Cardiac rehabilitation in African Americans: evidence for poorer outcomes compared with whites, especially in women and diabetic participants

Preference-based comparison of quality of life associated with vision loss in Black and White ophthalmic populations in the US

PURPOSE

Utilities are preference-based estimates, typically ranging from 1.00 (normal health) to 0.00 (death), that quantify the quality-of-life improvement associated with a health care intervention. In conjunction with length-of-life gain, depending on the intervention, they measure total interventional value gain in quality-adjusted life years that can be integrated with costs in cost-utility analysis. We believed it relevant to ascertain whether race was a differentiating factor confounding utilities related to vision.

METHODS

An analysis of cross-sectional data obtained from consecutive Black and White ophthalmic outpatients from the Wills Eye Hospital (Philadelphia, PA.) practices who participated in a long-standing time trade-off (TTO) vision utility study from 1999 to 2016 was undertaken. Each participant was interviewed by a researcher using a previously validated and reliable TTO vision utility acquisition instrument and assigned to 1 of 5 vision categories according to acuity in the best-seeing eye. Utility outcomes were compared using both the 2-sided t test and the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

Eleven hundred and twenty-five consecutive patients able to successfully answer the questions were included. For vision of 20/200-20/800, White/Black mean vision utilities were, respectively, 0.58/0.59 (p = 0.84); for vision of 20/70-20/100, they were, respectively, 0.72/0.70 (p = 0.85); for vision of 20/50-20/60, they were, respectively, 0.78/0.79 (p = 0.86); for vision of 20/25-20/50, they were, respectively, 0.84/0.88 (p = 0.16); and for vision of 20/20, they were, respectively, 0.91/0.90 (p = 0.43).

CONCLUSIONS

TTO vision utilities in Black and White ophthalmic patient cohorts were alike at various levels of visual acuity. This suggests a similar quality of life and that TTO vision utilities used in cost-utility analysis do not require adjustment for race in Black and White ophthalmic populations in the US.

Exercise Self-efficacy Improvements During Cardiac Rehabilitation: IMPACT OF SOCIAL DISPARITIES

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to determine exercise self-efficacy improvements during cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and identify predictors of exercise self-efficacy change in CR participants.

METHODS

Patients with coronary heart disease at four metropolitan CR sites completed the Exercise Self-efficacy Scale at entry and completion. A general linear model identified independent predictors of change in exercise self-efficacy.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients (n = 194) was 65.9 ± 10.5 yr, and 81% were males. The majority (80%) were married or partnered, 76% were White, and 24% were from an ethnic minority background. Patients received CR in-person (n = 91, 47%) or remote-delivered (n = 103, 54%). Exercise self-efficacy mean scores improved significantly from 25.2 ± 5.8 at CR entry to 26.2 ± 6.3 points at completion ( P = .025). The majority of patients (59%) improved their self-efficacy scores, 34% worsened, and 7% had no change. Predictors of reduced exercise self-efficacy change were being from an ethnic minority (B =-2.96), not having a spouse/partner (B =-2.42), attending in-person CR (B =1.75), and having higher exercise self-efficacy at entry (B =-0.37) (adjusted R2 = 0.247).

CONCLUSIONS

Confidence for self-directed exercise improves in most, but not all, patients during CR. Those at risk for poor improvement (ethnic minorities, single patients) may need extra or tailored support, and screening for exercise self-efficacy at CR entry and completion is recommended. Differences identified from CR delivery mode need exploration using robust methods to account for complex factors.

African American Women's Perceptions of Cardiovascular Disease After Myocardial Infarction: A Phenomenological Inquiry

BACKGROUND

The primary cause of death among African American women older than 50 years is cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease affects more than 16.8 million Americans and occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that provide blood to the heart. This often leads to a partial or complete blockage, causing a myocardial infarction (heart attack). There is limited research regarding the lived experiences of African American women before and after a myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of African American women living in the southern region of the United States who have experienced a myocardial infarction.

METHODS

A hermeneutic phenomenological framework guided the study. Semistructured, audiotaped interviews were conducted to elicit narratives from 7 participants. Interview data were transcribed verbatim and then coded and analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological analysis framework.

