Explaining the fall in Coronary Heart Disease mortality in the Republic of Ireland between 2000 and 2015 - IMPACT modelling study

Barriers to brain health behaviours: results from the Five Lives Brain Health Ireland Survey

Modifiable risk factors for dementia remain prevalent in Ireland. A detailed examination of barriers to risk reduction behaviours in an Irish context has heretofore been lacking. Many existing studies examining barriers to brain health behaviours fail to examine how they might vary across different modifiable risk factors. This study undertook a detailed assessment of barriers to individual risk reduction behaviours. As existing research suggests that barriers may vary across sociodemographic factors, we sought to investigate the distribution of barriers across age, gender, educational status, and household income. The Five Lives Brain Health Ireland Survey is a cross-sectional survey that was distributed online amongst a non-patient population. The survey captured the following: (1) Sociodemographic factors; (2) Barriers to brain health behaviours; (3) Exposure to, and knowledge of, modifiable risk factors for dementia, namely diet, social interaction, exercise, hypertension, sleep, current low mood/depression, current smoking, alcohol consumption, cognitive stimulation, hearing impairment, diabetes, air pollution, and head injury; (4) Participants' perceptions regarding potential for dementia prevention, and risk reduction. Lack of motivation was the most prevalent barrier to consuming a healthy diet (64%, n = 213), physical activity (77.7%, n = 167), smoking cessation (68%, n = 85), and moderation of alcohol intake (56.3%, n = 67). Practical factors were the most prevalent barriers to addressing low mood (56.5%, n = 87), air pollution (30.1%, n = 58), hearing impairment (63.8%, n = 44), diabetes (11.1%, n = 5), and head injury (80%, n = 8). Emotional factors were the most prevalent barriers to engaging in mentally stimulating activity (56.9%, n = 66), social activity (54.9%, n = 302), and good sleep (70.1%, n = 129). Lack of knowledge was the most prevalent barrier to hypertension control (14.4%, n = 29). Distribution of barriers varied across age, gender, educational status, and household income. This study investigated barriers to lifestyle change to improve brain health in an Irish sample of adults aged 50 and above. Detailed subtyping of barriers, as well as examination of differences according to age, gender, education, and income were undertaken. The heterogeneity of barriers to brain health behaviours revealed in this study highlights the necessity to tailor public health interventions to their target population, taking into account the gender, age, educational status, and income of recipients.

Adherence to secondary prevention measures after acute coronary syndrome in patients associated exclusively with the public and private healthcare systems in Brazil

Adherence to secondary prevention measures after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is essential to prevent disease recurrence. In Brazil, the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS, in Portuguese), and the private healthcare system (PHCS) coexist. We aimed to evaluate the adherence to secondary prevention in patients with ACS who were assisted by either SUS or PHCS. In this longitudinal prospective study, patients with ACS were admitted to the four cardiological reference hospitals of Sergipe, three of which assisted PHCS users, and one, SUS users. We analyzed the two patient care models with multiple logistic regression models for adherence to physical activity, pharmacotherapy, and smoking cessation. We enrolled 581 volunteers in this study: 44.1 % from SUS and 55.9 % from PHCS. PHCS users showed greater adherence to pharmacotherapy at both 30 and 180 (p = 0.001) days after ACS with better results in all classes of medications (p < 0.05) than SUS users did. They also showed better adherence to physical activity (p = 0.047). There was no distinction between the groups regarding smoking cessation. The secondary prevention measures after ACS were more effective in PHCS users than in SUS users due to better adherence, especially to pharmacotherapy and regular physical activity.

Adherence to secondary prevention recommendations after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to assess and evaluate adherence to secondary prevention recommendations and risk factor modifications among a patient cohort at a single-tertiary centre in Ireland, following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

METHODS

This is a retrospective observational study analysing patients who had CABG from 2015 to 2020, identified via the Adult Cardiac Surgery Database. Patients were asked a number of questions either over the phone or via postal survey, regarding blood pressure, cholesterol control, adherence to medication, attendance at cardiac-rehab and lifestyle factors. Any repeat interventions following CABG were noted.

RESULTS

A total of 540 patients were invited to take part in this study. One hundred seventy-three patients consented to participate, ranging from 47 to 86 years old. Postoperatively, 59% of participants attended cardiac rehab. 90.2% of patients report taking a statin, 91.3% report taking an antiplatelet, 77.4% report taking a β-blocker and 75.7% take an antihypertensive. 93.1% of patients questioned in this study reported full compliance with their daily medications. Sixteen patients continue to have hypertension despite their current regimen. Thirteen patients continue to have hypercholesterolemia despite their current prescription. 62.4% of participants have quit smoking with only 4.6% remaining current smokers. No patients required re-operation, and eight patients required stenting. Compliance with diet and exercise modifications was suboptimal.

