Differences In Cardiovascular Risk Profiles Research Articles

Marked differences in cardiovascular risk profiles in middle-aged and older Chinese residents: Evidence from a large Australian cohort

BackgroundAlthough Chinese form the largest non-English speaking group in Australia, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profiles among Chinese Australians have not been comprehensively examined, nor has the effect of mixed-Chinese ethnicity been adequately explored. This study is to investigate cardiovascular risk among Chinese, mixed-Chinese, and non-Chinese Australians. MethodsUsing data from 266,696 Australian participants from the 45 and Up Study (2006–2009), this study investigated cardiovascular risk among Chinese (n=3454), mixed-Chinese (n=1062), and non-Chinese (n=262,180) participants. Poisson regression models with a robust error variance were used to estimate prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for CVD (coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke) and six major risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, overweight/obesity, and physical inactivity) by ethnicity using non-Chinese participants as the reference group. Each outcome was adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics. ResultsCompared with non-Chinese Australians, Chinese had lower prevalence of CHD (PR=0.67; 95% CI=0.59–0.75) and stroke (PR=0.67; 95% CI=0.51–0.88). Of the risk factors, Chinese had higher prevalence of diabetes (PR=1.25; 95% CI=1.12–1.39), smoking (PR=1.22; 95% CI=1.04–1.43) and physical inactivity (PR=1.48; 95% CI=1.41–1.55) but lower prevalence of hypertension (PR=0.90; 95% CI=0.86–0.95), high cholesterol (PR=0.87; 95% CI=0.79–0.95), and overweight/obesity (PR=0.46; 95% CI=0.43–0.48). Mixed-Chinese had higher prevalence of CVD and worse CVD risk profiles compared with Chinese. ConclusionsThere are marked differences in the prevalence of CVD and risk factors among three groups. The noticeable variations in CVD risk between Chinese and mixed-Chinese indicate that conventional classification of treating all Chinese as homogeneous could be misleading. More investigation into the health outcomes of mixed ancestry is warranted.

Marked Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Profiles in Middle-Aged and Older Chinese Residents: Evidence from a Large Australian Cohort

Marked Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Profiles in Middle-Aged and Older Chinese Residents: Evidence from a Large Australian Cohort

Gender-Related Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Profile in Black Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Women with diabetes mellitus are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to men and this may be a result of greater clustering of risk factors among women. This study aimed to assess gender differences in cardiovascular risk factors among adults with diabetes mellitus. Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study involved 100 patients with diabetes. Fifty individuals without diabetes matched for gender were selected for comparison. Blood samples were analyzed for fasting glucose, lipid parameters and serum creatinine. Results: The patients with DM were significantly older than those without, with higher body mass index, blood pressures, lower HDL cholesterol and lower eGFR. Among those with diabetes, females had higher blood pressures and body mass index (BMI) but significantly lower eGFR compared to males. There was a significant negative correlation between duration of diabetes and eGFR in females (r= -0.544, p<0.001) but not in males (r= -0.271, p= 0.065). On multiple regressions, age and gender were significant independent predictors of declining eGFR. Overall less than one third of the patients with DM were at the recommended target for BMI, 35%achieved fasting blood glucose target with significantly fewer women compared to men achieving this (p=0.005). Thirty four percent achieved LDL target with no significant difference between males and females. Significantly fewer women achieved the BP and HDL targets compared to men.

Sex differences in cardiovascular mortality in diabetics and nondiabetic subjects: a population-based study (Italy).

