Recurrence of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes: epidemiology and risk factors

Are cardiac rehabilitation pathways influenced by diabetes: A cohort study

BACKGROUND

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is recommended following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Diabetes is a common long-term condition associated with ACS, and the inclusion of these patients in CR has been less studied. This study examines the referral, uptake, and completion rates in the CR pathway for ACS patients with and without diabetes to identify potential barriers in the CR pathway.

METHODS

The study included patients aged 18 or above who were discharged after a diagnosis of ACS in the Central Denmark Region between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018. Diabetes information was obtained from three sources. Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between having diabetes and the three outcomes: non-referral, non-uptake and non-completion. Results were reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

A total of 2447 patients were eligible for the study, of which 457 (18.7%) had diabetes. Only non-uptake was found to be significantly associated with diabetes after adjustment for prespecified variables (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.01-1.90). Associations for non-referral (OR = 1.11, 95% CI 0.87-1.41) and non-completion (OR = 1.06, 95 %CI 0.73-1.53) were not found to be statistically significant between ACS patients with diabetes and those without diabetes.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights a significant disparity in the uptake of CR between patients with and without diabetes following ACS, demonstrating that patients with diabetes require early promotion and increased assistance to enrol in CR.

Novel insights into transfer RNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA) in cardio-metabolic diseases

Cardio-metabolic diseases, including a cluster of metabolic disorders and their secondary affections on cardiovascular physiology, are gradually brought to the forefront by researchers due to their high prevalence and mortality, as well as an unidentified pathogenesis. tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs), cleaved by several specific enzymes and once considered as some "metabolic junks" in the past, have been proved to possess numerous functions in human bodies. More interestingly, such a potential also seems to influence the progression of cardio-metabolic diseases to some extent. In this review, the biogenesis, classification and mechanisms of tsRNAs will be discussed based on some latest studies, and their relations with several cardio-metabolic diseases will be highlighted in sequence. Lastly, some future prospects, such as their clinical applications as biomarkers and therapeutic targets will also be mentioned, in order to provide researchers with a comprehensive understanding of the research status of tsRNAs as well as its association with cardio-metabolic diseases, thus presenting as a beacon to indicate directions for the next stage of study.

Precision prognostics for cardiovascular disease in Type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Precision medicine has the potential to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction in individuals with Type 2 diabetes (T2D).

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies to identify potentially novel prognostic factors that may improve CVD risk prediction in T2D. Out of 9380 studies identified, 416 studies met inclusion criteria. Outcomes were reported for 321 biomarker studies, 48 genetic marker studies, and 47 risk score/model studies.

RESULTS

Out of all evaluated biomarkers, only 13 showed improvement in prediction performance. Results of pooled meta-analyses, non-pooled analyses, and assessments of improvement in prediction performance and risk of bias, yielded the highest predictive utility for N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (high-evidence), troponin-T (TnT) (moderate-evidence), triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index (moderate-evidence), Genetic Risk Score for Coronary Heart Disease (GRS-CHD) (moderate-evidence); moderate predictive utility for coronary computed tomography angiography (low-evidence), single-photon emission computed tomography (low-evidence), pulse wave velocity (moderate-evidence); and low predictive utility for C-reactive protein (moderate-evidence), coronary artery calcium score (low-evidence), galectin-3 (low-evidence), troponin-I (low-evidence), carotid plaque (low-evidence), and growth differentiation factor-15 (low-evidence). Risk scores showed modest discrimination, with lower performance in populations different from the original development cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite high interest in this topic, very few studies conducted rigorous analyses to demonstrate incremental predictive utility beyond established CVD risk factors for T2D. The most promising markers identified were NT-proBNP, TnT, TyG and GRS-CHD, with the highest strength of evidence for NT-proBNP. Further research is needed to determine their clinical utility in risk stratification and management of CVD in T2D.

Precision Prognostics for Cardiovascular Disease in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background Precision medicine has the potential to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies to identify potentially novel prognostic factors that may improve CVD risk prediction in T2D. Out of 9380 studies identified, 416 studies met inclusion criteria. Outcomes were reported for 321 biomarker studies, 48 genetic marker studies, and 47 risk score/model studies. Results Out of all evaluated biomarkers, only 13 showed improvement in prediction performance. Results of pooled meta-analyses, non-pooled analyses, and assessments of improvement in prediction performance and risk of bias, yielded the highest predictive utility for N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (high-evidence), troponin-T (TnT) (moderate-evidence), triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index (moderate-evidence), Genetic Risk Score for Coronary Heart Disease (GRS-CHD) (moderate-evidence); moderate predictive utility for coronary computed tomography angiography (low-evidence), single-photon emission computed tomography (low-evidence), pulse wave velocity (moderate-evidence); and low predictive utility for C-reactive protein (moderate-evidence), coronary artery calcium score (low-evidence), galectin-3 (low-evidence), troponin-I (low-evidence), carotid plaque (low-evidence), and growth differentiation factor-15 (low-evidence). Risk scores showed modest discrimination, with lower performance in populations different from the original development cohort. Conclusions Despite high interest in this topic, very few studies conducted rigorous analyses to demonstrate incremental predictive utility beyond established CVD risk factors for T2D. The most promising markers identified were NT-proBNP, TnT, TyG and GRS-CHD, with the highest strength of evidence for NT-proBNP. Further research is needed to determine their clinical utility in risk stratification and management of CVD in T2D.

Association of ABO blood groups with venous thrombosis recurrence in middle-aged patients: insights from a weighted Cox analysis dedicated to ambispective design

BACKGROUND

In studies of time-to-events, it is common to collect information about events that occurred before the inclusion in a prospective cohort. When the studied risk factors are independent of time, including both pre- and post-inclusion events in the analyses, generally referred to as relying on an ambispective design, increases the statistical power but may lead to a selection bias. In the field of venous thromboembolism (VT), ABO blood groups have been the subject of extensive research due to their substantial effect on VT risk. However, few studies have investigated their effect on the risk of VT recurrence. Motivated by the study of the association of genetically determined ABO blood groups with VT recurrence, we propose a methodology to include pre-inclusion events in the analysis of ambispective studies while avoiding the selection bias due to mortality.

METHODS

This work relies on two independent cohorts of VT patients, the French MARTHA study built on an ambispective design and the Dutch MEGA study built on a standard prospective design. For the analysis of the MARTHA study, a weighted Cox model was developed where weights were defined by the inverse of the survival probability at the time of data collection about the events. Thanks to the collection of information on the vital status of patients, we could estimate the survival probabilities using a delayed-entry Cox model on the death risk. Finally, results obtained in both studies were then meta-analysed.

RESULTS

In the combined sample totalling 2,752 patients including 993 recurrences, the A1 blood group has an increased risk (Hazard Ratio (HR) of 1.18, p = 4.2 × 10^-3) compared with the O1 group, homogeneously in MARTHA and in MEGA. The same trend (HR = 1.19, p = 0.06) was observed for the less frequent A2 group.

CONCLUSION

The proposed methodology increases the power of studies relying on an ambispective design which is frequent in epidemiologic studies about recurrent events. This approach allowed to clarify the association of ABO blood groups with the risk of VT recurrence. Besides, this methodology has an immediate field of application in the context of genome wide association studies.

Comparative effectiveness of Empagliflozin in reducing the burden of recurrent cardiovascular hospitalizations among older adults with diabetes in routine clinical care

BACKGROUND

The effect of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on the total (first and recurrent) burden of cardiovascular (CV) hospitalizations, including hospitalization for heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke, is poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of empagliflozin, an SGLT2i, on total CV hospitalizations among older adults with T2D.

METHODS

Using data from Medicare fee-for-service (08/2014-09/2017), we identified 1:1 propensity score-matched cohorts of patients with T2D initiating empagliflozin versus sitagliptin or empagliflozin versus glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), balancing >140 baseline covariates. We compared the risk of first and recurrent hospitalizations with any CV condition as the primary discharge diagnosis (ICD-9: 390-459; ICD-10: I00-I99), hospitalizations for heart failure (HHF), and myocardial infarctions (MI) or stroke. We estimated treatment effects based on the Ghosh-Lin semiparametric model for recurrent events as primary and joint frailty model as secondary analysis.