RESULTS

The findings revealed 6 major themes: life before myocardial infarction, causes of my myocardial infarction, myocardial infarction warning signs, life after myocardial infarction, cardiac rehabilitation, and family support. Lifestyle changes must be implemented to prevent a second blockage. Attending cardiac rehabilitation and incorporating regular physical exercise are recommended to help prevent further heart damage and to improve quality of life.

CHA2DS2-VASc score and exercise capacity of patients with coronary artery disease participating in cardiac rehabilitation programs

BACKGROUND

Exercise based cardiac rehabilitation improves prognosis and quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease. We aimed to investigate whether the CHA2DS2-VASc score may be a predictor of improvement in exercise capacity in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program.

METHODS

Included were patients following a hospital admission due to ACS and were subsequently referred for an exercise based cardiac rehabilitation during 2010-2015. Participants were divided into three groups of low (1-2), intermediate (3) and high (4≤) CHA2DS2-VASc score. Exercise capacity was evaluated by a treadmill stress test at baseline and following 9 months. The primary endpoint was the percent of patients who achieved at least 25% improvement in exercise capacity.

RESULTS

The 597 patients included in the study had a mean age of 65.5±9.3 years and consisted of 22.5% women. The primary endpoint of at least 25% improvement in exercise capacity following 9 months of cardiac rehabilitation occurred more frequently in patients in the high CHA2DS2-VASc group compared to the intermediate and low CHA2DS2-VASc score groups (47.3, 29.9 and 36.1% in the high, intermediate and low CHA2DS2-VASc score groups respectively, P=0.002).

CONCLUSION

The CHA2DS2-VASc score may serve as a predictor of exercise capacity improvement. Its use for tailoring specific cardiac rehabilitation programs for ACS patients may yield further improvement in functional capacity and better utilization of resources.

Assessing and Modifying Coronary Artery Disease Risk in Women

OPINION STATEMENT

Despite continued advances in the field, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in women in the USA with an annual mortality rate that has remained higher for women as compared to men. The factors leading to this sex difference remain incompletely understood. Likely contributors include atypical symptoms at presentation and lack of recognition of cardiovascular risk by women and their providers alike. In addition, women have a higher burden of comorbidities at the time of disease diagnosis and can have differential pathophysiological mechanisms of their acute events. Women also can develop unique cardiovascular risk factors such as preeclampsia and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. As a result, when women present with symptoms, even atypical, healthcare providers should increase their index level of suspicion for cardiovascular disease. Even after diagnosis, women are less likely to receive guideline-directed medical therapies and be referred for coronary angiography or cardiac rehabilitation. Thus, greater awareness of and research into the aspects of coronary disease that remain unique to women is critical, as women presenting with coronary disease continue to receive disparate care as compared to men. Improvements in awareness and care and new research avenues may reduce the incidence and complications of cardiovascular disease among women.

Effect of Chronic Kidney Disease and Supplemental Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Use on Exercise Levels During Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

PURPOSE

The correlation between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and increased cardiovascular disease-related mortality is well established. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves exercise capacity, quality of life, and risk factors in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Data on the benefits of CR in patients with CKD are sparse. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes after CR in patients with CAD but normal renal function, versus those with CAD and CKD.

METHODS

We studied 804 patients with CAD entering an exercise-based CR program. Demographics, risk factors, exercise capacity in metabolic equivalent levels (METs), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were recorded before and after the 3-month CR program. Use of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) was determined by medical records review. Stage III-V CKD (GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m) was present in 170 patients at baseline.

RESULTS

After CR, METs improved in all patients, although increases in patients with a GFR 30 to 59 mL/min/1.73 m (Δ1.6) and a GFR <30 (Δ1.2) were smaller than those in patients with a GFR ≥60 (Δ2.6, P < .05 vs GFR 30-59 and GFR <30). In patients with a GFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m, PUFA use was associated with a 20% greater increase in MET levels compared with nonusers (Δ3.0 vs Δ2.5, P = .02); and in patients with a GFR 30 to 59, PUFA use was associated with 30% increase in MET level compared with nonusers (Δ2.0 vs Δ1.4, P = .03). These observations persisted after multivariable adjustment for baseline MET level, demographics, and risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Potential mitigation by PUFA of the smaller improvement in exercise capacity with decreasing GFR requires confirmation in prospective randomized trials.