Difference In Systolic Blood Pressure Research Articles

Cost-effective analysis of enalapril, amlodipine, and enalapril plus amlodipine combination in newly diagnosed patients of hypertension: A pharmacoeconomic comparison of the antihypertensive efficacy of drugs

Hypertension (HTN) is a chronic condition with severe complications, so early detection and effective management are essential to prevent cardiovascular events and reduce the associated economic burden. This study aims to compare the cost-effectiveness of enalapril, amlodipine, and their combination in terms of blood pressure reduction, considering overall efficacy and economic implications. A prospective, observational cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted in 150 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients who were prescribed either enalapril (5 mg), amlodipine (5 mg), or enalapril plus amlodipine (2.5 mg each). The primary outcome was the difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between baseline and follow-up, as well as the evaluation of overall efficacy and cost. Based on the data, statistical analysis was carried out using ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests for drug efficacy, and cost-effectiveness was compared using MS Excel. After 30 days, all treatments significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.0001). The combination therapy with a lower dose showed superior efficacy in blood pressure reduction and was most cost-effective, requiring less expense for a 1 mmHg reduction in blood pressure compared to individual drugs with a higher dose. Quality of life assessment favored low-dose combination therapy, with fewer reported adverse effects. The combinationof amlodipine and enalapril at a lower dose demonstrated superior cost-effectiveness, efficacy in blood pressure reduction, and a favorable impact on patients' quality of life compared to individual drugs at a higher dose. This suggests that combination therapy may be a preferred option in the management of hypertension, emphasizing the importance of considering both clinical and economic factors in treatment decisions.

Long-Term Effect of Home Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Plus Medication Self-Titration for Patients With Hypertension

Patient empowerment through pharmacologic self-management is a common strategy for some chronic diseases such as diabetes, but it is rarely used for controlling blood pressure (BP). Several trials have shown its potential for reducing BP in the short term, but evidence in the longer term is scarce. To evaluate the longer-term effectiveness of BP self-monitoring plus self-titration of antihypertensive medication vs usual care for patients with poorly controlled hypertension, with passive follow-up and primary-care nursing involvement. The ADAMPA (Impact of Self-Monitoring of Blood Pressure and Self-Titration of Medication in the Control of Hypertension) study was a randomized, unblinded clinical trial with 2 parallel arms conducted in Valencia, Spain. Included participants were patients 40 years or older, with systolic BP (SBP) over 145 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP (DBP) over 90 mm Hg, recruited from July 21, 2017, to June 30, 2018 (study completion, August 25, 2020). Statistical analysis was conducted on an intention-to-treat basis from August 2022 to February 2024. Participants were randomized 1:1 to usual care vs an individualized, prearranged plan based on BP self-monitoring plus medication self-titration. The main outome was the adjusted mean difference (AMD) in SBP between groups at 24 months of follow-up. Secondary outcomes were the AMD in DBP between groups at 24 months of follow-up, proportion of patients reaching the BP target (SBP <140 mm Hg and DBP <90 mm Hg), change in behaviors, quality of life, health service use, and adverse events. Among 312 patients included in main trial, data on BP measurements at 24 months were available for 219 patients (111 in the intervention group and 108 in the control group). The mean (SD) age was 64.3 (10.1) years, and 120 patients (54.8%) were female; the mean (SD) SBP was 155.6 (13.1) mm Hg, and the mean (SD) diastolic BP was 90.8 (7.7) mm Hg. The median follow-up was 23.8 months (IQR, 19.8-24.5 months). The AMD in SBP at the end of follow-up was -3.4 mm Hg (95% CI, -4.7 to -2.1 mm Hg; P < .001), and the AMD in DBP was -2.5 mm Hg (95% CI, -3.5 to -1.6 mm Hg; P < .001). Subgroup analysis for the main outcome showed consistent results. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the main findings. No differences were observed between groups in behaviors, quality of life, use of health services, or adverse events. In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial, BP self-monitoring plus self-titration of antihypertensive medication based on an individualized prearranged plan used in primary care reduced BP in the longer term with passive follow-up compared with usual care, without increasing health care use or adverse events. These results suggest that simple, inexpensive, and easy-to-implement self-management interventions have the potential to improve the long-term control of hypertension in routine clinical practice. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03242785.