The objective of this study is to assess the impact of diabetes on cardiovascular mortality, focusing on sex differences. The inhabitants of Reggio Emilia province on December 31, 2009, aged 20–84 were followed up for three years for mortality. The exposure was determined using Reggio Emilia diabetes register. The age-adjusted death rates were estimated as well as the incidence rate ratios using Poisson regression model. Interaction terms for diabetes and sex were tested by the Wald test. People with diabetes had an excess of mortality, compared with nondiabetic subjects (all cause: IRR = 1.68; 95%CI 1.60–1.78; CVD: IRR = 1.61; 95%CI 1.47–1.76; AMI: IRR = 1.59; 95%CI 1.27–1.99; renal causes: IRR = 1.71; 95%CI 1.22–2.38). The impact of diabetes is greater in females than males for all causes (P = 0.0321) and for CVD, IMA, and renal causes. Further studies are needed to investigate whether the difference in cardiovascular risk profile or in the quality of care delivered justifies the higher excess of mortality in females with diabetes compared to males.

A gender-specific analysis of association between hyperuricaemia and cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease

Gender-related differences in the association between hyperuricaemia and cardiovascular events remain poorly understood. The objective of this study was to assess gender-related differences in the association between hyperuricaemia and cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This study included 13,273 patients with CAD. Hyperuricaemia was defined as a plasma uric acid >7.0mgdl(-1) in men and >5.7mgdl(-1) in women. The primary outcome was 1-year all-cause mortality. Hyperuricaemia was found in 3745 men (36.5%) and 1562 women (50.3%); odds ratio (OR)=1.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.62-1.91; P<0.001. Women with hyperuricaemia were older, had higher proportions of patients with diabetes and arterial hypertension and had reduced renal function and higher C-reactive protein levels compared with men with hyperuricaemia. One-year all-cause mortality was 9.3% (n=143) in women with hyperuricaemia versus 6.9% (n = 252) in men with hyperuricaemia (P=0.002). After adjustment in multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, uric acid predicted 1-year mortality with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR)=1.17, 95% CI (1.03-1.31), P=0.012 in men and HR=1.25, 95% CI (1.06-1.48), P=0.007 in women, for each standard deviation increase in the natural logarithm. Uric acid predicted 1-year mortality with an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve=0.625, 95% CI (0.594-0.656) in men and 0.676, 95% CI (0.635-0.717) in women (P=0.044, for women versus men). Hyperuricaemia predicts an increased risk of 1-year mortality in both genders with a stronger association in women. Differences in cardiovascular risk profile may explain the stronger association between hyperuricaemia and cardiovascular events in women.

Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Profile Between Electrocardiographic Hypertrophy Versus Strain in Asymptomatic Patients With Aortic Stenosis (from SEAS Data)

Electrocardiograms are routinely obtained in clinical follow-up of patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis (AS). The association with aortic valve, left ventricular (LV) response to long-term pressure load, and clinical covariates is unclear and the clinical value is thus uncertain. Data from clinical examination, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram in 1,563 patients in the Simvastatin and Ezetimibe in Aortic Stenosis (SEAS) study were used. Electrocardiograms were Minnesota coded for arrhythmias and atrioventricular and intraventricular blocks; LV hypertrophy was assessed by Sokolow-Lyon voltage and Cornell voltage-duration criteria; and strain by T-wave inversion and ST-segment depression. Degree of AS severity was evaluated by echocardiography as peak aortic jet velocity and LV mass was indexed by body surface area. After adjustment for age, gender, LV mass index, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, blood glucose, digoxin, antiarrhythmic drugs, drugs acting on the renin-angiotensin system, diuretics, β blockers and calcium receptor blockers; peak aortic jet velocity was significantly greater in patients with electrocardiographic strain (mean difference 0.13 m/s, p <0.001) and LV hypertrophy by Sokolow-Lyon voltage criteria (mean difference 0.12 m/s, p = 0.004). After similar adjustment, LV mass index was significantly greater in patients with electrocardiographic strain (mean difference 14.8 g/cm(2), p <0.001) and LV hypertrophy by Sokolow-Lyon voltage criteria and Cornell voltage-duration criteria (mean differences 8.8 and 17.8 g/cm(2), respectively, p <0.001 for the 2 comparisons). In multiple comparisons patients with electrocardiographic strain had increased peak aortic jet velocity, blood glucose, and uric acid, whereas patients with LV hypertrophy by Sokolow-Lyon voltage criteria were younger and patients with LV hypertrophy by Cornell voltage-duration criteria more often were women. In conclusion, electrocardiographic criteria for LV hypertrophy and strain are independently associated with peak aortic jet velocity and LV mass index. Moreover, clinical covariates differ significantly between patients with electrocardiographic strain and those with LV hypertrophy by Sokolow-Lyon voltage criteria and Cornell voltage-duration criteria.

