Differences In Mortality Risk Research Articles

Contribution of an extensive medication-based comorbidity index (Rx-Risk) in explaining the excess mortality after hip fracture in older Norwegians: a NOREPOS cohort study

ObjectivesPatients with hip fracture are typically characterised by extensive comorbidities and excess mortality. Methods that account for a wide range of comorbidities are needed when attempting to identify causal associations...

Temporal trends in disease-specific causes of cardiovascular mortality amongst patients with cancer in the USA between 1999 and 2019.

We report disease-specific cardiovascular causes of mortality among cancer patients in the USA between 1999 and 2019, considering temporal trends by age, sex, and cancer site. We used the Multiple Cause of Death database, accessed through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research resource. We included 629308 decedents with cardiovascular disease (CVD) recorded as the primary cause of death and active malignancy listed as a contributing cause of death. We created disease-specific CVD categories and grouped cancers by site. We calculated the proportion of CVD deaths attributed to each disease category stratified by sex, age, and cancer site. We also examined disease-specific temporal trends by cancer site. Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) was the most common cardiovascular cause of death across all cancer types (55.6%), being more common in men (59.8%), older ages, and in those with lung (67.8%) and prostate (58.3%) cancers. Cerebrovascular disease (12.9%) and hypertensive diseases (7.6%) were other common causes of death. The proportion of deaths due to heart failure was greatest in haematological (7.7%) and breast (6.3%) cancers. There was a decreasing temporal trend in the proportion of cardiovascular deaths attributed to IHD across all cancer types. The proportion of deaths due to hypertensive diseases showed the greatest percentage increase, with the largest change in breast cancer patients (+191.1%). We demonstrate differential cardiovascular mortality risk by cancer site and demographics, providing insight into the evolving healthcare needs of this growing high-cardiovascular risk population.

Thirty-Day Morbidity and Mortality in Patients With COPD Following Open Reduction and Internal Fixation for Rotational Ankle Fractures

Prior orthopedic literature has found patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to be at an increased risk for postoperative morbidity and mortality. Thus, the purpose of this study is to identify whether there are any differences in risk for 30-day morbidity or mortality following ORIF for ankle fractures between adult patients with COPD and without COPD. Patients undergoing operative treatment for ankle fracture were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2006 to 2018. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts: non-COPD and COPD patients. In this analysis, demographics data, medical comorbidities, and thirty-day postoperative outcomes were analyzed between the 2 cohorts. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Of 10,346 total patients who underwent operative treatment for ankle fracture, 9986 patients (96.5%) did not have a history of COPD whereas 360 (3.5%) had COPD. Following adjustment to control for demographic and comorbidity data, relative to patients without COPD, those with COPD had an increased risk of pneumonia (odds ratio [OR] 4.601; p = .001), unplanned intubation (OR 3.085; p = .043), and hospital readmission (OR 1.828; p = .020). Patients with COPD did not have a statistically significant difference with regards to mortality (OR 2.729; p = .080). Adult patients with COPD are at an increased risk for pneumonia, unplanned intubation, and hospital readmission within 30 days following ORIF of ankle fractures compared to patients without COPD. Despite these risks, this is a relatively safe procedure for these patients and the presence of COPD alone should not serve as a barrier to surgery.

Disparities in COVID-19 Mortality Rates: Implications for Rural Health Policy and Preparedness.

Context:It is well established that rural communities face geographic and socioeconomic challenges linked to higher rates of health disparities across the United States, though the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impact on rural communities is less certain.Objective:To understand the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on rural communities in Tennessee, investigate differences in rural-urban mortality rates after controlling for confounding variables, and inform state pandemic response policy.Design:A cross-sectional analysis of cumulative COVID-19 morality rates.Setting/Participants:Tennessee county-level COVID-19 mortality data from March 1, 2020, to January 31, 2021, were matched with county-level sociodemographic and health data from public datasets: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Social Determinants of Health, PLACES: Local Data for Better Health County Data, and the US Census Bureau. County status was defined using the 2013 National Center for Health Statistics Urban-Rural Classification.Main Outcome Measures:A negative binomial regression model estimated adjusted incidence rate ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for rural compared with urban mortality. Unadjusted rate ratios and rate differences for COVID-19 mortality in rural versus urban counties were compared with those for influenza and pneumonia and all-cause mortality over the past 5 years.Results:During the study period, 9650 COVID-19 deaths occurred across 42 urban and 53 rural counties. Controlling for county-level sociodemographic characteristics, health care access, and comorbidities, incidence rate ratio was 1.13 (95% CI, 1.00-1.28, P < .05) for rural as compared with urban deaths. Unadjusted COVID-19 mortality risk difference between rural and urban counties was greater (61.85, 95% CI, 54.31-69.31) than 5-year influenza and pneumonia rural-urban risk difference (12.57, 95% CI, 11.16-13.00) during 2015-2019.Conclusions:COVID-19 mortality rates were greater for populations living in Tennessee's rural as compared with urban counties during the study period. This differential impact must be considered in public health decision making to mitigate COVID-19.