Vasodilators for acute heart failure. A systematic review of randomized clinical trials with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Danish Cardiovascular Academy Novo Nordisk Foundation. Background Acute heart failure (AHF) is an increasing public health concern with limited evidence for current treatments, such as vasodilators. Recent studies have shown mixed results regarding the efficacy of vasodilation in AHF, leading to downgraded recommendations in European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2021 guidelines. Method We conducted a systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to assess vasodilator therapy's effectiveness in managing AHF. The search for relevant studies was conducted without restrictions across the major databases: Medline, Embase, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The study protocol was published and registered at PROSPERO, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. We included RCTs that compared vasodilators to standard care, placebo, no-intervention, or co-interventions. Our primary outcome was all-cause mortality, while secondary outcomes included serious adverse events (SAEs), tracheal intubation and length of hospital stay. Systolic blood pressure difference was an exploratory outcome. We assessed the risks of bias in individual trials using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. Results We included 46 RCTs comprising 28,374 patients with AHF. Meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis showed that vasodilators did not reduce the risk of all-cause mortality (risk ratio (RR) = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.90 to 1.03; I2 = 0%; P = 0.26). However, meta-analysis showed evidence of a beneficial effect of vasodilators in reducing the need for tracheal intubation (RR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.68 to 0.99; I2 = 55.05%; P = 0.04). No evidence of a difference was seen in the risk of SAEs (RR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.97 to 1.06; I2 = 0%; P = 0.50) or length of hospital stay (Mean difference (MD) = -0.28, 95% CI: -0.73 to 0.16; I2 = 69.84%; P = 0.28). Finally, a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (MD = -6.26, 95% CI: -8.06 to -4.46; I2 = 90.51%; P &amp;lt; 0.01) was demonstrated. Conclusion In patients hospitalised with AHF, vasodilator therapy did not result in a reduction of all-cause mortality, SAEs or length of hospital stay. However, the need for tracheal intubations was significantly decreased.Forest plot of all-cause mortalityForest plot of Tracheal intubation

The Role of Blood Pressure Control in Prevention of Hematoma After Blepharoplasty.

Hematoma formation after blepharoplasty is serious and potentially vision-threatening, with hypertension being the primary risk factor. The aim of this paper is to assess perioperative blood pressure trends and rates of complication in patients undergoing a strict blood pressure protocol designed to keep perioperative systolic blood pressure below 120 mmHg. A retrospective chart review was performed of 32 patients undergoing face lift with conomitant blepharoplasty from January 2015 to July 2018. For each patient blood pressure readings obtained before, during, and after surgery were reviewed. Two-sample one-tail T-tests were performed, and p values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) for all patients was highest intraoperatively. Patients with known hypertension had higher mean SBPs than patients without hypertension across all phases of care, with a statistically significant difference in immediate preoperative SBP (p=0.05). Males had a higher average blood pressure immediately postoperatively (p=0.05). A previous diagnosis of hypertension in females was associated with a higher immediate preoperative SBP (p=0.07) as well as age over 65 (p=0.07). The overall rate of complications was 37.5%. No patients experienced hematoma. This study demonstrated that keeping blood pressure below 120 mmHg after surgery was an effective method of preventing hematoma after blepharoplasty, even in patients concurrently on anti-coagulative medications. Special attention to blood pressure control should be shown to patients with known risk factors such as a previous diagnosis of hypertension, male sex, or age greater than 65. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

A Intervention of the DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertention) Diet on Blood Pressure Reduction in the Elderly at BSLU Mandalika

Background: Physical changes in the elderly include changes in the aorta and systemic blood vessels that affect blood pressure. Increased blood pressure in the elderly is a health problem that must be handled properly. The management of hypertension can be done by giving the DASH diet, in this case this study provides an interlude to the DASH diet. Research Methods: This type of research uses a quasi-experimental research design with a randomized pre-test-post-test control group design. Subjects were divided into two groups, namely the treatment group and the control group.Research Results: Most of the subjects in this study were elderly aged 70-74 years (33.3%) in the treatment and 75-80 years (50%) in the control. The research subjects were mostly female, namely 27 elderly (75%). The average body weight for the treatment group was 54.24 kg and the control group was 48.48 kg. The mean blood pressure in both groups before the intervention was higher than the mean blood pressure after the intervention. The results of the paired-t test statistic showed that there was a difference in the mean of systolic (0.000) and diastolic (0.000) blood pressure before and after the intervention. Meanwhile, the two-group difference test showed that there was no difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure before the intervention. However, after the intervention, there was a difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Furthermore, there was an effect of the DASH diet interlude on Systolic blood pressure (p = 0.000) and Diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.034) after the DASH diet snack was given.Conclusion: there is an effect of giving a DASH diet interlude on systolic blood pressure (p=0.000) and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.034) after giving the DASH diet snack.