Comment on: Boronat et al. Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Profile of Diabetic Subjects Discordantly Classified by Diagnostic Criteria Based on Glycated Hemoglobin and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test. Diabetes Care 2010;33:2671–2673

We read with interest the article by Boronat et al. (1). In that article, individuals with discordant diabetes status by A1C and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) had their cardiovascular risk profile evaluated. Those who fulfilled the A1C-based criterion presented greater measures of BMI and waist circumference and lower values for HDL cholesterol than individuals with diabetic OGTT but A1C <6.5% (1). Both elevated A1C (2) and diabetes by OGTT (3) are associated with risks of cardiovascular disease and death compared with fasting glucose in observational studies. To further evaluate the findings by Boronat et al., we analyzed the risk profile of 693 participants (mean age 71.6 years; 39.5% men) from the Rancho Bernardo cohort who were categorized discordantly by …

Response to Comment on: Boronat et al. Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Profile of Diabetic Subjects Discordantly Classified by Diagnostic Criteria Based on Glycated Hemoglobin and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test. Diabetes Care 2010;33:2671–2673

We appreciate the efforts of Kramer and Araneta (1) to investigate whether our findings are reproducible in the Rancho Bernardo cohort. In apparent contrast to our results (2), they observed that subjects with diabetic oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) but A1C <6.5% displayed a more unfavorable cardiovascular risk profile than subjects with A1C ≥6.5% (1). However, as noted by the authors, groups used for comparison in both studies were not homogeneous. All analyzed …

Differences in cardiovascular risk factors in rural, urban and rural-to-urban migrants in Peru

ObjectivesTo assess differences in cardiovascular risk profiles among rural-to-urban migrants and non-migrant groups.MethodsCross-sectional study in Ayacucho and Lima, Peru. Participants were: rural (n=201); rural-to-urban migrants (n=589); and urban (n=199). Cardiovascular...

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Adolescent British South Asians and Whites: A Pilot Study

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and associated mortality are more common in British South Asians than in the British white population. Most of the aspects of the cardiovascular risk profile are modifiable, and are thought to be established in childhood. However, the role of genetics and ethnicity has not been fully elucidated. Objectives: This pilot study compared cardiovascular risk profiles in British South Asian and British white adolescents, and investigated the relationships between physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, nutrition, and CVD risk profile in both ethnic groups. Methods: Cardiovascular risk factors included systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body composition, fasting glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Physical activity was measured using 7-day accelerometry; diet was measured from a 3-day dietary record. Fitness was assessed from running economy, submaximal exercise lactate response, and peak oxygen uptake. Body composition was determined through a bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA). Finger-prick blood samples were taken for fasting glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Results: Twelve British South Asian males (aged 15.2 ± 0.3 years) and 11 British white males (aged 15.1 ± 0.3 years) were recruited. Mean systolic blood pressure in British South Asian adolescents was 6.9 mm Hg higher (95% confidence interval [CI], −13.4 to 0.4 mm Hg) than in their British white counterparts. Following multifactorial adjustment, this increased to 12.4 mm Hg. Fasting blood triglycerides were 1.04 mmol/L (0.52-1.57 mmol/L) higher in Asians; this was nonsignificant following adjustment for dietary factors. The British South Asian adolescents' diet contained 42 g (23-61 g) more fat per day. Conclusions: Differences in cardiovascular risk profile between British South Asian and British white males are present in adolescence, with higher fasting blood triglycerides in British South Asian adolescent males being attributed to a higher proportion of dietary fat. Interventions may thus be developed to influence dietary choices during childhood, and therefore potentially reduce CVD in adulthood.

