Race/ethnic disparities in risk factor control and survival in the bypass angioplasty revascularization investigation 2 diabetes (BARI 2D) trial

Prognostic Impact of Race in Patients Undergoing PCI: Analysis From 10 Randomized Coronary Stent Trials

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess race-based differences in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention from a large pooled database of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND

Data on race-based outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention are limited, deriving mainly from registries and single-center studies.

METHODS

Baseline characteristics and outcomes at 30 days, 1 year, and 5 years were assessed across different races, from an individual patient data pooled analysis from 10 randomized trials. Endpoints of interest included death, myocardial infarction, and major adverse cardiac events (defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to assess associations between race and outcomes, controlling for differences in 12 baseline covariates.

RESULTS

Among 22,638 patients, 20,585 (90.9%) were white, 918 (4.1%) were black, 404 (1.8%) were Asian, and 473 (2.1%) were Hispanic. Baseline and angiographic characteristics differed among groups. Five-year major adverse cardiac event rates were 18.8% in white patients (reference group), compared with 23.9% in black patients (p = 0.0009), 11.2% in Asian patients (p = 0.0007), and 21.5% in Hispanic patients (p = 0.07). Multivariate analysis demonstrated an independent association between black race and 5-year risk for major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio: 1.28; 95% confidence interval: 1.05 to 1.57; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In the present large-scale individual patient data pooled analysis, comorbidities were significantly more frequent in minority-group patients than in white patients enrolled in coronary stent randomized controlled trials. After accounting for these differences, black race was an independent predictor of worse outcomes, whereas Hispanic ethnicity and Asian race were not. Further research examining race-based outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention is warranted to understand these differences.

Insulin and glucose-lowering agents for treating people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is the commonest cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Both conditions commonly co-exist. Glucometabolic changes and concurrent dialysis in diabetes and CKD make glucose-lowering challenging, increasing the risk of hypoglycaemia. Glucose-lowering agents have been mainly studied in people with near-normal kidney function. It is important to characterise existing knowledge of glucose-lowering agents in CKD to guide treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the efficacy and safety of insulin and other pharmacological interventions for lowering glucose levels in people with diabetes and CKD.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Register of Studies up to 12 February 2018 through contact with the Information Specialist using search terms relevant to this review. Studies in the Register are identified through searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs looking at head-to-head comparisons of active regimens of glucose-lowering therapy or active regimen compared with placebo/standard care in people with diabetes and CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) were eligible.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Four authors independently assessed study eligibility, risk of bias, and quality of data and performed data extraction. Continuous outcomes were expressed as post-treatment mean differences (MD). Adverse events were expressed as post-treatment absolute risk differences (RD). Dichotomous clinical outcomes were presented as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