The impact of yoga in pregnancy on placental growth factor levels and mean arterial pressure in pre-eclampsia: A randomized controlled trial

Context: Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy-related condition characterized by hypertension, proteinuria, and edema occurring after 20 weeks of pregnancy or during the postpartum period. Several markers are often assessed to determine the suitable option for confirming pre-eclampsia diagnosis, one of which is the examination of placental growth factor (PlGF) as a placental ischemia indicator. Aims: To evaluate the impact of prenatal yoga on PlGF and mean arterial pressure (MAP) levels in pre-eclampsia within the Madura region. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on fifty subjects that were randomly allocated to the experimental group with pre-post control groups consisting of 50 participants, namely 25 pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and 25 healthy individuals. The selection was conducted based on the following inclusion criteria: belonging to Madura ethnicity spanning three generations, exhibiting pregnancy duration &gt;20 weeks, maternal ages ranging from 20–35 years, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) &gt;25, a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), kidney disorders, pre-eclampsia, chronic hypertension, or family history of chronic high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia among those at risk. PlGF levels were estimated using an ELISA kit, while blood pressure was measured with an Omron brand sphygmomanometer. Results: Statistical analysis performed with the Wilcoxon sign test and T-test indicated significant differences (p&lt;0.005) in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and MAP between the groups. Furthermore, a significant difference was observed in PlGF levels before and after engaging in prenatal yoga practice (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions: The results showed that prenatal yoga contributed to the elevation of PlGF levels in women with pre-eclampsia, compared to their healthy counterparts.

The Reduction of Blood Pressure in Elderly People with Hypertension Through Morning Walk Therapy

Background: Hypertension in the elderly is a very dangerous disease because without early indications it can cause sudden death. The prevalence of people with hypertension in the Burneh Health Center in 2021 is 15.935 people (11.29%). The proportion of elderly with hypertension is 1,820 elderly men (0.10%) and 1,670 elderly women (0.09%). Purpose: This study aims to analyze the effect of morning walking physical activity on reducing systolic blood pressure in elderly people with hypertension. Method: This study was conducted in the village of Burneh, Bangkalan, East Java, Indonesia from May to June 2022. The research design used a Quasy Experiment with a Pre-test and Post-test approach, the independent variable in this study was physical activity therapy for morning walks and the dependent variable systolic blood pressure in elderly with hypertension. The sample size is 14 elderly with purposive sampling technique. Data analysis used the Paired t-test. Results: The results of the statistical test obtained p-value = 0.041 &lt;0.05 indicating that there was a difference in systolic blood pressure before and after being given physical activity therapy for the morning walk. Most of the respondents (57.14%) experienced a decrease in systolic blood pressure with an average decrease of 8.72 mmHg. Conclusion: Therapeutic physical activity walking in the morning has a significant effect on systolic blood pressure in elderly people with hypertension. Health workers need to provide correct information about the benefits of morning walks for elderly people with hypertension and monitor the consistency of sufferers.

Spironolactone versus Eplerenone in Patients with Resistant Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Indirect Meta-analysis

