention strategies at discharge for these risk factors, including prescription of antihypertensive or lipid-lowering medications and counseling on preventive behaviors (smoking cessation, diabetes management, diet/weight management).

RESULTS

Approximately 93% of patients had ≥1 risk factor, 72% had ≥2 factors, and 40% had ≥3 factors. The prevalence of multiple risk factors was markedly higher for blacks than for whites within each age-sex group; black women had the greatest risk factor burden of any subgroup (60% of older black women and 54% of younger black women had ≥3 risk factors). Secondary prevention efforts for smoking cessation were less common for black compared with white patients, and younger black patients were less often prescribed antihypertensive and lipid-lowering medications compared with younger white patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple cardiac risk factors are highly prevalent in AMI patients, particularly among black women. Secondary prevention efforts, however, are less common for blacks compared to whites, especially among younger patients. Our findings highlight the need for improved risk factor modification efforts in these high-risk subgroups.

The association of angina pectoris with heart disease mortality among men and women by diabetes status: the Rancho Bernardo Study

OBJECTIVE

To study the sex-specific association of angina pectoris with mortality in community-dwelling older adults with and without diabetes.

METHODS

Baseline prevalence of angina was evaluated in 822 men and 1184 postmenopausal women aged 50-89 years at the 1984-1987 Rancho Bernardo Study clinic visit, when an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the Rose angina questionnaire were administered. All-cause and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality were assessed after an average follow-up period of 13.2 years. Sex-specific Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the independent association of angina with mortality by glucose tolerance category.

RESULTS

At baseline, average age was 71 years for both sexes; 61 men (7.4%) and 142 women (12.0%) had angina. Overall, 129 men (15.9%) and 130 women (11.0%) had type 2 diabetes; 228 men (27.7%) and 357 women (30.2%) had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). During follow-up, 485 men (59%) and 557 women (47%) died, of whom 103 men (21.2%) and 104 women (18.7%) had fatal CHD. Women with diabetes and angina had a 3-4-fold greater risk of dying from CHD than women with diabetes but without angina, independent of covariates. Women with angina and IGT had twice the risk of CHD mortality compared with women with IGT but without angina. A smaller increased risk of fatal CHD in men was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Angina was associated with an increased risk of dying from CHD among women, especially among those who also had IGT or diabetes.

Risk profiles for mild cognitive impairment vary by age and sex: the Sydney Memory and Ageing study

OBJECTIVES

: To examine age- and sex-related differences in risk and protective factors for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in community-based elderly individuals.

DESIGN

: Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

: The population-based Sydney Memory and Ageing Study.

PARTICIPANTS

: A total of 757 nondemented, community-dwelling elderly individuals from an English-speaking background categorized as younger (70-79 years) or older (80-90 years).

MEASUREMENTS

: Risk of MCI was determined for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and cardiac, physical, mental, and general health factors using age- (and sex-) adjusted multiple regressions comprising initially significant univariate factors.

RESULTS

: The point prevalence of MCI within our sample was 39.1% overall: it was lowest in younger women (32.3%) and similar across men and older women (41.9%-43.6%). The risk of MCI across all participants was increased by the APOE ∊4 allele, high homocysteine, and heart disease; and decreased by better odor identification, visual acuity, and mental activity. Risk factors in all younger participants were slow 6-m walk, poor odor identification, and high homocysteine. Risk of MCI was associated in younger women with history of depression, less mental activity, slower 6-m walk, poorer visual acuity, and higher homocysteine; and in younger men with poorer odor identification and higher homocysteine. Older participants showed no significant risk factors for MCI, except for poorer visual acuity in men. Supporting these findings were statistically significant interactions that reflected the differences in risk factor profiles between age and/or sex groups.

CONCLUSIONS

: Risk factors for MCI differ in men and women and vary with age. This has implications for preventing MCI and possibly dementia.

Current trends in coronary revascularization

The options for coronary revascularization broadened in recent years with the introduction of bare-metal stents in the 1990s and drug-eluting stents in 2003. Since then, the rates of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have increased whereas the use of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has decreased. Although historically there have been disparities in the use of revascularization procedures in women, the elderly, and nonwhite patients, there is some evidence to suggest these gaps have narrowed in recent years. In any given clinical circumstance, there is ongoing debate as to whether PCI or CABG is the more appropriate revascularization method depending on coronary anatomy, ventricular function, and associated conditions. Also, trends in coronary revascularization are potentially influenced by emerging clinical evidence and new technologies, national guidelines and appropriateness criteria, procedure reimbursement, and changes in the population being treated. Accordingly, it is unclear whether the trend in increased use of PCI versus CABG will continue.

Prevalence of mild cognitive impairment is higher in men. The Mayo Clinic Study of Aging

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Olmsted County, MN, using in-person evaluations and published criteria.

