Depressive symptoms and cognitive decline in older adults

OBJECTIVES

Few studies have examined the impact of late-life depression trajectories on specific domains of cognitive function. This study aims to delineate how different depressive symptom trajectories specifically affect cognitive function in older adults.

DESIGN

Prospective longitudinal cohort study.

SETTING

Australia and the United States of America.

PARTICIPANTS

In total, 11,035 community-dwelling older adults with a mean age of 75 years.

MEASUREMENTS

Depressive trajectories were modelled from depressive symptoms according to annual Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale 10 (CES-D-10) surveys. Four trajectories of depressive symptoms were identified: low ("nondepressed"), consistently mild ("subthreshold depression"), consistently moderate ("persistent depression"), and initially low but increasing ("emerging depression"). Global cognition (Modified Mini-Mental State Examination [3MS]), verbal fluency (Controlled Oral Word Association Test [COWAT]), processing speed (Symbol Digit Modalities Test [SDMT]), episodic memory (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test - Revised [HVLT-R]), and a composite z-score were assessed over a subsequent median 2 years.

RESULTS

Subthreshold depression predicted impaired performance on the SDMT (Cohen's d -0.04) and composite score (-0.03); emerging depression predicted impaired performance on the SDMT (-0.13), HVLT-R (-0.09), 3 MS (-0.08) and composite score (-0.09); and persistent depression predicted impaired performance on the SDMT (-0.08), 3 MS (-0.11), and composite score (-0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

Depressive symptoms are associated with later impaired processing speed. These effects are small. Diverse depression trajectories have different impacts on cognitive function.

Trauma and comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder in people with bipolar disorder participating in the Heinz C. Prechter Longitudinal Study

BACKGROUND

It is estimated that up to 50 % of people with bipolar disorder (BD) also have comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, little is known about the presentation and treatment of people with this comorbidity.

METHODS

Data from 577 individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder participating in the Heinz C. Prechter Longitudinal Study of BD were explored at baseline, year two and four. Three trauma groups were created: (i) one trauma (n = 75), (ii) multiple traumas (n = 417), and comorbid PTSD (n = 85). Measures of depression, mania, sleep, number of hospitalisations, suicide attempts, and medication use were analysed using regression modelling to determine differences between the three trauma groups.

RESULTS

There was an increase in depression, mania, and sleep scores and a higher number of hospitalisations in participants with comorbid PTSD compared to those experiencing one trauma. Additionally, increased mania and depression scores were reported in participants experiencing multiple traumas compared to those with one trauma. There was no difference in medication use between those who experienced one trauma compared to those with comorbid PTSD.

LIMITATIONS

The trauma groups may include confounding with more participants experiencing PTSD than reported in this study due to screening processes. Additionally, the severity of trauma was not recorded, therefore number of traumas was utilised as a proxy.

CONCLUSION

Comorbid BD and PTSD is associated with worse symptom scores compared to participants reporting one trauma. Clinical implications include the addition of trauma-informed care to clinical settings to identify PTSD to provide appropriate treatments.

Fiber intake and fiber intervention in depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies and randomized controlled trials

CONTEXT

Dietary fibers hold potential to influence depressive and anxiety outcomes by modulating the microbiota-gut-brain axis, which is increasingly recognized as an underlying factor in mental health maintenance.

OBJECTIVE

Evidence for the effects of fibers on depressive and anxiety outcomes remains unclear. To this end, a systematic literature review and a meta-analysis were conducted that included observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

DATA SOURCES

The PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and PsychINFO databases were searched for eligible studies.

DATA EXTRACTION

Study screening and risk-of-bias assessment were conducted by 2 independent reviewers.

DATA ANALYSIS

Meta-analyses via random effects models were performed to examine the (1) association between fiber intake and depressive and anxiety outcomes in observational studies, and (2) effect of fiber intervention on depressive and anxiety outcomes compared with placebo in RCTs. A total of 181 405 participants were included in 23 observational studies. In cross-sectional studies, an inverse association was observed between fiber intake and depressive (Cohen's d effect size [d]: -0.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.16, -0.05) and anxiety (d = -0.25; 95%CI, -0.38, -0.12) outcomes. In longitudinal studies, there was an inverse association between fiber intake and depressive outcomes (d = -0.07; 95%CI, -0.11, -0.04). In total, 740 participants were included in 10 RCTs, all of whom used fiber supplements. Of note, only 1 RCT included individuals with a clinical diagnosis of depression. No difference was found between fiber supplementation and placebo for depressive (d = -0.47; 95%CI, -1.26, 0.31) or anxiety (d = -0.30; 95%CI, -0.67, 0.07) outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Although observational data suggest a potential benefit for higher fiber intake for depressive and anxiety outcomes, evidence from current RCTs does not support fiber supplementation for improving depressive or anxiety outcomes. More research, including RCTs in clinical populations and using a broad range of fibers, is needed.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021274898.

Interpersonal Trauma and Depression Severity Among Individuals With Bipolar Disorder: Findings From the Prechter Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder

Background: Experiences of interpersonal trauma, both in childhood and in adulthood, can affect the trajectory of bipolar disorder (BD). However, the degree to which childhood and/or adult trauma impacts the longitudinal trajectory of depression severity among individuals with BD actively receiving treatment remains unclear.

Methods: The effects of childhood trauma (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire) and adult trauma (Life Events Checklist) on depression severity (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) were investigated in a treatment-receiving subsample with BD (DSM-IV) of the Prechter Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder (2005-present). A mixed-effects linear regression model was used to assess the trajectory of depression severity over 4 years.

Results: Depression severity was evaluated in 360 participants, of whom 267 (74.8%) reported a history of interpersonal trauma. A history of childhood trauma alone (n = 110) and childhood and adult trauma combined (n = 108)-but not adult trauma alone (n = 49) -were associated with greater depression severity at the 2-year and 6-year follow-up assessments. However, the trajectory of depression severity (ie, change over time) was similar between participants with a history of childhood trauma, those with a history of adult trauma, and those with no history of interpersonal trauma. Interestingly, participants with a history of both types of trauma showed more improvement in depression severity (ie, from year 2 to year 4: β = 1.67, P = .019).

Conclusions: Despite actively receiving treatment for BD, participants with a history of interpersonal trauma-particularly childhood trauma-presented with more severe depressive symptoms at several follow-up assessments. Hence, interpersonal trauma may represent an essential treatment target.

The effect of depressive symptoms on disability-free survival in healthy older adults: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Gerontology and ageing research are increasingly focussing on healthy life span (healthspan), the period of life lived free of serious disease and disability. Late-life depression (LLD) is believed to impact adversely on physical health. However, no studies have examined its effect on healthspan. This study investigated the effect of LLD and subthreshold depression on disability-free survival, a widely accepted measure of healthspan.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study used data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly study. Participants were aged ≥70 years (or ≥65 years for African-American and Hispanic participants) and free of dementia, physical disability and cardiovascular disease. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 10-item Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10). LLD and subthreshold depression were defined as CES-D-10 scores ≥8 and 3-7, respectively. Disability-free survival was defined as survival free of dementia and persistent physical disability.

RESULTS

A total of 19,110 participants were followed up for a maximum of 7.3 years. In female participants, LLD was associated with lower disability-free survival adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, medical comorbidities, polypharmacy, physical function and antidepressant use (HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.23-1.82). In male participants, LLD was associated with lower disability-free survival adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors (HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.03-1.64). Subthreshold depression was also associated with lower disability-free survival in both sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

LLD may be a common and important risk factor for shortened healthspan.