Background: Spironolactone and eplerenone, both mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), have been shown to be effective in the management of resistant hypertension (RH), although there is a lack of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that directly comparing the two. This systematic review and indirect meta-analysis compares the two MRAs and their effectiveness in lowering blood pressure (BP) in patients with RH. Methods: RCTs comparing eplerenone or spironolactone with a placebo in RH patients were included in the review. The primary outcome was the mean difference (MD) of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The secondary outcome was the MD of serum potassium levels. The pooled estimates of mean BP and mean potassium level difference were then analysed to attain the adjusted indirect comparisons. Results: Six RCTs involving 665 patients were included in the systematic review. The pooled MD of systolic and diastolic BP between eplerenone and placebo showed a reduction of −0.38 (p=0.0007) and −4.45 (p&lt;0.0001), respectively. The pooled MD of systolic and diastolic BP between spironolactone and placebo showed a reduction of −4.82 (p=0.01) and −2.31 (p=0.006), respectively. The pooled MD of serum potassium levels between eplerenone and placebo as well as spironolactone and placebo was 0.16 (p=0.39) and −0.08 (p=0.59), respectively. An indirect comparison meta-analyses of the MD in systolic and diastolic BP (systolic MD 1.66; 95% CI [−3.46–6.78]; p=0.5250 and diastolic MD 2.14; 95% Cl [−0.63–4.91]; p=0.1293) as well as mean serum potassium levels (MD 0.24; 95% Cl, [−0.23–0.71]; p=0.313) between spironolactone and eplerenone, showed no significant difference. Conclusion: Spironolactone and eplerenone showed an equal reduction in systolic and diastolic BP, as well as serum potassium levels in patients with RH.

Correlation between risk factors of cognitive dysfunction and blood pressure variability after acute ischemic stroke in northwest Shanghai

： Objective: To explore the relationship between risk factors of cognitive dysfunction and blood pressure variability after acute ischemic stroke in northwest Shanghai to establish a model for early identification of high-risk groups of cognitive dysfunction and formulation of more targeted prevention and treatment measures. Methods: Spearman test was used to evaluate the correlation between blood pressure variability and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score in patients with acute ischemic stroke and the partial regression coefficient model was constructed based on the above independent risk factors, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was described to analyze the relevant independent risk factors. Results: ROC curve analysis results showed that the clinical prediction model was significantly more effective than a single factor in predicting the risk of cognitive impairment after acute ischemic stroke in northwest Shanghai（P < 0.05）. Conclusion: Cognitive dysfunction after acute ischemic stroke was closely related to high Homocysteine (Hcy) levels, high standard deviation of systolic blood pressure, previous infarction history and infarction of cognitive function area in northwest Shanghai. The prediction model based on the above factors showed satisfactory value in predicting of cognitive dysfunction risk after acute ischemic stroke and there was also the correlation between cognitive function and blood pressure variability.

The effect of clothes on blood pressure measurement in normotensive and hypertensive subjects in a real-life setting.

The effect of clothing on the recording of blood pressure in a normotensive and hypertensive population remains essential remains to diagnosing and managing. This is a cross-sectional study to measure blood pressure using a validated oscillometric sphygmomanometer in two populations. The records were made over the thicker sleeve arm and non-sleeved arm (either on bare arm or indicating the removal of the outermost garment). Clothing was categorized according to how patients attended the outpatient clinic based on the real world. A total of 75 patients were included with a diagnosis of hypertension whose mean age was 67.1 years (SD ± 16.3). The group of normotension included 63 patients whose mean age was 21.1 years (DS ± 2.2). There was not variability related to technique or inherent to the condition of the subject on the first and second measurements of blood pressure. In the comparative analysis, the group with normotension did not report a significant difference in systolic or diastolic blood pressure due to the effect of clothing during the first or second measurement (p> 0.05). In the group with hypertension, a significant difference was observed in the first measurement, between the group over the sleeve and non-sleeved arm (systolic blood pressure, p: 0.021, and diastolic, p: 0.001). However, when the variable order of measurement was analyzed by randomizing the initial registry with or without clothing was not found a statistical difference. Clothing does not a significant difference in the measure of blood pressure in a normotensive or hypertensive population.

Analysis of acupoint massage combined with touch on relieving anxiety and pain in patients with oral implant surgery.