METHODS

We evaluated an age- and sex-stratified random sample of Olmsted County residents who were 70-89 years old on October 1, 2004, using the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, a neurologic evaluation, and neuropsychological testing to assess 4 cognitive domains: memory, executive function, language, and visuospatial skills. Information for each participant was reviewed by an adjudication panel and a diagnosis of normal cognition, MCI, or dementia was made using published criteria.

RESULTS

Among 1,969 subjects without dementia, 329 subjects had MCI, with a prevalence of 16.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 14.4-17.5) for any MCI, 11.1% (95% CI 9.8-12.3) for amnestic MCI, and 4.9% (95% CI 4.0-5.8) for nonamnestic MCI. The prevalence of MCI increased with age and was higher in men. The prevalence odds ratio (OR) in men was 1.54 (95% CI 1.21-1.96; adjusted for age, education, and nonparticipation). The prevalence was also higher in subjects who never married and in subjects with an APOE epsilon3epsilon4 or epsilon4epsilon4 genotype. MCI prevalence decreased with increasing number of years of education (p for linear trend <0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that approximately 16% of elderly subjects free of dementia are affected by MCI, and amnestic MCI is the most common type. The higher prevalence of MCI in men may suggest that women transition from normal cognition directly to dementia at a later age but more abruptly.

Cardiac risk factors and quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease

AIMS

The study aimed to determine the quality of life and the relationship between cardiac risk factors and the quality of life in subjects diagnosed with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of adult deaths. The main goal of the therapy is to stop the progression of atherosclerotic coronary disease, ensure its regression and protect individuals from possible complications, increase quality of life and survival period by providing optimal physical, psychological and social conditions.

DESIGN AND METHOD

The sample population was 270 outpatients who were diagnosed Coronary artery disease at the Cardiology Policlinics of State Hospital during 21 May-20 July 2007. Socio-demographic information and risk factors were inquired during the period of data collection with two forms as the 'Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire' and 'Mac New Quality of Life Scale'.

RESULTS

According to the results of the study, it was found that 22.2% of the patients were under the age of risk group, 27.8% had diabetes, 47.5% had hypertension, 36.7% were smokers, and 40.7% had hyperlipidemia. It was established that 31.1% had four risk factors, no patients were risk-free, and the mean number of risk factors was 3.7 (SD 1.28). For the scores of the quality of life scale domains of the patients, the physical field, emotional field, social field and total quality were estimated to be 60.85, 69.34, 68.31 and 130.42, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

It was found that there was a negatively statistically significant relation between the quality of life and hypertension and early familial Coronary artery disease history and that quality of life declined as the risk factors increased.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Risk-factor modification and organisation of training programmes with ensured participation of patients and their relatives are of critical importance in improving their quality of life.

Comparison of traditional risk factors, angiographic findings, and in-hospital mortality between smoking and nonsmoking Turkish men and women with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of smoking is high in Turkey. However, there are no data available evaluating the differences between smokers and nonsmokers according to their sex in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Turkey.

HYPOTHESIS

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of smoking and its relationship to age, localization, and extension of coronary heart disease (CHD), and other risk factors in Turkish men and women with first AMI.

METHODS

This study included, 1502 patients with first AMI from 3 different cities in Turkey. The baseline characteristics and traditional risk factors for CHD, Coronary angiographic results, and in-hospital outcome were recorded.

RESULTS

The proportion of male smokers was significantly higher than that of women (68% vs 18%, P < 0.001). Smokers were younger by almost a decade than nonsmokers (P < 0.001). Male nonsmokers were younger than females; however, the mean age of first AMI was similar in male and female smokers. In both genders, prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus was significantly lower in smokers than in nonsmokers (P < 0.001). Smokers had less multivessel disease and less comorbidity as compared to nonsmokers. Although the in-hospital mortality rate was lower in smokers, smoking status was not an independent predictor of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking, by decreasing the age of first AMI in women, offsets the age difference in first AMI between men and women. The mean age of first AMI is lower in Turkey than most European countries due to a high percentage of smoking.

In-hospital Mortality Characteristics of Women With Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death in women and men in the United States. This study aimed to investigate differences in characteristics between those women who died and survived an acute myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS

This secondary analysis included 109 women. Demographic variables were extracted along with presenting MI symptoms, cardiovascular risk factors (family history of cardiovascular disease, patient history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and smoking history), type of MI, time of symptom onset and time of presentation to emergency department (ED) for treatment. Descriptive statistics described the sample, t-tests and chi-square analyzed differences between the groups.

RESULTS

There was a 12% mortality rate for women experiencing an acute MI. The women who died had a mean age of 79 years, approximately 7 years older than those who survived (P = 0.037). The leading MI presenting symptoms were chest pain and shortness of breath. The mean number of cardiovascular risk factors for those who died were 2.15 compared to 2.75 for those who survived (P = 0.063). The majority of those women who survived had a non ST Elevation MI (94%) compared to 54% with a non ST Elevation MI who died. Median time to ED presentation was 242.5 minutes for those who survived compared to 244 minutes who died (P = 0.951).