Burden of abdominal obesity in cardiac rehabilitation patients: Results from the Swiss CaRe study

The burden of abdominal obesity (AO) and its association with other cardiovascular risk factors is not known in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients attending cardiac rehabilitation (CR). The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the prevalence of AO and differences in cardiovascular risk factors between AO and non-AO patients. 415 consecutive male CAD patients (mean age 58 ± 11 years) attending a three-month outpatient CR programme were assessed. Differences in cardiovascular risk profile, including blood lipids, psychosocial and socioeconomic status and exercise capacity, were compared in relation to AO and checked for obesity measured by body-mass index (BMI) in a multivariate analysis. Mean waist circumference was 102 ± 11 cm. Patients of lower educational level had a higher prevalence of AO (p = 0.021) than patients with a higher educational level. AO was significantly associated with diabetes (p = 0.003) and hypertension (p <0.001). In AO patients, HDL-C levels were lower (p <0.001) and triglyceride levels higher (p = 0.006) than in non-AO patients. There was no difference in exercise capacity between AO and non-AO patients, but AO patients had a higher resting heart rate (p = 0.021). AO is highly prevalent in CAD patients attending CR. AO is, independently of BMI, associated with metabolic lipid disorders and autonomic cardiovascular dysregulation, suggesting an increased cardiovascular risk. AO patients therefore need particular attention during CR and follow-up care.

The cost effectiveness of rapid-acting insulin aspart compared with human insulin in type 2 diabetes patients: an analysis from the Japanese third-party payer perspective

Objectives:The Nippon Ultra-Rapid Insulin and Diabetic Complication Evaluation Study (NICE Study) (NCT00575172) was a 5-year, open-label, randomised controlled trial which compared cardiovascular outcomes in Japanese type 2 diabetes patients intensively treated with regular human insulin or insulin aspart (NovoRapid; Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsværd, Denmark), a rapid-acting insulin analogue. The aim of the present analysis was to evaluate the cost effectiveness of insulin aspart versus regular human insulin from the perspective of a Japanese third-party healthcare payer.Research design and methods:A discrete event-simulation model was developed in Microsoft Excel to assess the within-trial cost effectiveness and make longer-term clinical projections in patients treated with regular human insulin or insulin aspart. In addition to severe hypoglycaemia, the model captured myocardial and cerebral infarction events and percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass graft procedures. Within-trial mortality, incidence of severe hypoglycaemia and cardiovascular event probabilities were derived from the annual rates observed during the trial period, while post-trial outcomes were calculated using the event rates from the trial, adjusted for increasing patient age. Event costs were accounted from the healthcare payer perspective and expressed in 2008 Japanese yen (JPY), while health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was captured using event and state utilities. Future costs and clinical benefits were discounted at 3% annually. Life expectancy, quality-adjusted life expectancy, cardiovascular event rates and costs were evaluated over 5- and 10-year time horizons and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess variability in model outcomes.Results:Over 5 years of treatment, insulin aspart dominated human insulin both in incremental life expectancy and in incremental quality-adjusted life-years (QALYS). Insulin aspart was associated with a small improvement in discounted life expectancy of 0.005 years (4.688 vs. 4.684 years) and an increase of 0.023 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) (3.800 vs. 3.776 QALYs) when compared with regular human insulin. Insulin aspart also incurred lower costs (JPY 481,586 vs. 594,717, difference −113,131) which resulted from the decreased incidence of cardiovascular events with insulin aspart (0.013 events per patient year vs. 0.030 on regular human insulin). Breakdown of costs indicated that pharmacy costs were higher with insulin aspart (JPY 346,608 vs. 278,468), but these costs were more than offset by the reduced costs associated with cardiovascular complications and hypoglycaemia over 5 years of treatment (JPY 134,978 vs. 316,249). Sensitivity analysis showed that insulin aspart was still cost-effective in the case where only 18% of the within-trial cardiovascular and mortality benefit over regular human insulin was captured in the model (assuming a willingness-to-pay threshold of JPY 5,000,000).Limitations:The NICE study cohort was relatively small (n = 325), meaning that caution should be exercised when calculating and interpreting the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Also, despite the differences in cardiovascular risk profile between the Japanese and UK populations, UKPDS-derived risk equations were used to project MI outcomes and PCI and CABG procedures and UKPDS HRQoL scores were applied to all health states. While these risk formulas and HRQoL utilities may not be directly applicable to the Japanese population, no equivalent Japanese-specific data are currently available.Conclusions:In a Japanese type 2 diabetes population, prescribing rapid-acting insulin aspart significantly reduced cardiovascular complications over 5- and 10-year time horizons, resulting in increased quality of life and decreased costs when compared with human insulin.

