Prognostic Impact of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients With Heart Failure: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Heart Failure Burden in Oman as a Mid-East Exemplar Versus Global Perspectives: An Integrative Review

Heart failure (HF), a clinical syndrome caused by a structural and functional cardiac abnormality and corroborated by elevated natriuretic peptide levels and pulmonary congestion. This study intends to investigate the state of heart failure (HF) in Oman and assess it in comparison of global trends. Ten published literatures from the past 20 years were included after a thorough search of databases (Arab World Research Source, EBSCOhost, Medline, and Google Scholar). These studies were reviewed considering the global literature. We have observed an increase in HF cases especially in older adults, over the past two decades in Oman. Acute coronary syndrome and non-compliance with medication are two factors that contribute to acute HF, according to recent research. Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of HF in the Omani population. The mortality rate for HF patients in Oman was reported to be 25% after a one-year follow-up. The younger population that is diagnosed with HF in Oman is significantly worse than in other nations, according to these data, which are consistent with global trends. The lack of published studies and data sets hampered our understanding of heart failure (HF); yet prevalence of HF is rising and is anticipated to surge with the rise in diabetes mellitus and hypertension and other related cardiovascular precursors. Therefore, HF requires more investigation. In terms of worldwide trends, HF in Oman appears to be even worse; additional information is required to grasp the full picture on HF.

Biomarker signature and pathophysiological pathways in patients with chronic heart failure and metabolic syndrome

AIM

The comorbidities that collectively define metabolic syndrome are common in patients with heart failure. However, the role of metabolic syndrome in the pathophysiology of heart failure is not well understood. We therefore investigated the clinical and biomarker correlates of metabolic syndrome in patients with heart failure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In 1103 patients with heart failure, we compared the biomarker expression using a panel of 363 biomarkers among patients with (n = 468 [42%]) and without (n = 635 [58%]) metabolic syndrome. Subsequently, a pathway overrepresentation analysis was performed to identify key biological pathways. Findings were validated in an independent cohort of 1433 patients with heart failure of whom 615 (43%) had metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome was defined as the presence of three or more of five criteria, including central obesity, elevated serum triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin resistance and hypertension. The most significantly elevated biomarkers in patients with metabolic syndrome were leptin (log2 fold change 0.92, p = 5.85 × 10^-21 ), fatty acid-binding protein 4 (log2 fold change 0.61, p = 1.21 × 10^-11 ), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (log2 fold change 0.47, p = 1.95 × 10^-13 ), tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 11a (log2 fold change 0.35, p = 4.16 × 10^-9 ), and proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase receptor Ret (log2 fold change 0.31, p = 4.87 × 10^-9 ). Network analysis identified 10 pathways in the index cohort and 6 in the validation cohort, all related to inflammation. The primary overlapping pathway in both the index and validation cohorts was up-regulation of the natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity pathway.

CONCLUSION

Metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in heart failure and is associated with biomarkers and pathways relating to obesity, lipid metabolism and immune responses underlying chronic inflammation.

Association between prediabetes and adverse outcomes in heart failure

AIMS

Patients with heart failure (HF) and with diabetes experienced significantly worse outcomes than those without diabetes. However, data on the prognostic impact of prediabetes in HF are inconclusive. This meta-analysis aimed to explore the association between prediabetes and the risk of all-cause mortality and adverse cardiac outcomes in patients with HF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched multiple electronic databases (PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar) for relevant studies up to 31 March 2021. Studies were included for analysis if multivariable adjusted relative risks of adverse outcomes were reported in patients with prediabetes and with HF compared with those with normoglycaemia. Random-effects models were used to calculate the pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Twelve studies comprising 28 643 patients with HF reported the risk of all-cause mortality and cardiac outcomes associated with prediabetes. The prevalence of prediabetes ranged from 9.6% to 37.2%. After a median follow-up duration of 2.3 years, patients with HF and with prediabetes were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.06-1.58), cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.09-2.32), HF hospitalization (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.09-1.61), all-cause mortality and/or HF hospitalization (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.01-1.47), as well as cardiovascular mortality and/or HF hospitalization (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.07-1.37).

CONCLUSIONS

Prediabetes is associated with a worse prognosis in patients with HF. Further risk stratification and effective treatment strategies are needed in patients with prediabetes and with HF to improve the prognosis.