RESULTS

We included 11,429 matched-pairs of empagliflozin and sitagliptin initiators and 17,502 matched-pairs of empagliflozin and GLP1-RA initiators with an average age of 72 years. Empagliflozin was associated with a reduced risk of total CV hospitalizations (0.80 [0.69-0.93] vs sitagliptin; 0.88 [0.77-1.00] vs GLP-1RA) and total HHF (0.70 [0.51-0.98] vs sitagliptin; 0.76 [0.56-1.03] vs GLP1-RA) over a mean follow up of 6.3 months. No differences between treatments were observed for MI or stroke. Results were consistent for joint frailty models.

CONCLUSION

Empagliflozin, compared to sitagliptin or to a lesser extent GLP1-RA, was associated with a reduction in the burden of total CV hospitalizations and HHF in older patients with T2D.

Effect of Canagliflozin on Total Cardiovascular Burden in Patients With Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Post Hoc Analysis From the CREDENCE Trial

Background

The sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor canagliflozin reduced the risk of first cardiovascular composite events in the CREDENCE (Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes With Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation) trial. In this post hoc analysis, we evaluated the effect of canagliflozin on total (first and recurrent) cardiovascular events.

Methods and Results

The CREDENCE trial compared canagliflozin or matching placebo in 4401 patients with type 2 diabetes, albuminuria, and estimated glomerular filtration rate of 30 to <90 mL/min per 1.73 m², over a median of 2.6 years. The primary outcome was analyzed as a composite of any cardiovascular event including myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for heart failure, hospitalization for unstable angina, and cardiovascular death. Negative binomial regression models were used to assess the effect of canagliflozin on the net burden of cardiovascular events. During the trial, 634 patients had 883 cardiovascular events, of whom 472 (74%) had just 1 cardiovascular event and 162 (26%) had multiple cardiovascular events. Canagliflozin reduced first cardiovascular events by 26% (hazard ratio, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.63–0.86]; P<0.001) and total cardiovascular events by 29% (incidence rate ratio, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.59–0.86]; P<0.001). The absolute risk difference per 1000 patients treated over 2.5 years was −44 (95% CI, −67 to −21) first cardiovascular events and −73 (95% CI, −114 to −33) total events.

Conclusions

Canagliflozin reduced cardiovascular events, with a larger absolute benefit for total cardiovascular than first cardiovascular events. These findings provide further support for the benefit of continuing canagliflozin therapy after an initial event to prevent recurrent cardiovascular events.

Registration Information

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique Identifier: NCT02065791.

Adipokines, adiposity, and atherosclerosis

Characterized by a surplus of whole-body adiposity, obesity is strongly associated with the prognosis of atherosclerosis, a hallmark of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the major contributor to cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Adipose tissue serves a primary role as a lipid-storage organ, secreting cytokines known as adipokines that affect whole-body metabolism, inflammation, and endocrine functions. Emerging evidence suggests that adipokines can play important roles in atherosclerosis development, progression, as well as regression. Here, we review the versatile functions of various adipokines in atherosclerosis and divide these respective functions into three major groups: protective, deteriorative, and undefined. The protective adipokines represented here are adiponectin, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21), C1q tumor necrosis factor-related protein 9 (CTRP9), and progranulin, while the deteriorative adipokines listed include leptin, chemerin, resistin, Interleukin- 6 (IL-6), and more, with additional adipokines that have unclear roles denoted as undefined adipokines. Comprehensively categorizing adipokines in the context of atherosclerosis can help elucidate the various pathways involved and potentially pave novel therapeutic approaches to treat CVDs.

Prevalence, prescriptions, outcomes and costs of type 2 diabetes patients with or without prior coronary artery disease or stroke: a longitudinal 5-year claims-data analysis of over 7 million inhabitants

AIMS

To analyze the prevalence, comorbidities, outcomes and costs of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with and without coronary artery disease (CAD) or stroke in a population of over 7 million inhabitants.

METHODS

T2DM patients were identified in 2015 (accrual period) from the Ricerca e Salute (ReS) database linking administrative records to demographics. Based on 2013-2015 information, four cohorts were considered: #1 with CAD and/or stroke; #2 without CAD and/or stroke; #3 with chronic CAD but no myocardial infarction or stroke; #4 with chronic CAD undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Hospitalizations, drugs and other outpatient care were assessed from 2015 to 2017.

RESULTS

The prevalence of T2DM was 6% (441,085/7,365,954). CAD and/or stroke in the previous 3 years affected 7.5% of T2DM patients (33,153); this cohort was generally older, of male sex, with more comorbidities, prescriptions, and hospital admissions (50.5% versus 13.4% during the first follow-up year) compared to cohort #2. Yearly costs were over three-fold for cohort #1 versus #2, main drivers being hospitalizations in the former and drugs in the latter. Two-year cardiovascular events were recorded significantly more commonly in cohort #4 compared to the other cohorts. Guideline-recommended lipid-lowering therapy was <80% in all but cohort #4.

CONCLUSIONS

The present analysis points to three areas of potential improvement in T2DM management: (a) guideline-recommended treatment patterns of T2DM patients; (b) three-fold recurrences and costs in T2DM patients with, compared to those without, prior cardiovascular events; (c) high event rates associated with chronic CAD and PCI, warranting specific studies aimed at improved prevention.

Comparing the incidence of major cardiovascular events and severe microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) causes both macrovascular and microvascular complications. However, currently, selection of glycemic measures and their thresholds to diagnose T2DM, and efficacy outcomes in evaluation of anti-diabetic drugs is predominantly informed by the relation of T2DM to microvascular complications. We can be severely mistaken on T2DM by neglecting macrovascular complications which are generally more severe, if they also occur more commonly than microvascular complications.

AIM

To compare the incidence of major cardiovascular events (MACEs) and severe microvascular complications (SMICs) in T2DM patients.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to September 2017. Cohort studies or trials of T2DM patients aged 18 years or older that reported incidence of both MACEs and SMICs were included. MACEs were defined as nonfatal myocardial infarction and stroke, and cardiovascular death, while SMICs included serious retinopathy, nephropathy and diabetic disorder. The relative risk (RR) was estimated as the incidence of MACEs divided by that of SMICs in same patients and combined with meta-analysis in a random-effect model.

RESULTS

Twelve studies with a total of 16 cohorts and 387376 patients were included, and the combined RR was 2.02 (95%CI: 1.46–2.79). The higher incidence of MACEs remained in various subgroup and sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSION

Patients with T2DM are much more likely to develop MACEs than SMICs. By taking more serious consequences and relatively higher incidence into consideration, macrovascular complications deserve more emphasis in developing the diagnostic criteria of T2DM and in evaluating the efficacy of anti-diabetic drugs.

Predictors of Recurrent Ischemic Stroke in Obese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Population-based Study

BACKGROUND

Diabetes and obesity are established risk factors for stroke. The current study aimed to assess risk factors of ischemic stroke recurrence in diabetic patients based on their body mass index (BMI).

METHODS

A total of 4005 diabetic patients who had a history of ischemic stroke were identified in a retrospective cross-sectional dataset from the Malaysian National Neurology Registry. Patients were classified based on BMI, and multivariable regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between risk factors and recurrent ischemic stroke.