CONCLUSION

In this patient population, adherence to medication and control of risk factors is acceptable. However, there is room for improvement in terms of attendance at cardiac rehab (59%) and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle post-CABG.

Quality of Life among Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes Receiving Care from Public and Private Health Care Systems in Brazil

(1) Background: Quality of life (QOL) is used as a health indicator to assess the effectiveness and impact of therapies in certain groups of patients. This study aimed to analyze the QOL of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who received medical treatment by a public or private health care system. (2) Methods: This observational, prospective, longitudinal study was carried out in four referral hospitals providing cardiology services in Sergipe, Brazil. QoL was evaluated using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. The volunteers were divided into two groups (public or private health care group) according to the type of health care provided. Multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate QoL at 180 days after ACS. (3) Results: A total of 581 patients were eligible, including 44.1% and 55.9% for public and private health care, respectively. At 180 days after ACS, the public health care group had lower QoL scores for all domains (functional capacity, physical aspects, pain, general health status, vitality, social condition, emotional profile, and health) (p < 0.05) than the private group. The highest QoL level was associated with male sex (p < 0.05) and adherence to physical activity (p ≤ 0.003) for all assessed domains. (4) Conclusions: This shows that social factors and health status disparities influence QoL after ACS in Sergipe.

Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease in Europe

This Review presents data describing the health burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) within and across the WHO European Region. CVD remains the most common cause of death in the region. Deaths from CVD in those aged <70 years, commonly referred to as premature, are a particular concern, with >60 million potential years of life lost to CVD in Europe annually. Although more women than men die from CVD, age-standardized rates of both morbidity and death are higher in men, and these differences in rates are greatest in individuals aged <70 years. Large inequalities in all measures of morbidity, treatment and mortality can be found between countries across the continent and must be a focus for improving health. Large differences also exist in the data available between countries. The development and implementation of evidence-based preventive and treatment approaches must be supported in all countries by consistent surveillance and monitoring, such that we can quantify the health burden of CVD as well as target interventions and provide impetus for action across Europe.

Association between the platelet-lymphocyte ratio and short-term mortality in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background

Previous studies have shown that inflammation plays an important role in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been reported as a novel inflammatory marker. However, it is not clear whether PLR is associated with short‐term all‐cause mortality in critically ill patients with non‐ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

Methods

The data for the study is from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database. The primary outcome in our study was 28‐day mortality. Kapan‐Meier curve, lowess smoother curve, and multivariate Cox regression models were used to determine whether the association between PLR and 28‐day mortality of critically ill patients with NSTEMI.

Results

A total of 1273 critically ill patients with NSTEMI were included in this analysis. Kapan‐Meier curve and lowess smoother curve show that high PLR is associated with an increased risk of 28‐day all‐cause mortality. The study population is divided into two groups according to the cut‐off value of PLR level. In the Cox model, high PLR levels (PLR≥195.8) were significantly associated with increased 28‐day mortality (HR 1.54; 95%CI 1.09–2.18, p = .013). In quartile analyses, the HR (95% CI) for the third (183 ≤ PLR < 306) and fourth quartile (PLR≥306) was 1.55 (1.05–2.29) and 1.61 (1.03–2.52), respectively, compared to the reference group(111 ≤ PLR < 183). In subgroup analyses, there is no interaction effect in most of the subgroups except for respiratory failure and vasopressor use.

Conclusion

High PLR is associated with an increased risk of short‐term mortality in critically ill patients with NSTEMI.

The rise of metastatic bone disease in Ireland

To describe the expected rise of metastatic bone disease in Ireland, the relative primary types, and the locations of spread within the skeleton. This was a population-based epidemiological study using cancer registry data. We included patients with known metastatic cancer to bone, within 1 year of the primary diagnosis, during the years 1994 to 2012 inclusive. Our main outcome measures were age-specific, gender-specific and age-standardised incidence rates of bone metastasis, primary types and metastatic location within the skeleton. There were 14,495 recognised cases of bone metastasis in Ireland, 1994-2012 inclusive. Cases consistently rose over the time period, with 108% case increase and 51% age-standardised incidence rise. Annual percentage change increased across both genders and over all age groups. Most of this rise was not due to demographic population change. Breast, prostate and lung accounted for the majority of primary types. GI cancers were the fourth most common primary type. There were proportional increases in breast and lung, with proportional decreases in prostate. The spine was the major metastatic site. Bone metastasis is a significant and rising healthcare concern in Ireland. This rise is disproportionate to demographic changes. Breast, prostate and lung cancers account for the majority. GI cancers are implicated in an unexpectedly high number of cases. Spine is the most common location of bony metastasis, especially at presentation. Prudent healthcare planning is necessitated to prepare for the growing consequences of bone metastasis in cancer patients.