Prioritising Responses Of Nurses To deteriorating patient Observations (PRONTO): a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a facilitation intervention on recognition and response to clinical deterioration

BACKGROUND

Most hospitals use physiological signs to trigger an urgent clinical review. We investigated whether facilitation could improve nurses' vital sign measurement, interpretation, treatment and escalation of care for deteriorating patients.

METHODS

In a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial, we randomised 36 inpatient wards at four acute hospitals to receive standard clinical practice guideline (CPG) dissemination to ward staff (n=18) or facilitated implementation for 6 months following standard dissemination (n=18). Expert, hospital and ward facilitators tailored facilitation techniques to promote nurses' CPG adherence. Patient records were audited pre-intervention, 6 and 12 months post-intervention on randomly selected days. Escalation of care as per hospital policy was the primary outcome at 6 and 12 months after implementation. Patients, nurses and assessors were blinded to group assignment. Analysis was by intention-to-treat.

RESULTS

From 10 383 audits, improved escalation as per hospital policy was evident in the intervention group at 6 months (OR 1.47, 95% CI (1.06 to 2.04)) with a complete set of vital sign measurements sustained at 12 months (OR 1.22, 95% CI (1.02 to 1.47)). There were no significant differences in escalation of care as per hospital policy between study groups at 6 or 12 months post-intervention. After adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics, a significant change from T0 in mean length of stay between groups at 12 months favoured the intervention group (-2.18 days, 95% CI (-3.53 to -0.82)).

CONCLUSION

Multi-level facilitation significantly improved escalation as per hospital policy at 6 months in the intervention group that was not sustained at 12 months. The intervention group had increased vital sign measurement by nurses, as well as shorter lengths of stay for patients at 12 months. Further research is required to understand the dose of facilitation required to impact clinical practice behaviours and patient outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12616000544471p.

Personality traits as mediators of the relationship between childhood trauma and depression severity in bipolar disorder: A structural equation model

BACKGROUND

Childhood trauma is negatively associated with depression severity in bipolar disorder; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated whether personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness) mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and the severity of bipolar depression.

METHODS

Data from 209 individuals with bipolar disorder recruited for the Prechter Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder were analysed. Using structural equation modelling, we examined the direct and indirect associations between childhood trauma (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire) and depression severity (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) - with the personality traits (NEO Personality Inventory-Revised) as mediators.

RESULTS

The direct effect of childhood trauma on depression severity (standardised β = 0.32, 95% bootstrap confidence interval [CI] = 0.20-0.45, p < 0.001) and the indirect effect via neuroticism (standardised β = 0.03, 95% bootstrap CI [0.002, 0.07], p = 0.039) were significant; supporting a partial mediation model. The indirect effect accounted for 9% of the total effect of childhood trauma on depression severity (standardised β = 0.09, 95% bootstrap CI [0.002, 0.19], p = 0.046). The final model had a good fit with the data (comparative fit index = 0.96; root mean square error of approximation = 0.05, 90% CI = [0.02, 0.07]).

CONCLUSION

Personality traits may be relevant psychological mediators that link childhood trauma to a more severe clinical presentation of bipolar depression. Consequently, a person's personality structure may be a crucial operative factor to incorporate in therapeutic plans when treating individuals with bipolar disorder who report a history of childhood trauma.

Performance of Stepwise Screening Methods in Identifying Individuals at High Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in an Iranian Population

BACKGROUND

Recent evidence recommended stepwise screening methods for identifying individuals at high risk of type 2 diabetes to be recruited in the lifestyle intervention programs for the prevention of the disease. This study aims to assess the performance of different stepwise screening methods that combine non-invasive measurements with lab-based measurements for identifying those with 5-years incident type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

3037 participants aged ≥30 years without diabetes at baseline in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) were followed. Thirty-two stepwise screening methods were developed by combining a non-invasive measurement (an anthropometric measurement (waist-to-height ratio, WtHR) or a score based on a non-invasive risk score [Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool, AUSDRISK]) with a lab-based measurement (different cut-offs of fasting plasma glucose [FPG] or predicted risk based on three lab-based prediction models [Saint Antonio, SA; Framingham Offspring Study, FOS; and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities, ARIC]). The validation, calibration, and usefulness of lab-based prediction models were assessed before developing the stepwise screening methods. Cut-offs were derived either based on previous studies or decision-curve analyses.

RESULTS

203 participants developed diabetes in 5 years. Lab-based risk prediction models had good discrimination power (area under the curves [AUCs]: 0.80-0.83), achieved acceptable calibration and net benefits after recalibration for population's characteristics and were useful in a wide range of risk thresholds (5%-21%). Different stepwise methods had sensitivity ranged 20%-68%, specificity 70%-98%, and positive predictive value (PPV) 14%-46%; they identified 3%-33% of the screened population eligible for preventive interventions.

CONCLUSION

Stepwise methods have acceptable performance in identifying those at high risk of incident type 2 diabetes.

Health literacy and cardiovascular disease prevention: a systematic scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Health literacy is 'The skills and resources of a person to access, understand and use information to make decisions, and take action on their own health and healthcare'. Literature investigating cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and health literacy often exist in silos, only exploring one element of prevention. This protocol aims to establish a scoping method of articles investigating health literacy and CVD preventive practices or knowledge in lay populations.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A scoping review was deemed the most appropriate study design. The topic was conceptualised, with preliminary searching informing subsequent development of search strings. A search of the following databases will be conducted on 31 January 2022: MEDLINE, Global Health, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL. Studies included will be published in English, of appropriate design, measuring health literacy and some aspect of primary CVD prevention in lay-populations. These criteria will be tested against 25 'pilot' articles from the results, undergoing necessary review before screening commences. A secondary author will screen 10% of abstracts, with a third subject-matter expert reviewing conflicts.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed scholarly networks, most likely including journal publication and conference presentation.

ARTICLE SUMMARY

CVD is the leading cause of death around the world. This paper proposes an exploration of health literacy's relationship with CVD prevention as a whole, contrasting with the more segmented reviews currently published.

Attachment insecurity partially mediates the relationship between childhood trauma and depression severity in bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

Childhood trauma is associated with greater depression severity among individuals with bipolar disorder. However, the mechanisms that explain the link between childhood trauma and depression severity in bipolar disorder remain poorly understood. The mediational role of attachment insecurity in childhood and adulthood was assessed in the current study.

METHODS

Participants with bipolar disorder (N = 143) completed measures of childhood trauma (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire), attachment insecurity (Experiences in Close Relationships Scale) and depression severity (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) as part of the Prechter Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder. A sequential mediation model was tested using path analysis: the direct and indirect effects of childhood trauma on depression severity with attachment insecurity (attachment anxiety and avoidance) in childhood (mother and father) and adulthood (partner) as mediators were estimated.

RESULTS

The final path model demonstrated an excellent fit to the data (comparative fit index = 0.996; root mean square error of approximation = 0.021 [90% confidence interval = 0.000-0.073]). Supporting the hypothesised sequential mediation model, maternal attachment anxiety in childhood and romantic attachment avoidance in adulthood partially mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and depression severity; this effect accounted for 12% of the total effect of childhood trauma on depression severity.

CONCLUSION

Attachment insecurity in childhood and adulthood form part of the complex mechanism informing why people with bipolar disorder who have a history of childhood trauma experience greater depression severity. Addressing attachment insecurity represents a valuable psychotherapeutic treatment target for bipolar disorder.