Assessment of Age and Sex Differences in Risk of 1-Year Mortality After Emergency Department Visits Caused by Alcohol Use

This cross-sectional study assesses age and sex differences in risk of 1-year mortality in patients with emergency department visits due to alcohol compared with the general population in Ontario, Canada.

IDF21-0653 Exploring different ways to predict mortality in a cost-effectiveness model for obesity

Background: Studies have shown that increased BMI is associated with elevated mortality risks. This may be driven by case fatality of obesity complications that occur more frequently with higher BMI (disease mortality), or by residual mortality risk associated with higher BMI (BMI mortality). Previous versions of the recently validated Core Obesity Model (COM) adjust for BMI impact on the complications of obesity, including prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, but assume no further impact of increasing BMI on mortality. Aim: To assess the impact of different ways of modelling mortality on all-cause mortality in the COM (version 15). Method: All-cause mortality by age and sex, derived from general population statistics, is incorporated in the COM. To avoid double-counting, mortality associated with specific conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, which are accounted for in the modelling, is subsequently subtracted. Finally, obesity complications and mortality are estimated according to physiological parameters, including BMI. A targeted literature review using PubMed was conducted to identify recent studies (published 2010–2020) investigating the association between mortality and BMI in populations with obesity, in order to further calibrate mortality in the model. Results: The review identified six studies for potential inclusion, of which two large, population-based UK studies were used. Both studies used BMI 25 kg/m2 as the reference category. Bhaskaran et al. reported a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.21 for each five BMI units increase (Bhaskaran K et al. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2018), and Wade et al. reported a HR of 1.02 for each one BMI unit increase (Wade K et al. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2018), above this reference category. Based on these two studies, four additional options to predict all-cause mortality (10-year risks) were included in the model, by calibrating with BMI (Table). When predicting mortality based on disease mortality only, the risk is fairly constant across BMI categories. However, accounting for combined disease and BMI mortality or BMI mortality alone yields greater differences in mortality risks across BMI categories. Table. Ten-year all-cause mortality risks (%) by BMI range.Tabled 1BMI ranges (kg/m2)18.5–24.925–29.930–34.935–39.940–45Original option: disease mortality onlya5.85.96.06.16.11. Disease and BMI mortality combined (Bhaskaran et al.)5.55.46.37.69.22. Disease and BMI mortality combined (Wade et al.)5.96.06.77.48.03. BMI mortality only (Bhaskaran et al.)2.92.63.54.96.74. BMI mortality only (Wade et al.)3.33.34.04.75.3aDisease-specific plus non-disease-specific mortality (by age, sex and disease history, derived from general population statistics).Baseline characteristics: age, 48.5 years; 64.6% women. Open table in a new tab Discussion: The updated version of the COM allows the user to apply different ways of calculating mortality. Applying the impact of BMI only on disease-specific case fatality rates results in small differences between BMI categories, whereas applying the effects of BMI on general mortality results in a larger spread of mortality risks. Combining both approaches results in a wider spread of risks, without changing the mortality risks in the normal BMI group, aligned with the evidence base informing the calibration. aDisease-specific plus non-disease-specific mortality (by age, sex and disease history, derived from general population statistics). Baseline characteristics: age, 48.5 years; 64.6% women.

Associations of Dietary Cholesterol, Serum Cholesterol, and Egg Consumption With Overall and Cause-Specific Mortality: Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis.

Despite substantial research highlighting the importance of exogenous dietary cholesterol intake and endogenous serum cholesterol level in human health, a thorough evaluation of the associations is lacking. Our study objective was to examine overall and cause-specific mortality in relation to dietary and serum cholesterol, as well as egg consumption, and conduct an updated meta-regression analysis of cohort studies. We conducted a prospective analysis of 27 078 men in the ATBC Study (Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention). Multivariable-controlled cause-specific Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios and 31-year absolute mortality risk differences. A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies was also performed (PROSPERO [URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/; Unique identifier: CRD42021272756]). Based on 482 316 person-years of follow-up, we identified 22 035 deaths, including 9110 deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Greater dietary cholesterol and egg consumption were associated with increased risk of overall and CVD-related mortality. Hazard ratios for each additional 300 mg cholesterol intake per day were 1.10 and 1.13 for overall and CVD-related mortality, respectively; for each additional 50-g egg consumed daily, hazard ratios were 1.06 and 1.09, respectively, for overall and CVD-related mortality (all P values<0.0001). After multivariable adjustment, higher serum total cholesterol concentrations were associated with increased risk of CVD-related mortality (hazard ratios per 1 SD increment, 1.14; P<0.0001). The observed associations were generally similar across cohort subgroups. The updated meta-analysis of cohort studies on the basis of 49 risk estimates, 3 601 401 participants, and 255 479 events showed consumption of 1 additional 50-g egg daily was associated with significantly increased CVD risk (pooled relative risk, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.00-1.08]; I2=80.1%). In the subgroup analysis of geographic regions (Pinteraction=0.02), an increase of 50-g egg consumed daily was associated with a higher risk of CVD in US cohorts (pooled relative risk, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.02-1.14]) and appeared related to a higher CVD risk in European cohorts with borderline significance (pooled relative risk, 1.05), but was not associated with CVD risk in Asian cohorts. In this prospective cohort study and updated meta-analysis, greater dietary cholesterol and egg consumption were associated with increased risk of overall and CVD-related mortality. Our findings support restricted consumption of dietary cholesterol as a means to improve long-term health and longevity.