RESULTS

Among obese patients, those with ischemic heart disease (aOR, 1.873; 95% CI, 1.131-3.103), received formal education (aOR, 2.236; 95% CI, 1.306-3.830), and received anti-diabetic medication (aOR, 1.788; 95% CI, 1.180-2.708) had a higher stroke recurrence risk, while receiving angiotensin receptors blockers (aOR, 0.261; 95% CI, 0.126-0.543) lowered the odds of recurrence. Overweight patients with hypertension (aOR, 1.011; 95% CI, 1.002-1.019) for over 10 years (aOR, 3.385; 95% CI, 1.088-10.532) and diabetes prior to the first stroke (aOR, 1.823; 95% CI, 1.020-3.259) as well as those received formal education (aOR, 2.403; 95% CI, 1.126-5.129) had higher odds of stroke recurrence, while receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (aOR, 0.244; 95% CI, 0.111-0.538) lowered the recurrence risk. Normal weight East Malaysians (aOR, 0.351; 95% CI, 0.164-0.750) receiving beta-blockers (aOR, 0.410; 95% CI, 0.174-0.966) had lower odds of stroke recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Ischemic heart disease, hypertension, receiving anti-hypertensive agents, and educational level were independent predictors of recurrent stroke in obese patients. Managing the modifiable risk factors can decrease the odds of stroke recurrence.

PPARγ Deacetylation Confers the Antiatherogenic Effect and Improves Endothelial Function in Diabetes Treatment

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in patients with diabetes, and tight glycemic control fails to reduce the risk of developing CVD. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), a class of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonists, are potent insulin sensitizers with antiatherogenic properties, but their clinical use is limited by side effects. PPARγ deacetylation on two lysine residues (K268 and K293) induces brown remodeling of white adipose tissue and uncouples the adverse effects of TZDs from insulin sensitization. Here we show that PPARγ deacetylation confers antiatherogenic properties and retains the insulin-sensitizing effects of TZD while circumventing its detriments. We generated mice homozygous with mice with deacetylation-mimetic PPARγ mutations K268R/K293R (2KR) on an LDL-receptor knockout (Ldlr ^-/- ) background. 2KR:Ldlr ^-/- mice showed smaller atherosclerotic lesion areas than Ldlr ^-/- mice, particularly in aortic arches. With rosiglitazone treatment, 2KR:Ldlr ^-/- mice demonstrated a residual antiatherogenic response and substantial protection against bone loss and fluid retention. The antiatherosclerotic effect of 2KR was attributed to the protection of endothelium, indicated by improved endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and repressed expression of proatherogenic factors including inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-6, and NADPH oxidase 2. Therefore, manipulating PPARγ acetylation is a promising therapeutic strategy to control risk of CVD in diabetes treatment.

Unplanned Readmission within 28 Days of Hospital Discharge in a Longitudinal Population-Based Cohort of Older Australian Women

This study aimed to estimate the incidence of 28-day unplanned readmission among older women, and associated factors. Data were used from the 1921–1926 birth cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. Linkage of self-reported survey data with the Admitted Patient Data Collection allowed the identification of hospital admissions for each woman and the corresponding baseline characteristics. The Cox proportional-hazards model was used to identify factors associated with time to unplanned readmission, using SAS software V 9.4. (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Of 2056 women with index unplanned admission, 363 (17.5%) were readmitted within 28 days of discharge, and of these 229 (11.14%) had unplanned readmission. Among women with unplanned readmission, 24% were for the same condition as for the index hospitalisation. Cardiovascular diseases were the main diagnoses for the index admission and readmission. Unplanned readmission risk was higher if not partnered (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05–1.95), of non-English speaking background (HR = 1.62%, 95% CI: 1.07–2.47), more than three days length of stay on index admission (HR = 1.41%, 95% CI: 1.04–1.90) and one or two of the assessed chronic diseases (HR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.19–2.36). At least one in ten women had unplanned readmission at some time between ages 75–95 years. Women who are not partnered, not of English-speaking background, with longer hospital stay and those with multi-morbidity, may need further efforts during their stay and on discharge to mitigate unplanned readmission.

Risk Factors for First and Subsequent CVD Events in Type 1 Diabetes: The DCCT/EDIC Study

OBJECTIVE

The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and its observational follow-up Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) demonstrated the dominant role of glycemia, second only to age, as a risk factor for a first cardiovascular event in type 1 diabetes (T1D). We now investigate the association between established risk factors and the total cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden, including subsequent (i.e., recurrent) events.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

CVD events in the 1,441 DCCT/EDIC participants were analyzed separately by type (CVD death, acute myocardial infarction [MI], stroke, silent MI, angina, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty/coronary artery bypass graft [PTCA/CABG], and congestive heart failure [CHF]) or as composite outcomes (CVD or major adverse cardiovascular events [MACE]). Proportional rate models and conditional models assessed associations between risk factors and CVD outcomes.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up of 29 years, 239 participants had 421 CVD events, and 120 individuals had 149 MACE. Age was the strongest risk factor for acute MI, silent MI, stroke, and PTCA/CABG, while glycemia was the strongest risk factor for CVD death, CHF, and angina, second strongest for acute MI and PTCA/CABG, third strongest for stroke, and not associated with silent MI. HbA_1c was the strongest modifiable risk factor for a first CVD event (CVD: HR 1.38 [95% CI 1.21, 1.56] per 1% higher HbA_1c; MACE: HR 1.54 [1.30, 1.82]) and also for subsequent CVD events (CVD: incidence ratio [IR] 1.28 [95% CI 1.09, 1.51]; MACE: IR 1.89 [1.36, 2.61]).

CONCLUSIONS

Intensive glycemic management is recommended to lower the risk of initial CVD events in T1D. After a first event, optimal glycemic control may reduce the risk of recurrent CVD events and should be maintained.

Achievement of cardiovascular risk factor targets according to sex and previous history of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes: A population-based study

AIMS

The main objective was to assess, using real-practice primary care records, the degree of control of cardiovascular risk factor targets. Records were stratified by the presence of previous history or cardiovascular disease (CVD), and sex differences in the fulfillment profile were analyzed.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional population-based study conducted in Spain. Type 2 diabetes patients over 20 years old (n = 32,638) were identified from primary care electronic health records, and the following information was extracted: glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), LDL and HDL cholesterol levels, triglycerides, BMI and smoking history.

RESULTS

Patients with CVD had worse control of HbA1c than patients without it, (HbA1c < 7% 56.9% vs. 61.2%) but better control of BP (<130/80: 43.5% vs 38.2%) and lipids. In the group without prior CVD history, women had worse control of HbA1c, LDL, HDL, BMI and triglycerides and better control of blood pressure and smoking. These differences were maintained or accentuated in the group with previous CVD.

CONCLUSIONS

Women had poorer control of CV risk factors in both groups, and the sex-gap is accentuated in patients with previous CVD.

Dynamic prediction using joint models of longitudinal and recurrent event data: A Bayesian perspective

In cardiovascular disease (CVD) studies, the events of interest may be recurrent (multiple occurrences from the same individual). During the study follow-up, longitudinal measurements are often available and these measurements are highly predictive of event recurrences. It is of great clinical interest to make personalized prediction of the next occurrence of recurrent events using the available clinical information, because it enables clinicians to make more informed and personalized decisions and recommendations. To this end, we propose a joint model of longitudinal and recurrent event data. We develop a Bayesian approach for model inference and a dynamic prediction framework for predicting target subjects' future outcome trajectories and risk of next recurrent event, based on their data up to the prediction time point. To improve computation efficiency, embarrassingly parallel MCMC (EP-MCMC) method is utilized. It partitions the data into multiple subsets, runs MCMC sampler on each subset, and applies random partition trees to combine the posterior draws from all subsets. Our method development is motivated by and applied to the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT), one of the largest CVD studies to compare the effectiveness of medications to treat hypertension.

Incidence and risk factors for recurrent cardiovascular disease in middle-eastern adults: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Individuals with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) and risk factors such as age, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are at an increased risk of recurrent cardiovascular events and death. The incidence rate of recurrent CVD events varies between countries and populations. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has one of the highest age-standardized death rates for CVD worldwide. The aim of our study was to estimate the incidence rates and determine the predictors of recurrent CVD events among UAE nationals.

METHODS

We investigated an outpatient-based cohort of patients with a history of CVD visiting Tawam Hospital between April 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008. They were followed-up until July 31, 2018. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine the association between major CVD risk factors and the risk of CVD recurrence.