Trajectories of depressive symptoms in older adults and associated health outcomes

With the progressive aging of the world's population, prolongation of a healthy lifespan in old age has become a medical research priority. The presence of depressive symptoms in later life is associated with poor health prognosis and increased mortality^1,2. Here we explore distinct trajectories of depressive symptoms in later life and their association with several health-related outcomes in 19,110 older individuals followed for a median of 4.7 years. Using a latent class, mixed-modeling approach we identified four distinct trajectories of depressive symptoms with scoring patterns of consistently low, moderate, emerging and persistently high. Compared to those with minimal depressive symptoms, membership of any other class was associated with specific patterns of baseline sociodemographic and medical factors. Membership of any group with depressive symptoms was associated with a higher likelihood of health events, including physical disability, cancer and major bleeding episodes. Membership of the persistently depressed class was associated with increased mortality, while a diagnosis of dementia was generally limited to the class with initially low and progressively rising symptoms. The course of depressive symptoms in older individuals can vary widely and depend on several factors. The presence of depressive symptoms, including those that do not meet criteria for major depression, can flag a poor prognosis and risk for specific health conditions. Systematic assessment of depressive symptoms may facilitate early identification of at-risk populations.

Coping with COVID-19: Exploring coping strategies, distress, and post-traumatic growth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore coping strategies, distress, and post-traumatic growth among Australians with and without a history of a mental health diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Australians (N = 381) completed an online survey between 4-August 2020 and 25-October-2020. Coping strategies, distress, and post-traumatic growth were ascertained via the Brief COPE, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), respectively. Linear regression was conducted to examine the relationship between the Brief COPE, DASS-21, and PTGI, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Models were conducted separately for those with/without a history of a mental health diagnosis.

RESULTS

Higher distress was found among those with a history of a mental health diagnosis. Significant differences in the types of coping strategies associated with distress and post-traumatic growth were identified between the groups, however, behavioral disengagement and self-blame consistently predicted depression, anxiety, and stress. For those with a history of a mental health diagnosis, positive reframing decreased anxiety. Self-distraction was associated with post-traumatic growth across both groups.

CONCLUSION

There are important differences in the way people with and without a history of a mental health diagnosis cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Risk of cancer in bipolar disorder and the potential role of lithium: International collaborative systematic review and meta-analyses

We examined bipolar disorder (BD) as a risk factor for developing cancer and the role of lithium on cancer incidence. We conducted two systematic review and meta-analyses of population-based studies providing data on these associations. We screened articles indexed in MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and PsycINFO up to August 2020. The first random-effects meta-analysis, based on 4,910,661 individuals from nine studies estimated an increased risk of cancer of any kind [RR = 1.24 (1.05-1.46); p < 0.01], especially breast cancer [RR = 1.33 (1.15-1.55); p < 0.01] in BD. The second random-effects meta-analysis, based on 2,606,187 individuals from five studies did not show increased risk of cancer in people with BD using lithium, and even suggested a small protective effect both in overall [RR = 0.94 (0.72-1.22); p = 0.66] and urinary cancer [RR = 0.93 (0.75-1.14); p = 0.48] although these findings did not reach statistical significance. The current evidence highlights that cancer risk is increased in individuals with BD, particularly breast cancer in women. Lithium may have a potential protective effect on cancer, including urinary cancer. The role of lithium as a mainstay of treatment for BD is reinforced by this study.

Performance of 4 Creatinine-based Equations in Assessing Glomerular Filtration Rate in Adults with Diabetes

AIMS

To evaluate diagnostic performance of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated by modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD), chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI), full age spectrum (FAS), and revised Lund-Malmö (r-LM) equations in adults with diabetes.

METHODS

Individuals were included in this cross-sectional study if they had at least 1 measurement of technetium-99m diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) GFR (mGFR) and serum creatinine (1487 patients with 2703 measures). GFR calculated by estimation equations was compared with mGFR. Diagnostic performance was assessed using concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), bias, precision, accuracy, reduced major axis regression (RMAR), and Bland-Altman plot. Analysis was repeated in subgroups based on sex, diabetes type, Hemoglobin A1C, and GFR level.

RESULTS

Of all patients, 1189 (86%) had type 2 diabetes. Mean mGFR, MDRD, CKD-EPI, FAS, and revised Lund-Malmö eGFR were 66, 72, 74, 71, and 67 mL/min/1.73m2, respectively. Overall, the r-LM had the highest CCC (0.83), lowest bias (-1.4 mL/min/1.73 m2), highest precision (16.2 mL/min/1.73 m2), and highest accuracy (P10 = 39%). The RMAR (slope, intercept) in r-LM, FAS, MDRD, and CKD-EPI was 1.18, -13.35; 0.97, -2.9; 1, -6.4, and 1.04, -11.3, respectively. The Bland-Altman plot showed that r-LM had the lowest mean difference and the narrowest 95% limit of agreement (-1.0, 54.1 mL/min/1.73 m2), while mean difference was more than 5-fold higher in FAS, MDRD, and CKD-EPI (-5.2, -6.3, and -8.2, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In adults with diabetes the revised Lund-Malmö performs better than MDRD, CKD-EPI, and FAS in calculating point estimates of GFR.

Evaluation of the diagnostic performance of the creatinine-based Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation in people with diabetes: A systematic review

AIMS

GFR estimated with the creatinine-based Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI_Cr ) equation is used to screen for diabetic kidney disease and assess its severity. We systematically reviewed the process and outcome of evaluating CKD-EPI_Cr in estimating point GFR or GFR decline over time in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

In this systematic review, MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched up to August 2019. Observational studies comparing CKD-EPI_Cr with measured GFR (mGFR) in adults with diabetes were included. Studies on people with kidney transplant, non-diabetes related kidney disease, pregnancy, potential kidney donors, and those with critical or other systematic illnesses were excluded. Two independent reviewers extracted data from published papers and disagreements were resolved by consensus. Risk-of-bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42018108776).

RESULTS

From the 2820 records identified, 29 studies (14 704 participants) were included. All studies were at risk of bias. Bias (eight different forms) ranged from -26 to 35 ml min^-1  1.73 m^-2 ; precision (five different forms) ranged between 9 and 63 ml min^-1  1.73 m^-2 ; accuracy (five different forms) ranged between 16% and 96%; the correlation coefficient between CKD-EPI_Cr and mGFR (four different forms) ranged between 0.38 and 0.86; and the reduced major axis regression slope ranged between 0.8 and 1.8.

CONCLUSIONS

Qualitative synthesis of data suggested CKD-EPI_Cr was inaccurate in estimating point GFR or GFR decline over time. Furthermore, a lack of consistency in the methods and processes of evaluating the diagnostic performance of CKD-EPI_Cr limits reliable quantitative assessment. The equation needs to be improved in adults with diabetes.

The external validity and performance of the no-laboratory American Diabetes Association screening tool for identifying undiagnosed type 2 diabetes among the Iranian population

AIMS

The aim of this study is to assess the American Diabetes Association (ADA) risk score as a self-assessment screening tool for undiagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Iran.

METHODS

In a national survey of risk factors for non-communicable diseases, we included 3458 Iranian adults. The discrimination and validity were assessed using the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, Youden's index, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV). The frequency of high-risk Iranian population who need a glucose test and those who need intervention were also estimated.