MAIN RESULTS

Forty-four studies (128 records, 13,036 participants) were included. Nine studies compared sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors to placebo; 13 studies compared dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors to placebo; 2 studies compared glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists to placebo; 8 studies compared glitazones to no glitazone treatment; 1 study compared glinide to no glinide treatment; and 4 studies compared different types, doses or modes of administration of insulin. In addition, 2 studies compared sitagliptin to glipizide; and 1 study compared each of sitagliptin to insulin, glitazars to pioglitazone, vildagliptin to sitagliptin, linagliptin to voglibose, and albiglutide to sitagliptin. Most studies had a high risk of bias due to funding and attrition bias, and an unclear risk of detection bias.Compared to placebo, SGLT2 inhibitors probably reduce HbA1c (7 studies, 1092 participants: MD -0.29%, -0.38 to -0.19 (-3.2 mmol/mol, -4.2 to -2.2); I2 = 0%), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (5 studies, 855 participants: MD -0.48 mmol/L, -0.78 to -0.19; I2 = 0%), systolic blood pressure (BP) (7 studies, 1198 participants: MD -4.68 mmHg, -6.69 to -2.68; I2 = 40%), diastolic BP (6 studies, 1142 participants: MD -1.72 mmHg, -2.77 to -0.66; I2 = 0%), heart failure (3 studies, 2519 participants: RR 0.59, 0.41 to 0.87; I2 = 0%), and hyperkalaemia (4 studies, 2788 participants: RR 0.58, 0.42 to 0.81; I2 = 0%); but probably increase genital infections (7 studies, 3086 participants: RR 2.50, 1.52 to 4.11; I2 = 0%), and creatinine (4 studies, 848 participants: MD 3.82 μmol/L, 1.45 to 6.19; I2 = 16%) (all effects of moderate certainty evidence). SGLT2 inhibitors may reduce weight (5 studies, 1029 participants: MD -1.41 kg, -1.8 to -1.02; I2 = 28%) and albuminuria (MD -8.14 mg/mmol creatinine, -14.51 to -1.77; I2 = 11%; low certainty evidence). SGLT2 inhibitors may have little or no effect on the risk of cardiovascular death, hypoglycaemia, acute kidney injury (AKI), and urinary tract infection (low certainty evidence). It is uncertain whether SGLT2 inhibitors have any effect on death, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), hypovolaemia, fractures, diabetic ketoacidosis, or discontinuation due to adverse effects (very low certainty evidence).Compared to placebo, DPP-4 inhibitors may reduce HbA1c (7 studies, 867 participants: MD -0.62%, -0.85 to -0.39 (-6.8 mmol/mol, -9.3 to -4.3); I2 = 59%) but may have little or no effect on FBG (low certainty evidence). DPP-4 inhibitors probably have little or no effect on cardiovascular death (2 studies, 5897 participants: RR 0.93, 0.77 to 1.11; I2 = 0%) and weight (2 studies, 210 participants: MD 0.16 kg, -0.58 to 0.90; I2 = 29%; moderate certainty evidence). Compared to placebo, DPP-4 inhibitors may have little or no effect on heart failure, upper respiratory tract infections, and liver impairment (low certainty evidence). Compared to placebo, it is uncertain whether DPP-4 inhibitors have any effect on eGFR, hypoglycaemia, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, or discontinuation due to adverse effects (very low certainty evidence).Compared to placebo, GLP-1 agonists probably reduce HbA1c (7 studies, 867 participants: MD -0.53%, -1.01 to -0.06 (-5.8 mmol/mol, -11.0 to -0.7); I2 = 41%; moderate certainty evidence) and may reduce weight (low certainty evidence). GLP-1 agonists may have little or no effect on eGFR, hypoglycaemia, or discontinuation due to adverse effects (low certainty evidence). It is uncertain whether GLP-1 agonists reduce FBG, increase gastrointestinal symptoms, or affect the risk of pancreatitis (very low certainty evidence).Compared to placebo, it is uncertain whether glitazones have any effect on HbA1c, FBG, death, weight, and risk of hypoglycaemia (very low certainty evidence).Compared to glipizide, sitagliptin probably reduces hypoglycaemia (2 studies, 551 participants: RR 0.40, 0.23 to 0.69; I2 = 0%; moderate certainty evidence). Compared to glipizide, sitagliptin may have had little or no effect on HbA1c, FBG, weight, and eGFR (low certainty evidence). Compared to glipizide, it is uncertain if sitagliptin has any effect on death or discontinuation due to adverse effects (very low certainty).For types, dosages or modes of administration of insulin and other head-to-head comparisons only individual studies were available so no conclusions could be made.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Evidence concerning the efficacy and safety of glucose-lowering agents in diabetes and CKD is limited. SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists are probably efficacious for glucose-lowering and DPP-4 inhibitors may be efficacious for glucose-lowering. Additionally, SGLT2 inhibitors probably reduce BP, heart failure, and hyperkalaemia but increase genital infections, and slightly increase creatinine. The safety profile for GLP-1 agonists is uncertain. No further conclusions could be made for the other classes of glucose-lowering agents including insulin. More high quality studies are required to help guide therapeutic choice for glucose-lowering in diabetes and CKD.

A National Assessment of Medication Adherence to Statins by the Racial Composition of Neighborhoods

Adherence to statins is lower in black and Hispanic patients and is linked to racial/ethnic disparities in cardiovascular mortality. Poverty, education, and prescription coverage differentials are typically invoked to explain adherence disparities, but analyses at the level of neighborhoods and their pharmacies may provide additional insights. Among individuals filling new statin prescriptions in a national pharmacy chain (N = 326,171), we compared adherence for patients residing in mostly minority neighborhoods to those living in mainly white areas. In analyses adjusting for patient-level factors associated with poor adherence, including age, insurance, payer, prescription cost, and convenience, patients residing in black and Hispanic neighborhoods had 2-3 weeks less statin therapy over 1 year, a pattern not seen in Asian areas. In black and Hispanic neighborhoods, good adherence was associated with co-pays under $10, the use of 90-day refills, and payers other than Medicaid. Efforts to improve medication adherence for vulnerable populations may benefit from interventions at the level of local pharmacies, as well as medication benefit redesign.

Population-level differences in revascularization treatment and outcomes among various United States subpopulations

Despite recent general improvements in health care, significant disparities persist in the cardiovascular care of women and racial/ethnic minorities. This is true even when income, education level, and site of care are taken into consideration. Possible explanations for these disparities include socioeconomic considerations, elements of discrimination and racism that affect socioeconomic status, and access to adequate medical care. Coronary revascularization has become the accepted and recommended treatment for myocardial infarction (MI) today and is one of the most common major medical interventions in the United States, with more than 1 million procedures each year. This review discusses recent data on disparities in co-morbidities and presentation symptoms, care and access to medical resources, and outcomes in revascularization as treatment for acute coronary syndrome, looking especially at women and minority populations in the United States. The data show that revascularization is used less in both female and minority patients. We summarize recent data on disparities in co-morbidities and presentation symptoms related to MI; access to care, medical resources, and treatments; and outcomes in women, blacks, and Hispanics. The picture is complicated among the last group by the many Hispanic/Latino subgroups in the United States. Some differences in outcomes are partially explained by presentation symptoms and co-morbidities and external conditions such as local hospital capacity. Of particular note is the striking differential in both presentation co-morbidities and mortality rates seen in women, compared to men, especially in women ≤ 55 years of age. Surveillance data on other groups in the United States such as American Indians/Alaska Natives and the many Asian subpopulations show disparities in risk factors and co-morbidities, but revascularization as treatment for MI in these populations has not been adequately studied. Significant research is required to understand the extent of disparities in treatment in these subpopulations.