RESULTS

A total of 216 patients (167 males, 49 females) with a history of CVD were included. They were followed for a median (interquartile range) of 8.1 (5.5-9.3) years, with a total of 1184 patient-years of follow-up. The overall incidence rate of recurrent CVD events was 92.1 per 1000 patient-years. The 8-year cumulative incidence was 73.7%. Age, female sex, and diabetes mellitus were significant predictors of recurrent CVD events, where females had a 1.96 times higher risk of recurrent CVD events than males.

CONCLUSION

Significant predictors of recurrent CVD events are older age, female sex, and diabetes mellitus. The incidence rate of recurrent CVD events was 92.1 per 1000 patient-years. Preventive measures, based on international guidelines for CVD management, may improve CVD morbidity and mortality in the UAE population.

Comparison of primary versus secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with type2 diabetes: Focus on achievement of ABC goals

BACKGROUND

Primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease is of utmost importance in the management of patients with diabetes.

OBJECTIVES

We studied a group of Iranian patients with type2 diabetes to provide an overview of the current status of secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in the Middle East.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study of 2029 Patients with type2 diabetes including 323 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were recruited. Achievement of goals in HbA1c (A), blood pressure (B) and LDL-cholesterol(C) was assessed.

RESULTS

The study showed 25.3% of CAD positive patients achieved HbA1c <7% compared to 30% in CAD negative patients. The achievement of blood pressure ≤140/90 mmHg was 53.2% and 52.8% in CAD positive and CAD negative patients respectively. There was no difference in the achievement of all three ABC goals between the two groups (p = 0.733). After logistic regression analysis, history of hypertension had the highest odds ratio for CAD.

CONCLUSION

Although ABC control has an important impact on the prevention of cardiovascular outcomes, the ideal goal needs further efforts to be achieved.

Impact of ischaemic heart disease severity and age on risk of cardiovascular outcome in diabetes patients in Sweden: a nationwide observational study

OBJECTIVES

To compare short-term cardiovascular (CV) outcome in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients without ischaemic heart disease (IHD), with IHD but no prior myocardial infarction (MI), and those with prior MI; and assess the impact on risk of age when initiating first-time glucose-lowering drug (GLD).

DESIGN

Cohort study linking morbidity, mortality and medication data from Swedish national registries.

PARTICIPANTS

First-time users of GLD during 2007-2016.

OUTCOMES

Predicted cumulative incidence for the CV outcome (MI, stroke and CV mortality) was estimated. A Cox model was developed where age at GLD start and CV risk was modelled.

RESULTS

260 070 first-time GLD users were included, 221 226 (85%) had no IHD, 16 294 (6%) had stable IHD-prior MI and 22 550 (9%) had IHD+MI. T2D patients without IHD had a lower risk of CV outcome compared with the IHD populations (±prior MI), (3-year incidence 4.78% vs 5.85% and 8.04%). The difference in CV outcome was primarily driven by a relative greater MI risk among the IHD patients. For T2D patients without IHD, an almost linear association between age at start of GLD and relative risk was observed, whereas in IHD patients, the younger (<60 years) patients had a relative greater risk compared with older patients.

CONCLUSIONS

T2D patients without IHD had a lower risk of the CV outcome compared with the T2D populations with IHD, primarily driven by a greater risk of MI. For T2D patients without IHD, an almost linear association between age at start of GLD and relative risk was observed, whereas in IHD patients, the younger patients had a relative greater risk compared with older patients. Our findings suggest that intense risk prevention should be the key strategy in the management of T2D patients, especially for younger patients.

Empagliflozin Reduced Mortality and Hospitalization for Heart Failure Across the Spectrum of Cardiovascular Risk in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME Trial

BACKGROUND

In the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial (BI 10773 [Empagliflozin] Cardiovascular Outcome Event Trial in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, in comparison with placebo, empagliflozin reduced the risks of 3-point major adverse cardiovascular events (3-point MACE), cardiovascular and all-cause death, and hospitalization for heart failure. We investigated whether these effects varied across the spectrum of baseline cardiovascular risk.

METHODS

Cardiovascular death, all-cause mortality, 3-point MACE, and hospitalization for heart failure in the pooled empagliflozin and placebo groups were analyzed in subgroups by prior myocardial infarction and stroke at baseline, and by estimated baseline cardiovascular risk based on the 10-point TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) Risk Score for Secondary Prevention.

RESULTS

Of 7020 patients who received the study drug, 65% had a prior myocardial infarction or stroke, and 12%, 40%, 30%, and 18% were at low, intermediate, high, and highest estimated cardiovascular risk according to TIMI Risk Score for Secondary Prevention (≤2, 3, 4, and ≥5 points, respectively). In the placebo group, 3-point MACE occurred during the trial in 7.3%, 9.4%, 12.6%, and 20.6% of patients at low, intermediate, high, and highest estimated baseline risk, respectively. Relative reductions in risk of cardiovascular death, all-cause mortality, 3-point MACE and hospitalization for heart failure with empagliflozin versus placebo were consistent in patients with and without prior myocardial infarction and/or stroke and across subgroups by TIMI Risk Score for Secondary Prevention at baseline ( P>0.05 for randomized group-by-subgroup interactions).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite all patients having atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, patients in EMPA-REG OUTCOME demonstrated a broad risk spectrum for cardiovascular events. Reductions in key cardiovascular outcomes and mortality with empagliflozin versus placebo were consistent across the range of cardiovascular risk.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01131676.

Total cardiovascular events analysis of the EXAMINE trial in patients with type 2 diabetes and recent acute coronary syndrome

Alogliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, is approved for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). EXAMINE was a randomized controlled clinical trial designed to demonstrate the cardiovascular (CV) safety of alogliptin. In the trial, 5380 patients with established T2DM who had a recent acute coronary syndrome event (between 15 and 90 days) were randomized to treatment with either alogliptin or placebo. To better understand and describe the CV safety of alogliptin, we analyzed data from the EXAMINE trial to determine whether treatment with alogliptin affected recurrent and total CV events. Poisson regression analysis compared the total number of occurrences of CV death, MI, stroke, unstable angina, and coronary revascularization between all patients randomized to alogliptin vs placebo groups. Patients with recurrent CV events were older and more likely to have renal disease and history of heart failure. There were 1100 first CV events and an additional 666 recurrent events over a median of 18 months of follow-up. There were no significant differences with regard to total number of events in patients treated with alogliptin (n = 873) or placebo (n = 893; P = 0.52). Furthermore, there were no differences in the types of events seen in patients treated with alogliptin or placebo. Alogliptin did not increase the risk of either first or recurrent CV events when compared with placebo in patients with T2DM and recent acute coronary syndrome. These data support the CV safety of alogliptin in patients who are at increased risk of future CV events.

Hypertension control after an initial cardiac event among Medicare patients with diabetes mellitus: A multidisciplinary group practice observational study

Patients with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease have a high risk of mortality and/or recurrent cardiovascular events. Hypertension control is critical for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. The objective was to determine rates and predictors of achieving hypertension control among Medicare patients with diabetes and uncontrolled hypertension after hospital discharge for an initial cardiac event. A retrospective analysis of linked electronic health record and Medicare data was performed. The primary outcome was hypertension control within 1 year after hospital discharge for an initial cardiac event. Cox proportional hazard models assessed sociodemographics, medications, utilization, and comorbidities as predictors of control. Medicare patients with diabetes were more likely to achieve hypertension control when prescribed beta-blockers at discharge or with a history of more specialty visits. Adults ≥ 80 were more likely to achieve control with diuretics. These findings demonstrate the importance of implementing guideline-directed multidisciplinary care in this complex and high-risk population.