RESULTS

The AUC was 73.7% and the suggested ADA score of ≥5 yielded a sensitivity of 51.6%, specificity 82.4%, NPV 98.3%, and PPV 7.9%. This threshold results in classifying 18.6% of the Iranians, equals to 8.5 million, as high-risk and 1.5% of the population, about 700,000, would need intervention. However, our study suggested score ≥4 that identified 34% of the population as high-risk and 2% of the population would need intervention.

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the ADA suggested threshold for identifying high-risk individuals for undiagnosed T2DM; however, a lower threshold is also recommended for higher sensitivity. The ADA screening tool could help the public health system for low-cost screening.

My Diabetes Coach, a Mobile App-Based Interactive Conversational Agent to Support Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management: Randomized Effectiveness-Implementation Trial

BACKGROUND

Delivering self-management support to people with type 2 diabetes mellitus is essential to reduce the health system burden and to empower people with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to take an active role in managing their own health.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the adoption, use, and effectiveness of the My Diabetes Coach (MDC) program, an app-based interactive embodied conversational agent, Laura, designed to support diabetes self-management in the home setting over 12 months.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial evaluated both the implementation and effectiveness of the MDC program. Adults with type 2 diabetes in Australia were recruited and randomized to the intervention arm (MDC) or the control arm (usual care). Program use was tracked over 12 months. Coprimary outcomes included changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Data were assessed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months, and analyzed using linear mixed-effects regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 187 adults with type 2 diabetes (mean 57 years, SD 10 years; 41.7% women) were recruited and randomly allocated to the intervention (n=93) and control (n=94) arms. MDC program users (92/93 participants) completed 1942 chats with Laura, averaging 243 min (SD 212) per person over 12 months. Compared with baseline, the mean estimated HbA_1c decreased in both arms at 12 months (intervention: 0.33% and control: 0.20%), but the net differences between the two arms in change of HbA_1c (-0.04%, 95% CI -0.45 to 0.36; P=.83) was not statistically significant. At 12 months, HRQoL utility scores improved in the intervention arm, compared with the control arm (between-arm difference: 0.04, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.07; P=.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The MDC program was successfully adopted and used by individuals with type 2 diabetes and significantly improved the users' HRQoL. These findings suggest the potential for wider implementation of technology-enabled conversation-based programs for supporting diabetes self-management. Future studies should focus on strategies to maintain program usage and HbA_1c improvement.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN) 12614001229662; https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12614001229662.

Effects of a lifestyle intervention on cardiovascular risk among high-risk individuals for diabetes in a low- and middle-income setting: Secondary analysis of the Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program

We aimed to examine whether a lifestyle intervention was effective in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in individuals at high-risk of developing diabetes in a low- and middle-income setting. The Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program was evaluated by a cluster-randomized controlled trial (2013-2016) of 1007 individuals (aged 30-60 years) at high-risk for diabetes (Indian Diabetes Risk Score ≥ 60 and without diabetes) in Kerala state, India. Sixty polling areas in Kerala were randomized to intervention or control groups by an independent statistician using a computer-generated randomization sequence. Participants from 30 intervention communities received a 12-month structured peer-support lifestyle intervention program involving 15 group sessions and linked community activities, aimed at supporting and maintaining lifestyle change. The primary outcome for this analysis was the predicted 10-year CVD risk at two years, assessed using the Framingham Risk Score. The mean age at baseline was 46.0 (SD: 7.5) years, and 47.2% were women. Baseline 10-year CVD risk was similar between study groups. The follow-up rate at two years was 95.7%. The absolute risk reduction in predicted 10-year CVD risk between study groups was 0.69% (95% CI: 0.09% to 1.29%, p=0.024) at one year and 0.69% (95% CI: 0.10% to 1.29%, p=0.023) at two years. The favorable change in CVD risk with the intervention condition was mainly due to the reduction in tobacco use (change index: -0.25, 95% CI: -0.42 to -0.09). Our findings suggest that a community-based peer-support lifestyle intervention could reduce CVD risk in individuals at high-risk of developing diabetes in India. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12611000262909.

Long-term effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention on the prevention of type 2 diabetes in a middle-income country

This study aims to assess the effects of a community-based lifestyle intervention program on the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D). For this purpose, three communities in Tehran were chosen; one community received a face-to-face educational session embedded in a long-term community-wide lifestyle intervention aimed at supporting lifestyle changes. We followed up 9,204 participants (control: 5,739, intervention: 3,465) triennially from 1999 to 2015 (Waves 1-5). After a median follow-up of 3.5 years (wave 2), the risk of T2D was 30% lower in the intervention community as compared with two control communities by (Hazard-ratio: 0.70 [95% CI 0.53; 0.91]); however, the difference was not statistically significant in the following waves. After a median follow-up of 11.9 years (wave 5), there was a non-significant 6% reduction in the incidence of T2D in the intervention group as compared to the control group (Hazard-ratio: 0.94 [0.81, 1.08]). Moreover, after 11.9 years of follow-up, the intervention significantly improved the diet quality measured by the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension concordance (DASH) score. Mean difference in DASH score in the intervention group versus control group was 0.2 [95% CI 0.1; 0.3]. In conclusion, the intervention prevented T2D by 30% in the short-term (3.5 years) but not long-term; however, effects on improvement of the diet maintained in the long-term.Registration: This study is registered at IRCT, a WHO primary registry ( https://irct.ir ). The registration date 39 is 2008-10-29 and the IRCT registration number is IRCT138705301058N1.

Effect of a Peer-led Lifestyle Intervention on Individuals With Normal Weight Obesity: Insights From the Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program

PURPOSE

Normal weight obesity (NWO) is a unique phenotype of obesity associated with high cardiovascular mortality. There is limited literature on assessing the effect of therapeutic interventions on the cardiometabolic health of these individuals. We studied the effect of a peer-led lifestyle intervention on key cardiometabolic parameters (blood glucose, blood pressure, and plasma lipids) in individuals with NWO.

METHODS

This study is a secondary data analysis of the Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program, a cluster-randomized controlled study that involves a peer-led, real-life lifestyle intervention for individuals from the community between the ages of 30 and 60 years with a high diabetes risk. Participants underwent a rigorous cardiometabolic evaluation at baseline and at 2-year follow-up.

FINDINGS

A total of 292 recruited individuals with NWO were randomized into the intervention (n = 159) and control (n = 133) arms. At 2 years of follow-up, there was minimal but statistically significant improvement in systolic blood pressure and serum HDL level in the intervention arm, but no statistical difference was seen in other lipid and glycemic parameters.

IMPLICATIONS

This study provides early evidence of the effect of a lifestyle intervention in a cohort of individuals with NWO. Only systolic blood pressure and serum HDL level had a mild favorable change in the intervention arm when compared with the control arm.

Patterns of Association between Depressive Symptoms and Chronic Medical Morbidities in Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between depressive symptoms and several medical morbidities, and their combination, in a large older population.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study of baseline data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial.

SETTING

Multicentric study conducted in Australia and the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 19,110 older adults (mean age = 75 years [standard deviation = ±4.5]).

MEASUREMENTS

Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D 10) scale. Medical morbidities were defined according to condition-specific methods. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to test associations before and after accounting for possible confounders.