Oral implant surgery is an effective procedure for artificial implants in missing tooth areas under local anesthesia. Because patients under local anesthesia are conscious during this procedure, compared with general anesthesia-related operations, they are more likely to experience negative emotions, such as anxiety and tension. These emotional reactions result in shivering and chills in the limbs, leading to poor doctor-patient cooperation and even avoidance of treatment. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that acupoint massage regulates blood and Qi, dredge menstruation, and relieve pain, which is beneficial for patients' emotional adjustment; however, there are few related clinical studies. To observe the changes in anxiety and pain in patients with oral implant after acupoint massage combined with touch therapy. One hundred patients undergoing oral implantation in our hospital between May 2020 and May 2023 were randomly divided into control and study groups, according to a random number table, with 50 patients in each group. The control group received routine intervention, and the study group received acupoint massage combined with touch on the basis of the control group. Anxiety [assessed using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS)], pain severity, blood pressure, heart rate, and satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Before intervention, the difference in MDAS score between the two groups was not significant (P > 0.05), while after the intervention, the MDAS scores decreased in both groups compared with those before the intervention (P < 0.05); the MDAS score of the study group was lower than that of the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The degree of pain in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Before the intervention, there were no significant differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressures or heart rate between the two groups (P > 0.05). The systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rate in the intervention group, during and after the intervention, were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The total degree of satisfaction in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Acupoint massage combined with touch better relieves anxiety and pain in patients undergoing dental implant surgery, improving the perioperative comfort of these patients and ensuring safety and a smooth operation.

Inter-leg systolic blood pressure difference has been associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: analysis of NHANES 1999–2004

BackgroundInter-leg systolic blood pressure difference (ILSBPD) has emerged as a novel cardiovascular risk factor. This study aims to investigate the predictive value of ILSBPD on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in general population.MethodsWe combined three cycles (1999–2004) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. Levels of ILSBPD were calculated and divided into four groups based on three cut-off values of 5, 10 and 15mmHg. Time-to-event curves were estimated with the use of the Kaplan-Meier method, and two multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were conducted to assess the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality associated with ILSBPD.ResultsA total of 6 842 subjects were included, with the mean (SD) age of 59.5 (12.8) years. By December 31, 2019, 2 544 and 648 participants were identified all-cause and cardiovascular mortality respectively during a median follow-up of 16.6 years. Time-to-event analyses suggested that higher ILSBPD was associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (logrank, p < 0.001). Every 5mmHg increment of ILSBPD brings about 5% and 7% increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, and individuals with an ILSBPD ≥ 15mmHg were significantly associated with higher incidence of all-cause mortality (HR 1.43, 95%CI 1.18–1.52, p < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.73, 95%CI 1.36–2.20, p < 0.001) when multiple confounding factors were adjusted. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis confirmed the relationship.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the increment of ILSBPD was significantly associated with higher risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in general population.

Prevalence and risk factors of diabetes mellitus among elderly patients in the Lugu community

BACKGROUND Age is a significant risk factor of diabetes mellitus (DM). With the develop of population aging, the incidence of DM remains increasing. Understanding the epidemiology of DM among elderly individuals in a certain area contributes to the DM interventions for the local elderly individuals with high risk of DM. AIM To explore the prevalence of DM among elderly individuals in the Lugu community and analyze the related risk factors to provide a valid scientific basis for the health management of elderly individuals. METHODS A total of 4816 elderly people who came to the community for physical examination were retrospectively analyzed. The prevalence of DM among the elderly was calculated. The individuals were divided into a DM group and a non-DM group according to the diagnosis of DM to compare the differences in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP), fasting blood glucose, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and incidence of hypertension (HT), coronary heart disease (CHD), and chronic kidney disease (CKD). RESULTS DM was diagnosed in 32.70% of the 4816 elderly people. The BMI of the DM group (25.16 ± 3.35) was greater than that of the non-DM group (24.61 ± 3.78). The WHR was 0.90 ± 0.04 in the non-DM group and 0.90 ± 0.03 in the DM group, with no significant difference. The left SBP and SBP in the DM group were 137.9 mmHg ± 11.92 mmHg and 69.95 mmHg ± 7.75 mmHg, respectively, while they were 126.6 mmHg ± 12.44 mmHg and 71.15 mmHg ± 12.55 mmHg, respectively, in the non-DM group. These findings indicate higher SBP and lower DBP in DM patients than in those without DM. In the DM group, 1274 patients were diagnosed with HT, accounting for 80.89%. Among the 3241 non-DM patients, 1743 (53.78%) were hypertensive and 1498 (46.22%) were nonhypertensive. The DM group had more cases of HT than did the non-DM group. There were more patients with CHD or CKD in the DM group than in the non-DM group. There were more patients who drank alcohol more frequently (≥ 3 times) in the DM group than in the non-DM group. CONCLUSION Older adults in the Lugu community are at a greater risk of DM. In elderly individuals, DM is closely related to high BMI and HT, CHD, and CKD. Physical examinations should be actively carried out for elderly people to determine their BMI, SBP, DBP, and other signs, and sufficient attention should be given to abnormalities in the above signs before further diagnosis.