Residual Risk Factors to Predict Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Patients with and without Diabetes Mellitus

A prospective observational study was conducted to investigate the residual risk factors to predict recurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) patients with a high prevalence under lipid-lowering therapy, particularly in the subpopulations of diabetic and nondiabetic individuals. A total of 5,483 adults (with a mean age of 66.4 and 73.3% male) with established coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, or peripheral artery disease were identified from the T-SPARCLE multi-center registry. Of them, 38.6% had diabetes. The residual risk factors for MACE are divergent in these atherosclerotic patients with and without diabetes. In diabetic subpopulation, the risk of MACE was significantly increased with heart failure (HF), chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4-5 (vs. stage 1-2), without beta blocker use, and higher non-HDL-C, after controlling for covariates including statin use and the intensity of therapy. Increased LDL-C and TG levels were also associated with increased risk, but to a much less extent. Among nondiabetic individuals, HF, CKD stage 4-5, and history of myocardial infarction were the significant independent predictors of MACE. It is suggested that ASCVD patients with concomitant diabetes need stricter control of lipid, particularly non-HDL-C levels, to reduce cardiovascular risk when on statin therapy.

Incidence of cardiovascular events and vascular interventions in patients with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The vascular burden in terms of incidence of cardiovascular events (CVE) and vascular interventions is however poorly quantified. In this study we evaluated the incidence rates of CVE and vascular interventions in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD) in comparison to patients without type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In a cohort of 9.808 high-risk patients with and without cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes originated from the ongoing, single-center prospective SMART (Second Manifestations of ARTerial disease) cohort, the number and incidence rates of CVE and interventions were calculated. The incidence rates were adjusted for confounders using Poisson regression models. CVE were defined as vascular death, stroke and myocardial infarction (MI). Interventions were defined as percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or stenting of the peripheral arteries and amputation.

RESULTS

Patients with T2DM and CVD had a 4-fold higher incidence rate of CVE and a 8-fold higher incidence rate of vascular interventions compared to high-risk patients without T2DM and CVD after adjusting for confounders. The incidence rate for the composite of non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke and vascular death was 5.8 per 1000person-years in patients without T2DM or CVD at baseline, 15.2 per 1000person-years in patients with T2DM but without CVD at baseline, 26.0 per 1000person-years in patients without T2DM but with CVD and 40.7 per 1000person-years in patients with both T2DM and CVD at baseline. A similar increasing incidence rate was seen for all vascular interventions from patients without T2DM or CVD to patients with both T2DM and CVD.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with type 2 diabetes or CVD are subject to an increased incidence of cardiovascular events and interventions compared to high-risk patients without type 2 diabetes or vascular disease. Patients with type 2 diabetes and CVD have the highest incidence of new cardiovascular diseases and vascular interventions when compared to patients without type 2 diabetes and CVD. These results underline the need for optimal risk factor treatment as well as the need for new prevention and treatment strategies in this very high risk population.

Determining the Factors Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Recurrence: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

Background: Several studies have emphasized the importance of cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. However, there is a dearth of data on the prevention of cardiovascular disease recurrence. The present study was the 1st in Iran to evaluate factors associated with CVD recurrence. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted on 483 subjects (> 30 years old) with a history of CVD who participated in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study and were followed up for 12 years (1999-2012). The relationships between the most important established risk factors for CVD and CVD recurrence were evaluated. Results: Totally, 258 (53.4%) men and 225(46.5%) women at a mean age of 59.2 ± 10.7 years were recruited in the study. Our results showed that over the 12-year follow-up, the incidence of a recurrent event (per 100 person-years) was 48.5. Further, after controlling the possible confounding factors, the following variables had a significant relationship with CVD recurrence: age (HR = 1.02; p value = 0. 001), male sex (HR = 1.4; p value = 0.012), smoking (HR = 1.7; p value = 0.004), and increased fasting blood sugar (HR = 2.1; p value = 0.001). Conclusion: We found that the established variables in the development of CVD (i.e., age, sex, and smoking) played an important role in the risk of CVD recurrence.

Risk of Coronary Heart Events Based on Rose Angina Questionnaire and ECG Besides Diabetes and Other Metabolic Risk Factors: Results of a 10-Year Follow-up in Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

BACKGROUND

High-risk individuals for CHD could be diagnosed by some non-invasive and low-priced techniques such as Minnesota ECG coding and rose angina questionnaire (RQ).

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed at determining the risk of incident CHD according to ECG and RQ besides diabetes and other metabolic risk factors in our population.

METHODS

Participants comprised of 5431 individuals aged ≥ 30 years within the framework of Tehran lipid and glucose study. Based on their status on history of CHD, ECG, and RQ at baseline, all participants were classified to 5 following groups: (1) History^-Rose^-ECG^- (the reference group); (2) History^-Rose⁺ECG^-; (3) History^-Rose^-ECG⁺; (4) History^-Rose⁺ECG⁺; and (5) History⁺. We used Cox regression model to find the role of ECG and RQ on CHD, independent of other risk factors.

RESULTS

Overall, 562 CHD events were detected during the median of 10.3 years follow-up. CHD incidence rates were 55.9 and 9.09 cases per 1000 person-year for participants with and without history of CHD, respectively. Hazard ratios (HRs) (95% CIs) were 4.11 (3.27 - 5.11) for History + and 2.18 (1.63 - 2.90), 1.92 (1.47 - 2.51), and 2.48 (1.46 - 4.20) for History^-Rose⁺ECG^-, History^-Rose^-ECG⁺, and History^-Rose⁺ECG⁺, respectively. RQ and ECG had the same HRs as high as those for hypertension and hypercholesterolemia; however, diabetes showed statistically and clinically more effects on CVD than RQ and ECG.

CONCLUSIONS

RQ in general and, ECG especially in asymptomatic patients, were good predictors for CHD events in both Iranian males and females; however, their predictive powers were lower than that of diabetes.

Impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus on recurrent myocardial infarction in China

To evaluate the influence of type 2 diabetes mellitus on the long-term outcomes of Chinese patients with previous myocardial infarction, we studied 864 patients with previous myocardial infarction, including 251 with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 613 without type 2 diabetes mellitus, over a median follow-up time of 2.9 years. The type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were subdivided into 95 insulin-treated diabetes mellitus and 156 non-insulin-treated diabetes mellitus subjects. The crude incidences (per 1000 patient-years) in the type 2 diabetes mellitus subjects versus the non-type 2 diabetes mellitus subjects were 43.7 versus 25.1 for recurrent myocardial infarction, 68.7 versus 28.3 for all-cause death and 99.8 versus 49.9 for the composite end point (i.e. recurrent myocardial infarction or all-cause death). Cox regression analysis showed that the adjusted hazard ratios for recurrent myocardial infarction, all-cause death and their combination were 1.67 (95% confidence interval: 1.06-2.74), 1.90 (1.25-2.90) and 1.72 (1.23-2.40), respectively. Significant associations were also observed between insulin treatment and all-cause death. Our findings suggested that type 2 diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for recurrent myocardial infarction, all-cause death and the composite end point among previous myocardial infarction patients.

Diabetic Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy Predicts Recurrent Cardiovascular Diseases in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. This study evaluated the relationship between CAN and recurrent CVD in type 2 diabetes. A total of 206 patients with type 2 diabetes who had a history of CVD within 3 years of enrollment were consecutively recruited from January 2001 to December 2009 and followed-up until December 2015. Cardiovascular autonomic function tests were performed using the following heart rate variability parameters: expiration-to-inspiration ratio, response to Valsalva maneuver and standing. We estimated the recurrence of CVD events during the follow-up period. A total of 159 (77.2%) of the 206 patients enrolled completed the follow up, and 78 (49.1%) patients had recurrent episodes of CVD, with an incidence rate of 75.6 per 1,000 patient-years. The mean age and diabetes duration were 62.5 ± 8.7 and 9.2 ± 6.9 years, respectively. Patients who developed recurrent CVD also exhibited hypertension (P = 0.004), diabetic nephropathy (P = 0.012), higher mean systolic blood pressure (P = 0.006), urinary albumin excretion (P = 0.015), and mean triglyceride level (P = 0.035) than did patients without recurrent CVD. Multivariable Cox hazard regression analysis revealed that definite CAN was significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrent CVD (hazard ratio [HR] 3.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.39−6.60; P = 0.005). Definite CAN was an independent predictor for recurrent CVD in patients with type 2 diabetes who had a known prior CVD event.