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate a MI mortality profile of women which included an older age, no family history of heart disease reported, and a high rate of hypertension. Those who died reported chest pain and shortness of breath, with several presenting with a syncopal event. In addition, the women represented in this sample had a prolonged presentation time for treatment.

KEYWORDS

Myocardial infarction; Gender; Women; Mortality; Cardiovascular risk factors.

Nationwide trends in the utilization of multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (MVPCI) in the United States across different gender and ethnicities

BACKGROUND

To evaluate nationwide trends in the utilization of Multivessel Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (MVPCI) in the past compared to recent years using a large database from 1988 to 2004.

METHOD

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was utilized to calculate the age-adjusted rate for multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (MVPCI) from 1988 to 2004. Specific ICD-9-CM codes for MVPCI were used to compile the data. Patient demographic data were also analyzed from the database.

RESULTS

According to the NIS database, MVPCI was performed in 241,319 patients from 1988 to 2004. Males underwent MVPCI twice as many as compared to females (male: 67.87%, female 32.13%). The mean age for these patients was 64.89 +/- 11.84 years old. From 1988, the age-adjusted rate for MVPCI gradually increased to more than three times in 1998 [(6.62 per 100,000 (95%CI = 5.92-7.33) in 1988 to 23.92 per 100,000 (95%CI = 21.62-26.22, P < 0.01) in 1998] and accelerated to more than 6 times that of 1988 at the end of the study in 2004 (41.50 per 100,000 (95%CI = 37.84-45.16). In recent years, this trend was similar for both genders and ethnicities.

CONCLUSION

The utilization of MVPCI has increased six times from 1988 to 2004, with acceleration in recent years. The cause of this acceleration is most likely related to the advancement in the percutaneous coronary interventional techniques.

Coronary revascularization in the community. A population-based study, 1990 to 2004

OBJECTIVES

We sought to examine temporal trends in the utilization of coronary revascularization in a geographically defined population.

BACKGROUND

Earlier reports on revascularization utilization focused on inpatient settings and did not distinguish incident from recurrent procedures. Furthermore, little is known on age- and gender-specific trends. Finally, longitudinal data on the utilization and results of coronary angiography as explanatory factors for the changing revascularization practice are lacking.

METHODS

Data integrating diagnostic and therapeutic coronary procedures performed in Olmsted County (Minnesota) between 1990 and 2004 were analyzed. Standardized rates were calculated applying the direct method and temporal trends compared using Poisson regression models.

RESULTS

Revascularization utilization increased by 24% during the study (95% confidence interval [CI] 5% to 46%), but the trends diverged by procedure type, with a sustained increase (69%, 95% CI 43% to 101%) for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) contrasting with a stabilization, then decline (-33%, 95% CI -16% to -47%) for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). For PCI, although the use increased in all categories, greater increases were noted in the elderly, in women, and for recurrent procedures. No such patterns were detected for CABG. Angiography use remained stable, and the rate of 3-vessel and/or left main disease declined (-22%, 95% CI -8% to -33%).

CONCLUSIONS

Over the 15-year period, revascularization increased in the community with a large increase in PCI partially offset by a decrease in CABG. More PCIs are performed in women and the elderly and for recurrent disease. These changes occurred within the context of a decline in multivessel disease and thus likely reflect the natural history of coronary artery disease.

Secular trends in deaths from cardiovascular diseases: a 25-year community study

BACKGROUND

Although age-adjusted cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality has declined over the past decades, controversies remain about whether this trend was similar across locations of death and disease categories and about the existence of age and sex disparities.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We examined CVD mortality trends in Olmsted County, Minnesota, between 1979 and 2003 using the categories defined by the American Heart Association, including coronary heart disease (CHD), non-CHD diseases of the heart, and noncardiac circulatory diseases. Data on demographics, cause, and location of death of all 6378 residents who died of CVD were analyzed. Although decreases in the age-adjusted rates occurred in all groups, the magnitude of the decline varied widely. Lesser annual declines were noted in out-of-hospital than in-hospital deaths (1.8% versus 4.8%; P<0.001), in older than in younger persons (1.5% at age > or =85 years versus 3.9% for those < or =74 years of age; P<0.001), and in women relative to men (2.5% versus 3.3%; P=0.007). Furthermore, although CHD showed a marked annual decrease (3.3%), more modest decrements were found for non-CHD diseases of the heart (2.1%) and noncardiac circulatory diseases (2.4%) (P=0.02 and P=0.04 for the comparison with CHD decline, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Over the past 25 years, CVD mortality declined markedly in the community, but there were large disparities in the magnitude of the decline, resulting in a shift in the distribution toward out-of-hospital and non-CHD deaths. Further reduction in CVD mortality will require strategies directed at elderly persons and women, in whom out-of-hospital rates have improved only minimally.