RESULTS

Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with obesity (OR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.07-1.32), diabetes (OR = 1.22; 95% CI = 1.05-1.42), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (OR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.28-1.57), metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.03-1.29), osteoarthritis (OR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.27-1.57), respiratory conditions (OR = 1.25; 95% CI = 1.10-1.42), history of cancer (OR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.05-1.34), Parkinson's disease (OR = 2.56; 95% CI = 1.83-3.56), polypharmacy (OR = 1.60; 95% CI = 1.44-1.79), and multimorbidity (OR = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.12-1.49). No significant association was observed between depressive symptoms and hypertension, chronic kidney disease, dyslipidemia, and gout (P > .05). A significant dose-response relationship was evident between the number of medical comorbidities and the prevalence of depression (OR = 1.18; 95% CI = 1.13-1.22).

CONCLUSION

Late-life depressive symptoms are significantly associated with several medical morbidities, and there appears to be a cumulative effect of the number of somatic diseases on the prevalence of depression. These findings augment the evidence for a complex relationship between mental and physical health in an otherwise healthy older population and might guide clinicians toward early recognition of high-risk individuals. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1834-1841, 2020.

Metabolic health in the Middle East and north Africa

The Middle East and north Africa are home to different populations with widely varying cultures, histories, and socioeconomic settings. Hence, their health status, health management, and access to appropriate health care differ accordingly. In this Review, we examine data on the historical and prospective status of metabolic diseases in this region including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Women in the Middle East and north Africa have the highest risk of metabolic diseases of all women globally, whereas men rank second of all men in this respect. Metabolic risk factors are responsible for more than 300 deaths per 100 000 individuals in this region, compared with a global mean of fewer than 250. Physical inactivity, especially in women, and an unhealthy diet (ie, low consumption of whole grains, nuts, and seafoods) stand out. More than one in every three women are obese in most countries of the region. Prevention programmes have not fully been achieved in most of these countries and the projected future is not optimistic. Comprehensive surveillance and monitoring of metabolic diseases, robust multisectoral systems that support primordial and primary preventions, continuous education of health-care providers, as well as collaboration between countries for joint projects in this region are urgently needed to overcome the paucity of data and to improve the metabolic health status of inhabitants in the Middle East and north Africa.

Variation in the prevalence of depression and patterns of association, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors in community-dwelling older adults in six low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUND

Data from the World Health Organization Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) were used to estimate the prevalence of depression in older adults in six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), namely China, Ghana, India, Mexico, the Russian Federation, and South Africa, and to examine the relationship between demographic and lifestyle characteristics and depression.

METHOD

A total of 33,421 participants aged ≥ 50 years were included. A set of diagnostic questions from the World Mental Health Survey was used within SAGE to define depression.

RESULTS

The crude population prevalence of depression was 7.4% [95%CI: 6.5%-8.3%] ranging from 1.5% in China to 15.2% in India. It was higher in females 8.6% [7.6%-9.6%] compared to males 6.1% [5.0%-7.2%]. The age-standardized prevalence of depression was 7.8% [6.3%-9.6%] in pooled data, 8.9% [6.9%-11.1%] in females and 6.6% [4.6%-9.0%] in males. Greater fruit (0.89[0.84-0.93]) and vegetable intake (0.94 [0.89-1.00]) was associated with a lower prevalence of depression. Furthermore, those who were older, female, underweight, and with lower education and lower wealth, had higher prevalence of depression.

LIMITATIONS

The cross-sectional design of this study precluded conclusions on causality.

CONCLUSION

In nationally-representative samples of older adults in six LMICs, an average of one in every 13 participants suffered from depression. The prevalence of depression varied considerably between countries, sexes, and with wealth and educational disadvantage. Increased fruit and vegetable intake appeared to co-occur with significantly lower rates of depression, suggesting diet as a modifiable factor for addressing depression burden.

Co-occurrence of depression with chronic diseases among the older population living in low- and middle-income countries: A compound health challenge

BACKGROUND

Few studies have examined the associations between mental and physical health conditions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim of this study was to evaluate comorbidity of depression and other chronic diseases in community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the World Health Organization Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) implemented in 6 LMICs: China, Ghana, India, Mexico, the Russian Federation, and South Africa. A total of 33,508 participants age ≥50 were included in this analysis. Demographics, socioeconomic status, anthropometrics, depression, and chronic diseases status were collected using well-validated instruments in all countries. Multivariate analyses were used to examine the association between depression and comorbid conditions.

RESULTS

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (odds ratio: 1.39 [95% confidence interval: 1.15, 1.68]), arthritis (1.82 [1.52, 2.18]), asthma (3.20 [2.56, 4.00]), chronic lung disease (3.77 [3.08, 4.62]), angina (2.48 [2.01, 3.05]), and stroke (2.74 [2.18, 3.45]) were positively associated with depression prevalence (all P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Noting the strong association between depression and other chronic diseases in our sample of older adults from 6 LMICs, additional vigilance and screening through informal and formal health care systems would help to decrease the impact of comorbidity on the health and well-being of older populations.

Long-Term Effectiveness of a Lifestyle Intervention: A Pragmatic Community Trial to Prevent Metabolic Syndrome

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of a community-based lifestyle education on primary prevention of metabolic syndrome in a middle-income country.

STUDY DESIGN

This study followed 3,180 individuals free of metabolic syndrome who were under the coverage of three health centers in Tehran from 1999 until 2015. They were undergoing triennial examinations resulting in four re-exams. People in one of three areas received interventions consisting of family-, school-, and community-based educational programs, including a face-to-face educational session at baseline. Data were analyzed considering the incidence of metabolic syndrome at each re-exam and also repeated-measure analysis including all re-exams together. Weighting was considered to correct selection bias because of loss to follow-up. Data were analyzed in 2017.

RESULTS

After 3 years, 149 of 852 participants in the intervention and 471 of 2,328 people in control area developed metabolic syndrome at first re-exam resulting in a RR of 0.78 (95% CI=0.67, 0.92). The difference between groups remained unchanged up to the 6-year follow-up (RR=0.79, 95% CI=0.66, 0.93, at second re-exam), but disappeared during the third and fourth re-exams (RR=1.04, 95% CI=0.91, 1.18 and RR=1.03, 95% CI=0.91, 1.16, respectively). Marginal models for longitudinal data showed a significant interaction between intervention and time of re-exams. Further analyses showed that the effect of the intervention might have been rooted in improvement of lipid profile and glucose level.

CONCLUSIONS

In a middle-income country, face-to-face educational sessions followed by a long-term maintenance community-level educational program could reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome for up to 6 years. A booster face-to-face session is recommended to retain this preventive effect.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study is registered at Iran Registry for Clinical Trials (http://irct.ir) IRCT138705301058N1.

Non-invasive Risk Prediction Models in Identifying Undiagnosed Type 2 Diabetes or Predicting Future Incident Cases in the Iranian Population

BACKGROUND

Iran needs pragmatic screening methods for identifying those with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes or at high risk of developing it. The aim of this study was to assess performance of three non-invasive risk prediction models, i.e. the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC), the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool (AUSDRISK), and the American Diabetes Association Risk Score (ADA), for identifying those with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes (prevalent type 2 diabetes at baseline without any treatment) or those who would develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years of follow-up.

METHODS

3467 participants aged ≥30 years without treated type 2 diabetes in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) were included in this study. The discrimination power of models was assessed by area under the curve (AUC), their calibrations were assessed by calibration plots and Hosmer-Lemeshow test, and their net benefits were assessed by decision curves.