Apolipoprotein B, non‐HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol for identifying individuals at increased cardiovascular risk

To compare apolipoprotein B (apoB), non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (non-HDL-c) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) for identifying individuals with a deteriorated cardiovascular (CV) risk profile, including a panel of subclinical atherosclerosis measurements and prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a Dutch population-based cohort. Clinical and biochemical measurements and a panel of noninvasive parameters of subclinical atherosclerosis were determined in 1517 individuals, aged 50-70 years. Both men and women with increasing levels of apoB and non-HDL-c were more obese, had higher blood pressure and fasting glucose levels, and a more atherogenic lipid profile. Furthermore, compared to the reference group (composed of those with apoB, non-HDL-c and LDL-c levels in the bottom quartiles), participants with high apoB and high non-HDL-c levels had a lower ankle-brachial index at rest (-3.5% and -3.1%, respectively) and after exercise (-6.3% and -4.7%, respectively), a thicker near wall (+4.8% and +4.2%, respectively), far wall (both +6.2%), and mean intima-media thickness (+5.7% and +5.3%, respectively) and more plaques (+54.2% and +54.3%, respectively). In addition, they also showed increased stiffness parameters (e.g. pulse wave velocity both +3.6%). Less clear differences in CV risk profile and subclinical atherosclerosis parameters were observed when participants were stratified by LDL-c level. Furthermore, apoB but not LDL-c detected prevalent CVD, and non-HDL-c only detected prevalent CVD in men. The discriminatory power for prevalent CVD expressed as area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.60 (P < 0.001) for apoB, 0.57 (P = 0.001) for non-HDL-c and 0.54 (P = 0.108) for LDL-c. Our data support the use of first apoB and secondly non-HDL-c above LDL-c for identifying individuals from the general population with a compromised CV phenotype.

Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Profile of Diabetic Subjects Discordantly Classified by Diagnostic Criteria Based on Glycated Hemoglobin and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

OBJECTIVETo characterize the cardiovascular risk profile of subjects categorized differently by A1C- and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)-based diagnostic criteria for diabetes according to the recommendations of the American Diabetes Association (ADA).RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSAn OGTT, A1C, and several cardiovascular risk factors were assessed in 964 individuals without known diabetes participating in a cross-sectional epidemiological survey in Gran Canaria, Spain.RESULTSTaking the OGTT as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of an A1C value ≥6.5% were 38.7 and 99.6%, respectively. Subjects who fulfilled A1C-based criterion presented greater measures of BMI and waist circumference, lower values for HDL cholesterol, and higher values for fasting plasma glucose, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and fibrinogen than subjects with diabetic OGTT but A1C <6.5%.CONCLUSIONSNewly diagnosed diabetic individuals who fulfill A1C-based diagnostic criterion for the disease display a more unfavorable cardiovascular risk profile than individuals who only meet the glucose-based criteria.