Assessment of Nocturnal Blood Pressure: Importance of Determining the Time in Bed-A Pilot Study.

Objectives: Nocturnal blood pressure (BP) monitoring is essential for evaluating cardiovascular risk and guiding treatment decisions. However, the standardized narrow-fixed nighttime period between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. may not accurately reflect individual sleep schedules. This pilot study aimed to investigate the comparability between the standardized nighttime period and actual time in bed (TIB) regarding BP assessment. Further, our goal was to evaluate the clinical relevance of the observed BP differences. Methods: A total of 30 participants underwent 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Patient-specific TIB was precisely assessed through an accelerometer and a position sensor from the SOMNOtouch NIBP™ (SOMNOmedics GmbH, Randersacker, Germany). We analysed the effect of considering individual TIB as nighttime instead of the conventional narrow-fixed interval on the resulting nocturnal BP levels and dipping patterns. Results: We observed differences in both systolic and diastolic BP between the standardized nighttime period and the TIB. Furthermore, a notable percentage of patients (27%) changed their dipping pattern classification as a function of the nighttime definition adopted. We found strong correlations between the start (r = 0.75, p < 0.01), as well as the duration (r = -0.42, p = 0.02) of TIB and the changes in dipping pattern classification. Conclusions: Definition of nocturnal period based on the individual TIB leads to clinically relevant changes of nocturnal BP and dipping pattern classifications. TIB is easily detected using a body position sensor and accelerometer. This approach may thus improve the accuracy of cardiovascular risk evaluation and enhance treatment strategies.

Full spectrum cannabidiol-rich extract reduced propofol dosage required for anesthetic induction in dogs-a pilot study.

Cannabinoids show great therapeutic potential, but their effect on anesthesia still remains unclear. Use of chronic recreational Cannabis in humans undergoing anesthetic procedures tends to require a higher dose when compared to non-users. On the other hand, studies on rodents and dogs have shown that cannabinoid agonists may potentiate certain anesthetics. This contrast of effects possibly occurs due to different time lengths of administration of different phytocannabinoids at different doses, and their distinct effects on the Endocannabinoid System, which is also affected by anesthetics such as propofol and isoflurane. Twenty-seven healthy male dogs, client-owned, ranging from 1 to 7 years, and from 5 to 35 kg were selected, mean weight 15.03±7.39 kg, with owners volunteering their animals to participate in the research performed in the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). Dogs were randomized into 3 groups. The Control Group (CON, n = 9), receiving only Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the same oil-base used in the treatment groups. Group 2 (G2, n = 9) received 2 mg/kg of total phytocannabinoids, and Group 3 (G3, n = 9) received 6 mg/kg of total phytocannabinoids. All groups received their treatments transmucosally, 75 min before their induction with propofol. Heart and respiratory rate, blood pressure, temperature and sedation were evaluated prior to, and at 30, 60, and 75  min after administration of the fsCBD-rich extract or Placebo extract. Preanesthetic medication protocol was also included across all treatment groups, 15  min before induction. Parametric data was analyzed with one-way ANOVA, followed by Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) if significant statistical differences were found. Non-parametric data was analyzed using Friedman's test, followed by Dunn test for comparisons between all timepoints in the same group. Kruskal-Wallis followed by Dunn was utilized for between groups comparisons. Propofol dose necessary for induction was analyzed through One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's Multiple Comparisons Test, using Instat by Graphpad, and differences were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. Our analysis assessed if statistical significance was present between time points in the same group, and between groups in the same time points. In our study, 6  mg/kg of total phytocannabinoids were able to reduce the dose of propofol necessary for induction by 23% when compared to the control group. The fsCBD-rich extract did not produce significant sedation within or between groups, although statistically significant differences in heart rate and systolic blood pressure were found. Our findings indicate that phytocannabinoids could be an adjunct option in anesthesia, although further research is necessary to better confirm this data. Additionally, further research is needed to determine the best dosage, delivery method, time for administration, ideal molecular profile for desired effects, safety, drug-drug interactions, and transurgical effects.