Systematic Review of Therapies for Stable Coronary Artery Disease in Diabetic Patients

Diabetes mellitus is a significant risk modifier for stable coronary artery disease, causing patients to have more extensive and diffuse lesions. Opposing treatment strategies remain a matter of debate. A multiple database search was conducted and outcomes, lesion, and patient characteristics were compared. Overall mortality, cardiac death, major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, and need for revascularization were higher with percutaneous coronary intervention than with coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Multivessel disease and high Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) scores were associated with better outcomes for coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Differential Outcomes by Race and Ethnicity in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: A Contemporary Review

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death for people of most ethnicities in the USA. However, several racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately burdened by CHD and experience higher mortality rates and rehospitalization rates compared with whites. Contemporary CHD research has been dedicated in part to broadening our understanding of the root causes of racial and ethnic disparities in CHD outcomes. Several factors contribute, including socioeconomic and comorbid conditions. These factors may be amenable to change, and targets for initiatives to reduce disparities and improve CHD outcomes. In this article, we review the recently published research related to the distribution and determinants of racial and ethnic differences in CHD outcomes in the USA.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease: An Assessment of Obstetrician-Gynecologists' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Patterns

BACKGROUND

African American and Hispanic women are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its many risk factors. Obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs) play an integral role in well-woman care and have a unique opportunity to provide CVD counseling and screening to these at-risk and underserved groups.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether OB/GYN race/ethnicity and OB/GYN practices with increasing minority patient populations predicted differences in OB/GYNs' knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns relevant to racial/ethnic disparities in CVD. This study also sought to determine provider and patient-related barriers to CVD care.

METHOD

A questionnaire on CVD was mailed to 273 members of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in March-July 2013.

RESULTS

African American and Hispanic OB/GYNs and OB/GYN practices with increasing minority patient populations were more knowledgeable of CVD disparities. These OB/GYNs reported greater concern for minority women's CVD risk relative to White OB/GYNs. Overall, OB/GYNs appear less knowledgeable and concerned with Hispanics' increased CVD risk relative to African Americans'. The most commonly reported provider and patient-related barriers to CVD care were time constraints, patient nonadherence to treatment recommendations, and inadequate training.

CONCLUSION

It is likely that minority OB/GYNs and those with practices with increasing minority patient populations have greater exposure to women at risk for CVD. Dissemination of educational information regarding Hispanic women's CVD risk profile may improve OB/GYN knowledge, counseling, and screening. Increased training in CVD and multicultural competency during medical school and residency should help OB/GYNs overcome what they report as primary barriers to CVD care.

Factors associated with in-hospital mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with CHD and type 2 diabetes

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the main method used for myocardial revascularisation in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), and determining the factors affecting the outcomes of CABG in these patients is important. Objective. To identify risk factors for in-hospital mortality after coronary artery surgery (CABG) for patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods. A retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients who underwent CABG from 2006 to 2009 was conducted. From these, 317 patients with T2DM were selected (median age: 59,0 years). As a control group, 350 patients (median age: 58,0 years) without diabetes or pre-diabetes, who were matched by sex, age and CABG characteristics, were selected. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors possibly associated with in-hospital mortality. Results. There were no group differences for the frequency of postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality (p >0,05). During the early postoperative period, 5 (1,6%) diabetic and 7 (2,0%) non-diabetic patients died (p=0,682). By the logistic regression analysis, T2DM did not predict patient mortality (p=0,458). Among the patients with T2DM, a risk of death was associated with a stroke history (OR 21,661; 95% CI 1,701-76,521; р=0,013), and a decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as estimated by the CKD-EPI equation (OR 1,512 per 5 ml/min/1,73m2.  decrease; 95% CI 1,017-2,257; р=0,048), independent of gender, age or triple-vessel and left-main disease. By multivariate analysis for the non-diabetic patients, the risk of death increased by more than 10 times because of reinfarction (OR=10,272; 95% CI: 1,258?56,163; p=0,029) and increased by 6,8 times with an increase in preoperative fibrinogen levels of 1 g/l (OR=6,802; 95% CI: 1,283?35,714; p=0,024), independent of gender, age, smoking or mitral valve regurgitation. Conclusions. T2DM was not a predictor of death during the early period after CABG. For the diabetic patients, independent predictors of in-hospital mortality after CABG were stroke history and reduced GFR. For the patients without T2DM, the independent predictors were reinfarction and preoperative fibrinogen levels.