Triglyceride glucose index, a marker of insulin resistance, is associated with coronary artery stenosis in asymptomatic subjects with type 2 diabetes

Background

Insulin resistance is one of the most important contributing factors to cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to investigate the association between coronary artery stenosis (CAS) and triglyceride glucose index (TyG index), a simple insulin resistance marker, in asymptomatic subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

We recruited asymptomatic adults with type 2 diabetes but without previous history of coronary heart disease (n = 888). Significant CAS was defined as maximum intraluminal stenosis ≥70 % by coronary CT angiography. TyG index was calculated as log [fasting triglycerides (mg/dl) x fasting glucose (mg/dl)/2].

Results

Mean age was 63.8 ± 9.5 and 58.9 % of the subjects were men. We analyzed the participants according to the tertile of TyG index. The TyG index was correlated with HOMA-IR (r = 0.397, P < 0.001), and subjects with higher tertile of TyG index were younger but showed worse clinical and metabolic parameters. The prevalence of CAS was higher in subjects with higher tertile of TyG compared with those with lower tertile of TyG (14 % vs. 7.8 %, P = 0.022). On multiple regression analysis, the highest tertile of TyG index was an independent risk factor for CAS after adjustment for other confounders (odds ratio, 3.19 [95 % CI, 1.371–7.424]). Subgroup analysis showed that TyG index showed more significant association with CAS in patients with risk factors such as old age, longer duration of diabetes, poor glycemic control, no statin use, and male gender.

Conclusion

Higher TyG index is associated with increased risk of CAS in asymptomatic subjects with type 2 diabetes, particularly when they have risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Trial registration

This study was retrospectively registered in ClinicalTrials. gov with the registration number of NCT02070926 in Feb 23, 2014.

The Health Economic Value of Changes in Glycaemic Control, Weight and Rates of Hypoglycaemia in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

AIMS

Therapy-related consequences of treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), such as weight gain and hypoglycaemia, act as a barrier to attaining optimal glycaemic control, indirectly influencing the incidence of vascular complications and associated morbidity and mortality. This study quantifies the individual and combined contribution of changes in hypoglycaemia frequency, weight and HbA1c to predicted quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) within a T1DM population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We describe the Cardiff Type 1 Diabetes (CT1DM) Model, originally informed by the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and updated with the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study and Swedish National Diabetes Registry for microvascular and cardiovascular complications respectively. We report model validation results and the QALY impact of HbA1c, weight and hypoglycaemia changes.

RESULTS

Validation results demonstrated coefficients of determination for clinical endpoints of R2 = 0.863 (internal R2 = 0.999; external R2 = 0.823), costs R2 = 0.980 and QALYs R2 = 0.951. Achieving and maintaining a 1% HbA1c reduction was estimated to provide 0.61 additional discounted QALYs. Weight changes of ±1kg, ±2kg or ±3kg led to discounted QALY changes of ±0.03, ±0.07 and ±0.10 respectively, while modifying hypoglycaemia frequency by -10%, -20% or -30% resulted in changes of -0.05, -0.11 and -0.17. The differences in discounted costs, life-years and QALYs associated with HbA1c 6% versus 10% were -£19,037, 2.49 and 2.35 respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a model updated with contemporary epidemiological data, this study presents an outcome-focused perspective to assessing the health economic consequences of differing levels of glycaemic control in T1DM with and without weight and hypoglycaemia effects.

Optimal strategies for monitoring lipid levels in patients at risk or with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review with statistical and cost-effectiveness modelling

BACKGROUND

Various lipid measurements in monitoring/screening programmes can be used, alone or in cardiovascular risk scores, to guide treatment for prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Because some changes in lipids are due to variability rather than true change, the value of lipid-monitoring strategies needs evaluation.

OBJECTIVE

To determine clinical value and cost-effectiveness of different monitoring intervals and different lipid measures for primary and secondary prevention of CVD.

DATA SOURCES

We searched databases and clinical trials registers from 2007 (including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Clinical Trials Register, the Current Controlled Trials register, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) to update and extend previous systematic reviews. Patient-level data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and St Luke's Hospital, Japan, were used in statistical modelling. Utilities and health-care costs were drawn from the literature.

METHODS

In two meta-analyses, we used prospective studies to examine associations of lipids with CVD and mortality, and randomised controlled trials to estimate lipid-lowering effects of atorvastatin doses. Patient-level data were used to estimate progression and variability of lipid measurements over time, and hence to model lipid-monitoring strategies. Results are expressed as rates of true-/false-positive and true-/false-negative tests for high lipid or high CVD risk. We estimated incremental costs per quality-adjusted life-year.

RESULTS

A total of 115 publications reported strength of association between different lipid measures and CVD events in 138 data sets. The summary adjusted hazard ratio per standard deviation of total cholesterol (TC) to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio was 1.25 (95% confidence interval 1.15 to 1.35) for CVD in a primary prevention population but heterogeneity was high (I(2) = 98%); similar results were observed for non-HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and other ratio measures. Associations were smaller for other single lipid measures. Across 10 trials, low-dose atorvastatin (10 and 20 mg) effects ranged from a TC reduction of 0.92 mmol/l to 2.07 mmol/l, and low-density lipoprotein reduction of between 0.88 mmol/l and 1.86 mmol/l. Effects of 40 mg and 80 mg were reported by one trial each. For primary prevention, over a 3-year period, we estimate annual monitoring would unnecessarily treat 9 per 1000 more men (28 vs. 19 per 1000) and 5 per 1000 more women (17 vs. 12 per 1000) than monitoring every 3 years. However, annual monitoring would also undertreat 9 per 1000 fewer men (7 vs. 16 per 1000) and 4 per 1000 fewer women (7 vs. 11 per 1000) than monitoring at 3-year intervals. For secondary prevention, over a 3-year period, annual monitoring would increase unnecessary treatment changes by 66 per 1000 men and 31 per 1000 women, and decrease undertreatment by 29 per 1000 men and 28 per 1000 men, compared with monitoring every 3 years. In cost-effectiveness, strategies with increased screening/monitoring dominate. Exploratory analyses found that any unknown harms of statins would need utility decrements as large as 0.08 (men) to 0.11 (women) per statin user to reverse this finding in primary prevention.

LIMITATION

Heterogeneity in meta-analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

While acknowledging known and potential unknown harms of statins, we find that more frequent monitoring strategies are cost-effective compared with others. Regular lipid monitoring in those with and without CVD is likely to be beneficial to patients and to the health service. Future research should include trials of the benefits and harms of atorvastatin 40 and 80 mg, large-scale surveillance of statin safety, and investigation of the effect of monitoring on medication adherence.

STUDY REGISTRATION

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42013003727.

FUNDING

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Drug delivery and therapeutic impact of extended-release acetylsalicylic acid

Current treatment guidelines recommend once-daily, low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; aspirin) for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. However, the anti-thrombotic benefits of traditional ASA formulations may not extend over a 24-h period, especially in patients at high risk for a recurrent cardiovascular event. A next-generation, extended-release ASA formulation (ER-ASA) has been developed to provide 24-h anti-thrombotic coverage with once-daily dosing. The pharmacokinetics of ER-ASA indicates slower absorption and prolonged ASA release versus immediate-release ASA, with a favorable safety profile. ER-ASA minimizes systemic ASA absorption and provides sustained antiplatelet effects over a 24-h period.

Risk of mortality associated to chronic kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 13-year follow-up

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to assess the usefulness of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) to predict the risk of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clinical end-point was mortality rate. GFR was measured in ml/min/1.73 m2 and stratified in 3 categories (≥60; 45-59; <45); UAE was measured in mg/24hours and was also stratified in 3 categories (<30; 30-300; >300). Mortality rates were reported per 1000 patient-years. Cox regression models were used to predict mortality risk associated with combined GFR and UAE. The predictive power was estimated with C-Harrell statistic.