RESULTS

430 participants had undiagnosed type 2 diabetes at baseline and 203 developed type 2 diabetes during 5 years of followup. AUSDRISK had the highest AUC (0.77) as compared to FINDRISC (0.75; P value: 0.014), and the ADA model (0.73; P value: <0.001). The original model for AUSDRISK and calibrated versions of FINDRISC and ADA models had acceptable calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow chi-square <20) and these models were clinically useful in a wide range of risk thresholds as their net benefit was higher than no-screening scenarios.

CONCLUSION

The original AUSDRISK model and recalibrated models for FINDRISC and ADA are valid and effective tools for identifying those with undiagnosed or 5-year incident type 2 diabetes in Iran.

Effect of cardiac rehabilitation on 24-month all-cause hospital readmissions: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Ageing populations and increasing survival following acute coronary syndrome has resulted in large numbers of people living with cardiovascular disease and at high risk of hospitalizations. Rising hospital admissions have a significant financial cost to the healthcare system.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to determine whether cardiac rehabilitation is protective against long-term hospital readmission (frequency and length) following acute coronary syndrome.

METHODS

Data from 416 Australian patients with acute coronary syndrome enrolled in the Anxiety Depression and heart rate Variability in cardiac patients: Evaluating the impact of Negative emotions on functioning after Twenty four months (ADVENT) prospective cohort study between January 2013-June 2014 was analyzed secondarily. Participants self-reported cardiac rehabilitation attendance over the 12 months post-discharge. All-cause readmission data were extracted from hospital records 24 months post-index event. The association between cardiac rehabilitation and all-cause readmission, frequency of readmissions, and length of stay was assessed using three methods (a) regression analysis, (b) propensity score matching, and (c) inverse probability treatment weighting.

RESULTS

Overall, 416 patients consented (53% of eligible patients), of which 414 (99.5%) survived the first 30 days post-discharge and were included in the analysis. Medical records were located for 409 participants after 24 months (98% follow-up rate). In total, 267 (65%) reported attending cardiac rehabilitation; there were 392 readmissions by 239 patients. Cardiac rehabilitation attendance was not associated with all-cause hospital readmission; however, it was associated with lower frequency of hospital admissions (odds ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval: 0.31-0.91 p-value:0.022) and length of stay (coefficient -1.21 days, 95% confidence interval: -2.46-0.26; marginally significant p-value: 0.055) in adjusted models.

CONCLUSION

This study substantiates the long-term benefits of cardiac rehabilitation on readmissions, including length of stay, which would result in lower costs to the healthcare system.

Depression and chronic diseases: Co-occurrence and communality of risk factors

BACKGROUND

The aim of current study is to assess the cross-sectional association of chronic non-communicable diseases (diabetes mellitus, arthritis, asthma, chronic lung disease, angina, and stroke) with both diagnosed and undiagnosed depression in the World Health Organization (WHO) Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Wave 1, a study of adults in six low- and middle-income countries.

METHODS

A total of 41,810 participants, aged ≥ 18 years, were included. Depression status was assessed by standard methods derived from the World Mental Health Survey (WHH-CIDI). Undiagnosed depression was defined as a depressed person who did not report history of diagnosis/treatment for depression. Associations between depression/undiagnosed depression and chronic diseases, adjusting for country of residence, demographics and chronic diseases risk factors were assessed.

RESULTS

Depression was detected in 2508 (6.0%) cases, from whom 2098 (87%) were undiagnosed. Diabetes (Odds ratio:1.47[95%CI:1.24,1.75]), arthritis (2.14[1.82,2.52]), asthma (3.36[2.73,4.14]), chronic lung disease (3.74[3.10,4.51]), angina (3.20[2.66,3.85]), and stroke (3.14[2.55,3.86]) were associated with depression (p-values < 0.001). Being older, female, underweight, and having lower education, and lower income were positively associated with depression. The estimated odds ratios were similar for undiagnosed depression.

LIMITATIONS

Cross-sectional design of study prevent us to determine whether depression followed exposures in time. About 12% of the participant did not have data for depression status and were excluded from the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Most depression cases were undiagnosed. Depression/undiagnosed depression were strongly associated with chronic diseases; stronger than what has been reported in developed countries.

World Bank Income Group, Health Expenditure or Cardiometabolic Risk Factors? A Further Explanation of the Wide Gap in Cardiometabolic Mortality Between Worldwide Countries: An Ecological Study

BACKGROUND

For addressing the burden of non-communicable diseases and policymaking, the world health organization uses World Bank income group to classify countries. This calcification method might not be optimal. This study aimed to investigate the role of World Bank income group, health expenditure, and cardiometabolic risk factors of countries in explaining the gap between their cardiometabolic mortality.

METHODS

In total, 190 countries were categorized into four income groups according to the World Bank definition. The energy consumption, health expenditure, and data of sex-specified age-standardized prevalence of obesity, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and physical inactivity in 2008 and cardiometabolic mortality in 2012 were used. Multivariable-adjusted mixed-effect linear regression models were applied to relate country-level predictors to their mortality outcomes.

RESULTS

While the lowest cardiometabolic mortality was recorded in high-income countries in both genders, the highest rates were recorded in the low-income category for women and in low and middle-income for men. Countries had lower cardiometabolic mortality for women compared to men; however, such a difference was not shown in low-income countries. World Bank income group of countries, per se, explained one-third of the variation in their mortality outcomes while adding health expenditure, energy consumption, and cardiometabolic risk factors increased the explanatory power of the model considerably. Moreover, the more the health expenditure, the weaker the association of prevalence of hypertension with cardiometabolic mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Adding countries' health expenditure and/or the prevalence of risk factors to their World Bank income group may contribute to the better explanation of the gap between them in cardiometabolic mortality.

Optimal cut-points of different anthropometric indices and their joint effect in prediction of type 2 diabetes: results of a cohort study

Background

To determine the anthropometric indices that would predict type 2 diabetes (T2D) and delineate their optimal cut-points.

Methods

In a cohort study, 7017 Iranian adults, aged 20–60 years, free of T2D at baseline were investigated. Using Cox proportional hazard models, hazard ratios (HRs) for incident T2D per 1 SD change in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to height ratio (WHtR), waist to hip ratio (WHR), and hip circumference (HC) were calculated. The area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves (AUC) was calculated to compare the discriminative power of anthropometric variables for incident T2D. Cut-points of each index were estimated by the maximum value of Youden’s index and fixing the sensitivity at 75%. Using the derived cut-points, joint effects of BMI and other obesity indices on T2D hazard were assessed.

Results

During a median follow-up of 12 years, 354 men, and 490 women developed T2D. In both sexes, 1 SD increase in anthropometric variables showed significant association with incident T2D, except for HC in multivariate adjusted model in men. In both sexes, WHtR had the highest discriminatory power while HC had the lowest. The derived cut-points for BMI, WC, WHtR, WHR, and HC were 25.56 kg/m², 89 cm, 0.52, 0.91, and 96 cm in men and 27.12 kg/m², 87 cm, 0.56, 0.83, and 103 cm in women, respectively. Assessing joint effects of BMI and each of the obesity measures in the prediction of incident T2D showed that among both sexes, combined high values of obesity indices increase the specificity for the price of reduced sensitivity and positive predictive value.