Empowering Medical Students: Unveiling the Benefits of Nutrition Seminars and Plant-Based Diets in Medical School Education

Background: Whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) dietary patterns can be used as a lifestyle modification to lower blood pressure and lose weight. This study aimed to observe the effects of WFPB dietary patterns and improve nutrition education in medical school. Methods: Forty-six medical students participated in the four-week Plant Plunge challenge, which consisted of a pre- and post-challenge health screening, weekly nutrition seminars, and the personal challenge to eat more WFPB. Afterward, an anonymous survey was sent to participants to analyze nutrition education quality in medical school. Results: The Wilcoxon Signed Rank test indicated statistically significant improvement in weight and blood pressure (BP) (N = 33). The median (interquartile range) difference in weight from pre- to post- was −.9 (−2.2, .0, P &lt; .0461) pounds, whereas the differences in systolic and diastolic BP were −5.0 (−9.0, −.5, P &lt; .049) and −7.0 (−11.0, −2.0, P &lt; .0037) mmHg, respectively. Participants were significantly more likely to advocate for the integration of nutrition information into the medical school curriculum ( P = .0162). Conclusions: Short-term lifestyle modifications with WFPB dietary patterns help reduce weight and BP. Incorporating nutrition seminars in medical education may improve long-term patient outcomes.

Effect of combination pioglitazone with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on outcomes in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and real-world study from an international federated database.

To evaluate the efficacy and cardiovascular outcomes of combination pioglitazone with either a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) or a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) by conducting a systematic review, meta-analysis, and analysis of a large international real-world database. We searched MEDLINE, SCOPUS and Web of Science to identify relevant articles for inclusion (PROSPERO [CRD: 42023483126]). Nineteen studies assessing pioglitazone + SGLT2 inhibitors or GLP-1RAs versus controls were identified, 16 of which were randomized controlled trials. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane-endorsed tools and quality of evidence was assessed using GRADE. We additionally performed a retrospective cohort study of all individuals aged 18 years or over with T2D, using the TriNetX platform. We included propensity-score-matched individuals who were treated for at least 1 year with pioglitazone and a GLP-1RA or pioglitazone and an SGLT2 inhibitor, compared against GLP-1RA and SGLT2 inhibitor monotherapy. Outcomes were all-cause mortality, heart failure, chronic kidney disease and composite stroke and transient ischaemic attack. The average follow-up in the included studies ranged from 24 to 52 weeks. Combination of pioglitazone with a GLP-1RA reduced glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and weight greater than in controls: mean differences -1% (95% confidence interval [CI] -1.27, -0.74) and -1.19 kg (95% CI -1.80, -0.58), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in systolic blood pressure (SBP) or mortality between groups: mean difference - 1.56 mmHg (95% CI -4.48, 1.35; p = 0.30) and relative risk (RR) 0.29 (95% CI 0.07-1.15; p = 0.08), respectively. Combination of pioglitazone with SGLT2 inhibitors reduced HbA1c, weight and SBP to a greater extent than control treatment: mean differences -0.48% (95% CI -0.67, -0.28), -2.3 kg (95% CI -2.72, -1.88) and -2.4 mmHg (95% CI -4.1, -0.7; p = 0.01), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in mortality between groups (RR 1.81, 95% CI 0.30-10.97; p = 0.52). The included trials demonstrated a reduction in risk of heart failure with combination treatment. Similarly, from the real-world database (n = 25 230 identified), pioglitazone and SGLT2 inhibitor combination therapy was associated with reduced risk of heart failure compared to monotherapy alone (hazard ratio 0.50, 95% CI 0.38-0.65; p < 0.001). Both our systematic review/meta-analysis and the real-world dataset show that combination of pioglitazone with either GLP-1RAs or SGLT2 inhibitors is associated with increased weight loss and reduced risk of heart failure compared with monotherapy.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists modestly reduced blood pressure among patients with and without diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis and meta-regression.