RESULTS

A total of 453 patients (39.3% males), aged 64.9 (SD 9.3) years were included; mean diabetes duration was 10.4 (SD 7.5) years. Median follow-up was 13 years. Total mortality rate was 39.5/1000. The progressive increase in mortality in the successive categories of GFR and UAE was statistically significant (P<.001). In a multivariable analysis, UAE (HR30-300=1.02 and HR>300=2.83; X2=11.6; P =.003) and GFR (HR45-59=1.34 and HR<45=1.84; X2=6.4; P =.041) were independent predictors for mortality, with no significant interaction. Simultaneous inclusion of GFR and UAE improved the predictive power of models (C-Harrell 0.741 vs. 0.726; P =.045).

CONCLUSIONS

GFR and UAE are independent predictors for mortality in type 2 diabetic patients and do not show a statistically significant interaction.

Impact of glucose-lowering drugs on cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by multiple pathophysiologic abnormalities. With time, multiple glucose-lowering medications are commonly required to reduce and maintain plasma glucose concentrations within the normal range. Type 2 diabetes mellitus individuals also are at a very high risk for microvascular complications and the incidence of heart attack and stroke is increased two- to three-fold compared with non-diabetic individuals. Therefore, when selecting medications to normalize glucose levels in T2DM patients, it is important that the agent not aggravate, and ideally even improve, cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In this review, we examine the effect of oral (metformin, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, thiazolidinediones, DPP4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, and α-glucosidase inhibitors) and injectable (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and insulin) glucose-lowering drugs on established CVRFs and long-term studies of cardiovascular outcomes. Firm evidence that in T2DM cardiovascular disease can be reversed or prevented by improving glycaemic control is still incomplete and must await large, long-term clinical trials in patients at low risk using modern treatment strategies, i.e., drug combinations designed to maximize HbA1c reduction while minimizing hypoglycaemia and excessive weight gain.

Health care delivery in type 2 diabetes. A survey in an Italian primary care practice

AIMS

Evidence-based guidelines provide targets and performance measures for the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients but a wide gap separates guidelines-driven recommendations from their clinical application, a phenomenon hindering the transfer of proven benefits to affected populations.

METHODS

We analyzed the quality of diabetic care delivered by 8 general practitioners joint in a group practice attending 571 diabetic patients (5.6% of the total enlisted subjects) by assessing process (% of HbA1c, SBP and LDL-C determinations) and intermediate outcome (% of patients with HbA1c <7% vs >8%, systolic BP <130 mmHg vs >140 mmHg, LDL-cholesterol <100 mg/dL vs >130 mg/dL) indicators.

RESULTS

HbA1c was at target in 49% of patients and >8% in 22%; SBP and LDL-C determination was available in about two-thirds of patients, only a minority at target for SBP and LDL-C. Antihyperglycemic and antihypertensive treatment was prescribed in most patients but only a third was on statins. During the post-evaluation phase, percentages of patients with HbA1c >8%, SBP < 130 mmHg and LDL-C < 100 mg/dL and the drug prescription pattern did not change.

CONCLUSIONS

Several weaknesses affect primary care delivery to type 2 diabetic patients and efforts are needed to improve the management of this high-risk group.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in older adults with diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus exerts a strong effect on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk into older age (beyond ages 70-74 years). This effect is particularly noticeable with regard to coronary artery disease and cerebral microvascular disease. Thus, diabetes mellitus in older adults deserves the same careful medical attention as it does in middle age.

Definition of intervention points in prediabetes

With respect to clinical phenotype and pathophysiology, prediabetes is akin to diabetes. Prediabetes is prevalent in the global population, and those affected are at high risk of progression to overt diabetes, and also at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Progression to diabetes can occur because of worsening insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction, or both, but the timecourse can be non-linear and, therefore, unpredictable. Intervention-by lifestyle modification, glucose-lowering drugs, or a combination-can postpone deterioration of glucose control, but effects of intervention are variable and can be transient. Furthermore, to what extent interventions can reduce cardiovascular risk is uncertain. Lifestyle intervention mainly hinges on weight loss; as such, risk of failure in the long-term is high, and implementation at the community level is difficult. The ideal candidate for intervention is an individual with prediabetes-identified by targeted screening-with many well documented cardiovascular risk factors, and who is highly motivated to initiate and maintain multifactorial risk-control using a personalised mix of lifestyle-adaptation and pharmacological treatment.

Differences in the Cardiometabolic Control in Type 2 Diabetes according to Gender and the Presence of Cardiovascular Disease: Results from the eControl Study

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess differences in the control and treatment of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF: HbA1c, blood pressure [BP], LDL-cholesterol, body mass index, and smoking habit) according to gender and the presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Catalonia, Spain. The study included available data from electronic medical records for a total of 286,791 patients. After controlling for sex, age, diabetes duration, and treatment received, both men and women with prior CVD had worse cardiometabolic control than patients without previous CVD; women with prior CVD had worse overall control of CVRFs than men except for smoking; and women without prior CVD were only better than men at controlling smoking and BP, with no significant differences in glycemic control. Finally, although the proportion of women treated with lipid-lowering medications was similar to (with prior CVD) or even higher (without CVD) than men, LDL-cholesterol levels were remarkably uncontrolled in both women with and women without CVD. The results stress the need to implement measures to better prevent and treat CVRF in the subgroup of diabetic women, specifically with more intensive statin treatment in those with CVD.

Risk of a recurrent cardiovascular event in individuals with type 2 diabetes or intermediate hyperglycemia: the Hoorn Study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate risk of a recurrent cardiovascular event and its predictors in a population-based cohort.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Participants of the Hoorn Study who had experienced a first cardiovascular event after baseline (n = 336) were followed with respect to a recurrent event. Absolute risk of a recurrent event was calculated for individuals with normal glucose metabolism, intermediate hyperglycemia, and type 2 diabetes. Cox regression models were used to investigate which variables, measured before the first vascular event, predicted a recurrent event using the stepwise backward procedure.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 4.1 years, 44% (n = 148) of the population developed a recurrent vascular event. The rate of recurrent events per 100 person-years was 7.2 (95% CI 5.8-8.7) in individuals with normal glucose metabolism, compared with 9.8 (6.6-14.0) in individuals with intermediate hyperglycemia and 12.5 (8.5-17.6) in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Higher age (hazard ratio 1.02 [95% CI 1.00-1.04]), male sex (1.56 [1.08-2.25]), waist circumference (1.02 [1.02-1.03]), higher systolic blood pressure (1.01 [1.01-1.02]), higher HbA1c (%, 1.13 [0.97-1.31]/ mmol/mol, 1.01 [1.00-1.03]), and family history of myocardial infarction (1.38 [0.96-2.00]) predicted a recurrent cardiovascular event.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with type 2 diabetes, but not individuals with intermediate hyperglycemia, are at increased risk for a recurrent vascular event compared with individuals with normal glucose metabolism. In people with a history of cardiovascular disease, people at increased risk of a recurrent event can be identified based on the patient's risk profile before the first event.

Towards renewed health economic simulation of type 2 diabetes: risk equations for first and second cardiovascular events from Swedish register data

OBJECTIVE

Predicting the risk of future events is an essential part of health economic simulation models. In pursuit of this goal, the current study aims to predict the risk of developing first and second acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, non-acute ischaemic heart disease, and stroke after diagnosis in patients with type 2 diabetes, using data from the Swedish National Diabetes Register.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Register data on 29,034 patients with type 2 diabetes were analysed over five years of follow up (baseline 2003). To develop and validate the risk equations, the sample was randomly divided into training (75%) and test (25%) subsamples. The Weibull proportional hazard model was used to estimate the coefficients of the risk equations, and these were validated in both the training and the test samples.