Les patients très âgés sont-ils de bons candidats à l’angioplastie coronaire ? Une étude rétrospective monocentrique

Aim To determine the feasibility of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in very old patients. Background The elderly are a growing population with a high prevalence of ischemic heart disease and then subsequent possibility to benefit from coronary interventions. Method We have conducted a retrospective study using our PCI database since January 2000. Population characteristics, clinical presentation, type of lesions, technical procedure, immediate results and in hospital outcome are compare between patients older than 85 and the other. Results Between January 2008 and March 2009, 3130 patients benefit from coronary angioplasty. Among them, 85 patients were older than 85. There were more female in this group (24.7 vs. 14.3%, P = 0.007), but no difference in cardiovascular risk profile. The older was more symptomatic (acute coronary syndrome: 59.52 vs. 44%, P = 0.004; silent ischemia: 3.6 vs. 25.7%, P = 0.000003). The ejection fraction was worse (EF < 55%: 29.4 vs. 14.5%, P = 0.0001). The lesion was more complex (B2 and C: 67.2 vs. 57.1% P = 0.027) and concern more often the left descending artery (85.9 vs. 57.1%, P = 0.000001). The technical success was similar in the two groups (93.28 vs. 94.32%, P = 0.34) with similar rate of per procedure complications (2.35 vs. 1.5%, P = 0.37). Nevertheless, the in-hospital rate mortality was higher in the older patients (7 vs 1.38%, P = 0.0014). Conclusion PCI is safe and safety in very old patients despite significant but acceptable increasing in-hospital mortality due to more severe disease and co morbidities. Further evaluations are necessary in order to edict specific recommendations.

Comparison of intracoronary versus intravenous administration of tirofiban in primary percutaneous coronary intervention

The purpose of this study was to compare the intravenous bolus dose of tirofiban with intracoronary bolus dose in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with regard to in hospital and six months clinical outcomes and peak cardiac enzyme levels. We retrospectively examined 84 ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients who underwent primary PCI from March 2006 to February 2007. All patients received the systemic bolus dose of tirofiban 10 mcg/kg either via intracoronary (IC) or intravenous (IV) route, followed by a 36 hours of IV infusion at 0.15 mcg/kg/min. Thirty six patients in IC group were compared with 48 patients in IV group in terms of peak cardiac enzyme levels, in-hospital and six months major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rates (death, myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization). Fisher's exact test, Yates Chi-square, unpaired Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. There was no difference in cardiovascular risk profile or cardiac history between two groups. At six months the incidence of MACE was 6.25% in IV group and 11.1% in IC group (p=0.45). Peak cardiac phosphokinase (CPK) levels between IV and IC groups were also statistically non significant (2657+/-2181 U/L in IV group and 2529+/-1929 U/L in IC group) (p=0.92). Intracoronary bolus application of tirofiban was not associated with reduction in MACE rates compared to intravenous administration in patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI. Future prospective trials with higher bolus doses of IC tirofiban should addressed to clarify this issue.

Comparison of cardiovascular risk profiles among ethnic groups using population health surveys between 1996 and 2007

Although people of South Asian, Chinese and black ethnic backgrounds represent about 60% of the world's population, most knowledge of cardiovascular risk is derived from studies conducted in white populations. We conducted a large, population-based comparison of cardiovascular risk among people of white, South Asian, Chinese and black ethnicity living in Ontario, Canada. We examined the age- and sex-standardized prevalence of eight cardiovascular risk factors, heart disease and stroke among 154,653 white people, 3364 South Asian people, 3038 Chinese people and 2742 black people. For this study, we pooled respondent data from five cross-sectional health surveys conducted between 1996 and 2007: the National Population Health Survey of 1996 and the Canadian Community Health Survey, versions 1.1, 2.1, 3.1 and 4.1. The four ethnic groups varied considerably in the prevalence of the four major cardiovascular risk factors that we examined: for smoking, South Asian 8.6%, Chinese 8.7%, black 11.4% and white 24.8%; for obesity, Chinese 2.5%, South Asian 8.1%, black 14.1% and white 14.8%; for diabetes mellitus, white 4.2%, Chinese 4.3%, South Asian 8.1% and black 8.5%; and for hypertension, white 13.7%, Chinese 15.1%, South Asian 17.0% and black 19.8%. The prevalence of heart disease ranged from a low of 3.2% in the Chinese population to a high of 5.2% in the South Asian population, and the prevalence of stroke ranged from a low of 0.6% in the Chinese population to a high of 1.7% in the South Asian population. Although the black population had the least favourable cardiovascular risk factor profile overall, this group had a relatively low prevalence of heart disease (3.4%). Ethnic groups living in Ontario had striking differences in cardiovascular risk profiles. Awareness of these differences may help in identifying priorities for the development of cardiovascular disease prevention programs for specific ethnic groups.