Conclusions

Our derived cut-points differ between both sexes and are different from other ethnicities.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-018-5611-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A peer-support lifestyle intervention for preventing type 2 diabetes in India: A cluster-randomized controlled trial of the Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program

BACKGROUND

The major efficacy trials on diabetes prevention have used resource-intensive approaches to identify high-risk individuals and deliver lifestyle interventions. Such strategies are not feasible for wider implementation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer-support lifestyle intervention in preventing type 2 diabetes among high-risk individuals identified on the basis of a simple diabetes risk score.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

The Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program was a cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in 60 polling areas (clusters) of Neyyattinkara taluk (subdistrict) in Trivandrum district, Kerala state, India. Participants (age 30-60 years) were those with an Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) ≥60 and were free of diabetes on an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). A total of 1,007 participants (47.2% female) were enrolled (507 in the control group and 500 in the intervention group). Participants from intervention clusters participated in a 12-month community-based peer-support program comprising 15 group sessions (12 of which were led by trained lay peer leaders) and a range of community activities to support lifestyle change. Participants from control clusters received an education booklet with lifestyle change advice. The primary outcome was the incidence of diabetes at 24 months, diagnosed by an annual OGTT. Secondary outcomes were behavioral, clinical, and biochemical characteristics and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A total of 964 (95.7%) participants were followed up at 24 months. Baseline characteristics of clusters and participants were similar between the study groups. After a median follow-up of 24 months, diabetes developed in 17.1% (79/463) of control participants and 14.9% (68/456) of intervention participants (relative risk [RR] 0.88, 95% CI 0.66-1.16, p = 0.36). At 24 months, compared with the control group, intervention participants had a greater reduction in IDRS score (mean difference: -1.50 points, p = 0.022) and alcohol use (RR 0.77, p = 0.018) and a greater increase in fruit and vegetable intake (≥5 servings/day) (RR 1.83, p = 0.008) and physical functioning score of the HRQoL scale (mean difference: 3.9 score, p = 0.016). The cost of delivering the peer-support intervention was US$22.5 per participant. There were no adverse events related to the intervention. We did not adjust for multiple comparisons, which may have increased the overall type I error rate.

CONCLUSIONS

A low-cost community-based peer-support lifestyle intervention resulted in a nonsignificant reduction in diabetes incidence in this high-risk population at 24 months. However, there were significant improvements in some cardiovascular risk factors and physical functioning score of the HRQoL scale.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12611000262909.

Trend of cardiovascular risk factors in the older Iranian population: 2002-2014

AIM

Current study aimed to investigate the sex-stratified secular trend of cardiovascular disease risk factors among an older population in Iran during a median follow-up period of 8.76 years.

METHODS

A total of 1490 participants (733 women) aged ≥60 years were evaluated in four study phases of 2002-2005, 2005-2008, 2008-2011 and 2011-2014. The trends of cardiovascular disease risk factors for each sex were estimated using generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

The age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, central obesity, and chronic kidney disease at the baseline was 24%, 43%, 55%, and 32% in men and 31%, 57%, 60% and 53% in women, respectively, and had noticeable upward trend during the study period to reach 35%, 56%, 61% and 51% in men, and 42%, 71%, 74% and 67% in women, respectively. However, lipid profile parameters showed favorable trends. Despite the increasing trend in drug consumption, approximately 27% of women with diabetes and 37% of men with diabetes did not use antidiabetic medication, respectively; the results were 23% and 35% for hypertensive women and men, respectively. Among men, there was a decreasing trend towards low physical activity, from 40% at baseline to 26% at the most recent follow up. The prevalence of smoking remained steady throughout follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the benefits of lipid lowering, the status of other risk factor profiles are often suboptimal in both sexes. There remains much room for improvement in risk factors management, particularly for hypertension, smoking and adiposity status, and a need for an intervention. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 130-137.

Risk Factors for Incidence of Cardiovascular Diseases and All-Cause Mortality in a Middle Eastern Population over a Decade Follow-up: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

BACKGROUND

To examine the association between potentially modifiable risk factors with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality and to quantify their population attributable fractions (PAFs) among a sample of Tehran residents.

METHODS

Overall, 8108 participants (3686 men) aged≥30 years, were investigated. To examine the association between risk factors and outcomes, multivariate sex-adjusted Cox proportional hazard regression analysis were conducted, using age as time-scale in two models including general/central adiposity: 1)adjusted for different independent variables including smoking, education, family history of CVD and sex for both outcomes and additionally adjusted for prevalent CVD for all-cause mortality 2)further adjusted for obesity mediators (hypertension, diabetes, lipid profile and chronic kidney disease). Separate models were used including either general or central adiposity.

RESULTS

During median follow-up of >10 years, 827 first CVD events and 551 deaths occurred. Both being overweight (hazard ratio (HR), 95%CI: 1.41, 1.18-1.66, PAF 13.66) and obese (1.51, 1.24-1.84, PAF 9.79) played significant roles for incident CVD in the absence of obesity mediators. Predicting CVD, in the presence of general adiposity and its mediators, significant positive associations were found for hypercholesterolemia (1.59, 1.36-1.85, PAF 16.69), low HDL-C (1.21, 1.03-1.41, PAF 12.32), diabetes (1.86, 1.57-2.27, PAF 13.87), hypertension (1.79, 1.46-2.19, PAF 21.62) and current smoking (1.61, 1.34-1.94, PAF 7.57). Central adiposity remained a significant positive predictor, even after controlling for mediators (1.17, 1.01-1.35, PAF 7.55). For all-cause mortality, general/central obesity did not have any risk even in the absence of obesity mediators. Predictors including diabetes (2.56, 2.08-3.16, PAF 24.37), hypertension (1.43, 1.11-1.84, PAF 17.13), current smoking (1.75, 1.38-2.22, PAF 7.71), and low education level (1.59, 1.01-2.51, PAF 27.08) were associated with higher risk, however, hypertriglyceridemia (0.83, 0.68-1.01) and being overweight (0.71, 0.58-0.87) were associated with lower risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Modifiable risk factors account for more than 70% risk for both CVD and mortality events.

Trends in cardiovascular disease risk factors in people with and without diabetes mellitus: a Middle Eastern cohort study

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

To investigate secular trends in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors during a decade of follow-up in a Middle Eastern cohort, and to compare observed trends between diabetic and non-diabetic populations.

METHODS

In a population of 6181 participants (2622 males and 3559 females), diabetes status and CVD risk factors were evaluated in 4 study phases from 1999-2011. 1045 subjects had type 2 diabetes mellitus at baseline and 5136 participants were diabetes-free. To examine the trends of CVD risk factors, generalized estimation equation models were constructed. The interaction between the diabetes status and each phase of the study was checked in a separate model.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period diabetic females significantly gained better control of their blood pressure, serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol and general and central obesity measures compared to non-diabetic counterparts, although 60% of them had high BP and 64% had high serum LDL-C levels till the end of the study. Diabetic males however, experienced significantly better control on their serum LDL-C and general and central obesity measures compared to their non-diabetic controls; but 24% of them were still smoker, 63% had high BP and 60% had high serum LDL-C levels at the end of the follow-up (all Ps interaction <0.05). Use of lipid-lowering and antihypertensive medications increased consistently in both diabetic and non-diabetic populations.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Although CVD risk factors have been controlled to some extent among diabetic population in Iran, still high numbers of people with diabetes have uncontrolled CVD risk factors that prompt more attention.

Distribution of ideal cardiovascular health in a community-based cohort of Middle East population

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To improve cardiovascular (CV) health of American population, the American Heart Association (AHA) developed definitions of ideal, intermediate, and poor CV health based on 7 accessible health metrics. The applicability of this construct and the distribution of its components in the community-based populations in the Middle East region have not been reported.