RESULTS

In total, 4,547 first and 2,418 second events were observed during the five years of follow up. Experiencing a first event substantially elevated the risk of subsequent events. There were heterogeneities in the effects of covariates within as well as between events; for example, while for females the hazard ratio of having a first acute myocardial infarction was 0.79 (0.70-0.90), the hazard ratio of a second was 1.21 (0.98-1.48). The hazards of second events decreased as the time since first events elapsed. The equations showed adequate calibration and discrimination (C statistics range: 0.70-0.84 in test samples).

CONCLUSION

The accuracy of health economic simulation models of type 2 diabetes can be improved by ensuring that they account for the heterogeneous effects of covariates on the risk of first and second cardiovascular events. Thus it is important to extend such models by including risk equations for second cardiovascular events.

Four-year analysis of cardiovascular disease risk factors, depression symptoms, and antidepressant medicine use in the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) clinical trial of weight loss in diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To study the association of depressive symptoms or antidepressant medicine (ADM) use with subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor status in the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) trial of weight loss in type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Participants (n = 5,145; age [mean ± SD] 58.7 ± 6.8 years; BMI 35.8 ± 5.8 kg/m(2)) in two study arms (intensive lifestyle [ILI], diabetes support and education [DSE]) completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), reported ADM use, and were assessed for CVD risk factors at baseline and annually for 4 years. Risk factor-positive status was defined as current smoking, obesity, HbA1c >7.0% or insulin use, and blood pressure or cholesterol not at levels recommended by expert consensus panel or medicine to achieve recommended levels. Generalized estimating equations assessed within-study arm relationships of elevated BDI score (≥11) or ADM use with subsequent year CVD risk status, controlled for demographic variables, CVD history, diabetes duration, and prior CVD risk status.

RESULTS

Prior year elevated BDI was associated with subsequent CVD risk factor-positive status for the DSE arm (A1C [odds ratio 1.30 (95% CI 1.09-1.56)]; total cholesterol [0.80 (0.65-1.00)]; i.e., protective from high total cholesterol) and the ILI arm (HDL [1.40 (1.12-1.75)], triglyceride [1.28 (1.00-1.64)]). Prior year ADM use predicted subsequent elevated CVD risk status for the DSE arm (HDL [1.24 (1.03-1.50)], total cholesterol [1.28 (1.05-1.57)], current smoking [1.73 (1.04-2.88)]) and for the ILI arm (A1C [1.25 (1.08-1.46)], HDL [1.32 (1.11-1.58)], triglycerides [1.75 (1.43-2.14)], systolic blood pressure [1.39 (1.11-1.74)], and obesity [1.46 (1.22-2.18)]).

CONCLUSIONS

Aggressive monitoring of CVD risk in diabetic patients with depressive symptoms or who are treated with ADM may be warranted.

Modulation of lipoprotein metabolism by antisense technology: preclinical drug discovery methodology

Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are a new class of specific therapeutic agents that alter the intermediary metabolism of mRNA, resulting in the suppression of disease-associated gene products. ASOs exert their pharmacological effects after hybridizing, via Watson-Crick base pairing, to a specific target RNA. If appropriately designed, this event results in the recruitment of RNase H, the degradation of targeted mRNA or pre-mRNA, and subsequent inhibition of the synthesis of a specific protein. A key advantage of the technology is the ability to selectively inhibit targets that cannot be modulated by traditional therapeutics such as structural proteins, transcription factors, and, of topical interest, lipoproteins. In this chapter, we will first provide an overview of antisense technology, then more specifically describe the status of lipoprotein-related genes that have been studied using the antisense platform, and finally, outline the general methodology required to design and evaluate the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of those drugs.

Does early intensive multifactorial treatment reduce total cardiovascular burden in individuals with screen-detected diabetes? Findings from the ADDITION-Europe cluster-randomized trial

AIMS

To describe the total cardiovascular burden (cardiovascular morbidity or mortality, revascularization or non-traumatic amputation) in individuals with screen-detected diabetes in the ADDITION-Europe trial and to quantify the impact of the intervention on multiple cardiovascular events over 5 years.

METHODS

In a pragmatic, cluster-randomized, parallel-group trial in four centres (Denmark; Cambridge, UK; the Netherlands; and Leicester, UK), 343 general practices were randomized to screening plus routine care (n = 1379 patients), or screening and promotion of target-driven, intensive treatment of multiple risk factors (n = 1678). We estimated the effect of the intervention on multiple cardiovascular events after diagnosis of diabetes using the Wei, Lin and Weissfeld method.

RESULTS

Over 5.3 years, 167 individuals had exactly one cardiovascular event, 53 exactly two events, and 18 three or more events. The incidence rates (95% CI) of first events and any event per 1000 person-years were 14.6 (12.8-16.6) and 20.4 (18.2-22.6), respectively. There were non-significant reductions in the risk of a first (hazard ratio 0.83, 95% CI 0.65-1.05) and second primary endpoint (hazard ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.43-1.12). The overall average hazard ratio for any event was 0.77 (95% CI 0.58-1.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Early intensive multifactorial treatment was not associated with a significant reduction in total cardiovascular burden at 5 years. Focusing on first events in cardiovascular disease prevention trials underestimates the total cardiovascular burden to patients and the health service.

Diabetes and hypertension: the bad companions

High blood pressure is reported in over two-thirds of patients with type 2 diabetes, and its development coincides with the development of hyperglycaemia. Many pathophysiological mechanisms underlie this association. Of these mechanisms, insulin resistance in the nitric-oxide pathway; the stimulatory effect of hyperinsulinaemia on sympathetic drive, smooth muscle growth, and sodium-fluid retention; and the excitatory effect of hyperglycaemia on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system seem to be plausible. In patients with diabetes, hypertension confers an enhanced risk of cardiovascular disease. A blood pressure of lower than 140/85 mm Hg is a reasonable therapeutic goal in patients with type 2 diabetes according to clinical trial evidence. People with controlled diabetes have a similar cardiovascular risk to patients without diabetes but with hypertension. A renin-angiotensin system blocker combined with a thiazide-type diuretic might be the best initial antihypertensive regimen for most people with diabetes. In general, the positive effects of antihypertensive drugs on cardiovascular outcomes outweigh the negative effects of antihypertensive drugs on glucose metabolism.

Whey protein supplementation does not affect exercise training-induced changes in body composition and indices of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged overweight and obese adults

Little is known about the effects of different quantities of whey protein on exercise training-induced changes in body composition and indices of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged overweight and obese adults. Therefore, we examined the effects of consuming 0.8-MJ supplements with 0 (n = 126), 10 (n = 112), 20 (n = 44), or 30 (n = 45) g whey protein twice daily in conjunction with resistance (2 d/wk) and aerobic (1 d/wk) exercise training in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, community-based 9-mo study in men (n = 117) and women (n = 210); (age: 48 ± 7.9 y; BMI: 30.0 ± 2.8 kg/m(2)). Whey protein supplementation did not influence any of the following outcomes, some of which were affected by training. Among all participants, strength increased by 15 ± 12% (P < 0.001) and maximal oxygen uptake capacity (VO(2)max) increased by 9 ± 15% (P < 0.001). Body weight was unchanged (0.1 ± 3.7 kg, P = 0.80), lean body mass increased by 1.9 ± 2.8% (0.95 ± 1.3 kg, P < 0.001), and fat mass decreased by 2.6 ± 9.4% (-0.86 ± 3.1 kg, P = 0.001). Oral-glucose-tolerance testing showed that plasma glucose AUC was unchanged (-18.0 ± 170 mmol/L·  3 h, P = 0.16), insulin AUC decreased by 2.6 ± 32% (-7.5 ± 29 nmol/L·  3 h, P = 0.01), and HOMA-IR (0.2 ± 2.0, P = 0.81) and the insulin sensitivity index (0.3 ± 3.0, P = 0.63) were unchanged. Plasma concentrations of TG; total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol; C-reactive protein; plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; blood pressure; and waist circumference were unchanged. Whey protein supplementation did not affect exercise training-induced responses in body composition and indices of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged overweight and obese adults who maintained body weight.