Differential Effects of Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors on Vascular Smooth Muscle Ion Channels May Account for Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Profiles

Celecoxib, rofecoxib, and diclofenac are clinically used cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, which have been under intense scrutiny because long-term rofecoxib (Vioxx; Merck, Whitehouse Station, NJ) treatment was found to increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. A differential risk profile for these drugs has emerged, but the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. We investigated the effects of celecoxib, rofecoxib, and diclofenac on ionic currents and calcium signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) using patch-clamp techniques and fura-2 fluorescence and on arterial constriction using pressure myography. Celecoxib, but not rofecoxib or diclofenac, dramatically enhanced KCNQ (K(v)7) potassium currents and suppressed L-type voltage-sensitive calcium currents in A7r5 rat aortic smooth muscle cells (native KCNQ currents or overexpressed human KCNQ5 currents) and freshly isolated rat mesenteric artery myocytes. The effects of celecoxib were concentration-dependent within the therapeutic concentration range, and were reversed on washout. Celecoxib, but not rofecoxib, also inhibited calcium responses to vasopressin in A7r5 cells and dilated intact or endothelium-denuded rat mesenteric arteries. A celecoxib analog, 2,5-dimethyl-celecoxib, which does not inhibit COX-2, mimicked celecoxib in its enhancement of vascular KCNQ5 currents, suppression of L-type calcium currents, and vasodilation. We conclude that celecoxib inhibits calcium responses in VSMCs by enhancing KCNQ5 currents and suppressing L-type calcium currents, which ultimately reduces vascular tone. These effects are independent of its COX-2 inhibitory actions and may explain the differential risk of cardiovascular events in patients taking different drugs of this class.

Differences in cardiovascular risk profile based on relationship between post‐load plasma glucose and fasting plasma levels

It has been shown that subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), whose plasma glucose (PG) levels do not return to their fasting PG level within 2 h during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (Group I), have a significantly higher risk to develop type 2 diabetes than NGT subjects whose 2-h glucose returns to, or drops below, the fasting level (Group I). However, it is still unsettled whether individuals in Group II have a more atherogenic profile than Group I subjects. To address this issue, we examined 266 non-diabetic offspring of type 2 diabetic patients, recruited in the context of EUGENE2 cross-sectional study. All subjects underwent an euglycaemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp to assess glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, cardiovascular risk factors and ultrasound measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) were evaluated. Individuals in Group II exhibited significantly higher waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, 2-h post-load PG, hsC-reactive protein, interleukin-6, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), IMT, and lower insulin sensitivity than subjects in Group I. Subjects with NGT, whose PG concentration does not return to their fasting PG level within 2 h during OGTT, have an atherogenic profile, suggesting that performing OGTT with measurement of PG every 30 min may be useful to assess the risk for cardiovascular disease in glucose-tolerant subjects.

Socioeconomic status, pathogen burden and cardiovascular disease risk

Objective:Socioeconomic status (SES) is inversely associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Cumulative pathogen burden may also predict future CHD. The hypothesis was tested that lower SES is associated with...