DESIGN AND SETTINGS

A prospective population-based cohort study conducted from 1999 to 2011.

METHODS

We used data from phase 4 of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (2009-2011) (2861 women and 2004 men, aged >= 20 years) to estimate the frequency of CV health levels (ideal, intermediate, and poor) in adults of both genders, and the frequency of each metric at each level of CV health. The median or mean of each CV health metric was also estimated in the whole spectrum of CV health in all subgroups.

RESULTS

Only 1 adult participant met all 7 ideal CV health metrics; 25.01% of women and 26% of men had intermediate CV health; 74.8% of women and 74% of men exhibited poor CV health. Only 19.7% of women and 10.3% of men had 5 or more ideal CV health metrics. Nonsmoking was the most frequent ideal health behavior. A total of 89.6% of participants had 1 or 2 ideal CV health behaviors. Ideal smoking and fasting plasma glucose had the highest frequency of CV health factors among others.

CONCLUSION

The frequency of ideal CV health was extremely low in this cohort of adults. The frequency of intermediate CV health was also low, and it may be significantly lower in the general population.

Secular trends in serum lipid levels of a Middle Eastern adult population; 10 years follow up in Tehran lipid and glucose study

Background

To examine trends in the population levels of serum lipids among a Middle-Eastern adult population with high prevalence of dyslipidemia.

Methods

A population-based cohort of adult Iranian participants, aged ≥20 years underwent four consecutive examinations between 1999–2001 and 2008–2011. Trends in age and multivariate-adjusted mean lipid levels were calculated using generalized estimating equations.

Results

At each of the 4 assessments, there were significant decreases in levels of total cholesterol (TC) (multivariate-adjusted means, 5.21 vs. 4.88 mmol/L in men; 5.42 vs. 5.07 mmol/L in women), triglycerides (TGs) (2.11 vs. 1.94 mmol/L in men; 1.88 vs. 1.74 mmol/L in women), and an increase in HDL-C level in both genders (0.95 vs. 1.058 mmol/L in men; 1.103 vs. 1.246 mmol/L in women) in multivariate analyses (all Ps <0.001); however, body mass index (BMI) significantly increased simultaneously (25.92 vs. 27.45 kg/m2 in men; 27.76 vs. 30.02 kg/m2 in women) (P < 0.001). There were significant (P < 0.001) increases in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels only among men (5.35 vs. 5.73 mmol/L). Results did not change after excluding participants that had cardiovascular disease or used lipid lowering drugs during follow-up. There were significant decreases in the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, low HDL-C, hypertriglyceridemia (all Ps <0.001) during follow-up. Furthermore, the consumption of lipid lowering drugs significantly increased (P <0.001).

Conclusion

During a 10 years follow-up, favorable trends were observed in the population levels of TC, triglycerides, HDL-C, which could not be fully accounted for by the increase observed in the consumption of lipid lowering drugs. These favorable trends were counterbalanced by the progressive increase in general obesity and FPG level.

Incidence of metabolic syndrome over 9 years follow-up; the importance of sex differences in the role of insulin resistance and other risk factors

To determine, the predictors of incident metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a community-based cohort of West Asians, during a mean follow-up of 9.3 years, a sample of 2858 non-MetS Iranian adults aged ≥ 20 years were examined at baseline and followed at three year intervals during three consecutive phases. The MetS was defined using the joint interim statement. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to determine the independent variables associated with incident MetS. Overall, 1117 new cases MetS were identified resulting in an incidence rate of 550.9/10000 person years (95% CI: 519.5-584.2). The corresponding incidence rates among women and men were 433.5/10000 person years (95% CI: 398.8-471.2) and 749.2/10000 person years (95% CI: 689.9-813.5), respectively. Baseline-adjusted predictors of developing MetS included all of the MetS components, being overweight or obese in both gender, and family history of diabetes and age only in women. There were significant effect modifications of gender on age (P<0.001), high blood pressure (0.026), high waist circumference (P<0001) and obesity categories (all P ≤ 0.01) in multivariate analysis. After considering HOMA–IR in the model, among women, all of the MetS predictors as well as those with HOMA-IR ≥ 2.23 showed a significant risk for incident MetS [HR: 1.63 (1.16-2.28)]; however, among men all the MetS components (WC was marginally significant) as well as the fourth quartile of HOMA-IR [HR: 1.50 (1.03-2.17)] and being overweight showed a significant risk. Finally, in the pooled analysis, we showed that female gender had lower risk for incident MetS than male [HR: 0.58 (0.47-0.70)]. In the Iranian population, high incidence of MetS, especially among men, was shown. Our findings confirmed that sex- specific risk predictors should be considered in primary prevention for incident MetS.

Risk factors affecting the survival rate in patients with symptomatic pericardial effusion undergoing surgical intervention

OBJECTIVES

The optimal management and treatment of pericardial effusion are still controversial. There is limited data related to the risk factors affecting survival in these patients. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors affecting the survival rate of patients with symptomatic pericardial effusion who underwent surgical interventions.

METHODS

From 2004 to 2011, we retrospectively analysed 153 patients who underwent subxiphoid pericardial window as their surgical intervention to drain pericardial effusions at the National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung diseases (NRITLD). To determine the effects of risk factors on survival rate, demographic data, clinical records, echocardiographic data, computed tomographic and cytopathological findings and also operative information of patients were recorded. Patients were followed annually until the last clinical follow-up (August 2011). To determine the prognostic factors affecting survival, both univariate analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazards model were utilized.

RESULTS

There were 89 men and 64 women with a mean age of 50.3 ± 15.5 years. The most prevalent symptom was dyspnoea. Concurrent malignancies were present in 66 patients. Lungs were the most prevalent primary site for malignancy. The median duration of follow-up was 15 (range 1-85 months). Six-month, 1-year and 18-month survival rates were 85.6, 61.4 and 36.6%, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, positive history of lung cancer (hazard ratio [HR] 2.894, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.362-6.147, P = 0.006) or other organ cancers (HR 2.315, 95% CI 1.009-50311, P = 0.048), presence of a mass in the computed tomography (HR 1.985, 95% CI 1.100-3.581, P = 0.023), and echocardiographic findings compatible with tamponade (HR 1.745, 95% CI 1.048-2.90 P = 0.032) were the three independent predictors of postoperative death.

CONCLUSIONS

In the surgical management of pericardial effusion, patients with underlying malignant disease, especially with lung cancer, patients with a detectable invasion of thorax in computed tomography and those with positive echocardiographic findings compatible with tamponade have a poor survival. Therefore, minimally invasive therapies could be considered as a more acceptable alternative for these high-risk patients.

First successful combined heart and kidney transplant in Iran: a case report

Combined heart and kidney transplant has become an accepted therapy for patients with coexisting heart and kidney failure. This method, compared with single-organ transplant, has a better outcome. Here, we report the first successful combined heart and kidney transplant in Iran. The patient was a 36-year-old man with end-stage renal disease owing to IgA nephropathy, admitted to Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran, Iran for progressive dyspnea and chest pain. In-patient evaluations revealed cardiomyopathy leading to end-stage heart failure. Owing to concurrent heart and kidney end-stage diseases, combined cardiorenal transplant was done. Eight months after his transplant, routine follow-ups have not shown any signs of acute rejection. He is now New York Heart Association functional class I. Both cardiac and renal functions are within normal ranges. Good outcome during follow-up for this case justifies simultaneous heart plus kidney transplants as an alternate treatment for patients with advanced disease of both organs.