The cardiovascular benefits provided by glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) extend beyond weight reduction and glycaemic control. One possible mechanism may relate to blood pressure (BP) reduction. We aim to quantify the BP-lowering effects of GLP1-RAs. A comprehensive database search for placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials on GLP-1RA treatment was conducted until December 2023. Data extraction and quality assessment were carried out, employing a robust statistical analysis using a random effects model to determine outcomes with a mean difference (MD) in mmHg and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The primary endpoint was the mean difference in systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP. Subgroup analyses and meta-regressions were done to account for covariates. Compared with placebo, GLP-1RAs modestly reduced SBP [semaglutide: MD -3.40 (95% CI -4.22 to -2.59, p < .001); liraglutide: MD -2.61 (95% CI -3.48 to -1.74, p < .001); dulaglutide: MD -1.46 (95% CI -2.20 to -0.72, p < .001); and exenatide: MD -3.36 (95% CI -3.63 to -3.10, p < .001)]. This benefit consistently increased with longer treatment durations. Diastolic BP reduction was only significant in the exenatide group [MD -0.94 (95% CI -1.78 to -0.1), p = .03]. Among semaglutide cohorts, mean changes in glycated haemoglobin and mean changes in body mass index were directly associated with SBP reduction. Patients on GLP-1RA experienced modest SBP lowering compared with placebo. This observed effect was associated with weight/body mass index reduction and better glycaemic control, which suggests that BP-lowering is an indirect effect of GLP-1RA and unlikely to be responsible for the benefits.

Effects of citalopram on blood pressure control in depressive patients with hypertension: A randomized clinical trial.

Since there is a bi-directional interaction between hypertension and depression, we aimed to evaluate the effects of citalopram administration in the management of hypertension. A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 72 patients with concomitant depression and hypertension. The intervention group (n=41) received citalopram 20 mg daily plus anti-hypertensive standard treatment, while the control group (n=31) received only the standard treatment. The study's primary endpoint was in-office blood pressure (BP) measurement at baseline and home BP monitoring in the first and second months after entering the study. There were no significant differences in baseline systolic BP (163.3±19.6 vs.164.2±20.3 mm Hg; P=0.910) and diastolic BP (94.5±13.8 vs. 88.2±14.4; P=0.071). After one month, diastolic BP (82.7±11.7 vs. 77.09±12.2; P=0.023) was significantly higher in the control group compared to the intervention group. Two months after the intervention, systolic BP (133.8±16.5 vs. 124.5±12.4; P=0.009) and diastolic BP (80.7±10.3 vs. 73.7±9.7; P=0.002) were significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group. This study supported the beneficial effects of citalopram in lowering BP in patients with concomitant depression and hypertension.

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Improve Unmet Social Needs and Clinical Outcomes Among Adults with Diabetes.

Adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes often face financial challenges and other unmet social needs to effective diabetes self-management. Whether a digital intervention focused on addressing socioeconomic determinants of health improves diabetes clinical outcomes more than usual care. Randomized trial from 2019 to 2023. A total of 600 adults with diabetes, HbA1c ≥ 7.5%, and self-reported unmet social needs or financial burden from a health system and randomized to the intervention or standard care. CareAvenue is an automated, e-health intervention with eight videos that address unmet social needs contributing to poor outcomes. Primary outcome was HbA1c, measured at baseline, and 6 and 12months after randomization. Secondary outcomes included systolic blood pressure and reported met social needs, cost-related non-adherence (CRN), and financial burden. We examined main effects and variation in effects across predefined subgroups. Seventy-eight percent of CareAvenue participants completed one or more modules of the website. At 12-month follow-up, there were no significant differences in HbA1c changes between CareAvenue and control group (p = 0.24). There were also no significant between-group differences in systolic blood pressure (p = 0.29), met social needs (p = 0.25), CRN (p = 0.18), and perceived financial burden (p = 0.31). In subgroup analyses, participants with household incomes 100-400% FPL (1.93 (SE = 0.76), p < 0.01), 201-400% FPL (1.30 (SE = 0.62), p < 0.04), and > 400% FPL (1.27 (SE = 0.64), p < 0.05) had significantly less A1c decreases compared to the control group. On average, CareAvenue participants did not achieve better A1c lowering, met needs, CRN, or perceived financial burden compared to control participants. CareAvenue participants with higher incomes achieved significantly less A1c reductions than control. Further research is needed on social needs interventions that consider tailored approaches to population subgroups. ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03950973, May 2019.