Phenotype of limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis patients with positive anti-topoisomerase I antibodies: data from the EUSTAR cohort.

To characterize patients with positive anti-topoisomerase I (ATA) in lcSSc. SSc patients enrolled in the EUSTAR cohort with a disease duration of ≤3 years at database entry were considered. We assessed the risk of major organ involvement in the following groups: ATA-lcSSc vs ACA-lcSSc and vs ANA without specificity (ANA)-lcSSc, and ATA-lcSSc vs ATA-dcSSc. Cox regression models with time-dependent covariates were performed with the following outcomes: new-onset interstitial lung disease (ILD), ILD progression [forced vital capacity (FVC) decline ≥10% and ≥5% vs values at ILD diagnosis), primary myocardial involvement (PMI), pulmonary hypertension (PH), any organ involvement and all-cause mortality. We included 1252 patients [194 ATA-lcSSc (15.5%)], with 7.7 years (s.d. 3.5) of follow-up. ILD risk was higher in ATA-lcSSc vs ACA- and ANA-lcSSc and similar to ATA-dcSSc, although with less frequent restrictive lung disease. The risk of FVC decline ≥10% (35% of ATA-lcSSc) was lower in ATA-lcSSc than in ATA-dcSSc, whereas FVC decline ≥5% occurs similarly between ATA-lcSSc (58% of patients) and other SSc subsets, including ATA-dcSSc. The risk of PMI was similar in ATA-lcSSc and ANA-lcSSc but lower than in ACA-lcSSc; no difference in PH and mortality risk was observed among lcSSc subsets. The risk of any organ involvement, PMI and PH was lower and the mortality tended to be lower in ATA-lcSSc vs ATA-dcSSc. ATA-lcSSc patients have a high risk of ILD, albeit with a lower risk of progression compared with ATA-dcSSc, supporting careful screening for ILD in this subgroup.

Does recipient body mass index inform donor selection for allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation?

It is not known whether obesity has a differential effect on allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation outcomes with alternative donor types. We report the results of a retrospective registry study examining the effect of obesity [body mass index (BMI)>30] on outcomes with alternative donors (haploidentical related donor with two or more mismatches and receiving post-transplant cyclophosphamide [haplo] and cord blood (CBU)] versus matched unrelated donor (MUD). Adult patients receiving haematopoietic cell transplantation for haematologic malignancy (2013-2017) (N=16 182) using MUD (n=11 801), haplo (n=2894) and CBU (n=1487) were included. The primary outcome was non-relapse mortality (NRM). The analysis demonstrated a significant, non-linear interaction between pretransplant BMI and the three donor groups for NRM: NRM risk was significantly higher with CBU compared to haplo at BMI 25-30 [hazard ratio (HR) 1.66-1.71, p<0.05] and MUD transplants at a BMI of 25-45 (HR, 1.61-3.47, p<0.05). The results demonstrated that NRM and survival outcomes are worse in overweight and obese transplant recipients (BMI≥25) with one alternative donor type over MUD, although obesity does not appear to confer a uniform differential mortality risk with one donor type over the other. BMI may serve as a criterion for selecting a donor among the three (MUD, haplo and CBU) options, if matched sibling donor is not available.

Trajectories of alcohol consumption in relation to all-cause mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease: a 35-year prospective cohort study.

Background and AimsResearch into alcohol consumption and cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients' prognosis has largely ignored the longitudinal dynamics in drinking behaviour. This study measured the association between alcohol consumption trajectories and mortality risk in CVD patients.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingUK‐based Whitehall II Study.ParticipantsA total of 1306 participants with incident non‐fatal CVD (coronary heart disease/stroke) events.MeasurementsUp to eight repeated measures of alcohol intake were available for each patient from the most recent assessment phase pre‐incident CVD and all subsequent phases post‐incident CVD, spanning up to three decades. Six trajectory groups of alcohol consumption were identified using group‐based trajectory modelling and related to the risk of all‐cause mortality, adjusting for demographics and changes in life‐style and health status.FindingsThree hundred and eighty deaths were recorded during a median follow‐up of 5 years after patients' last alcohol assessment. Compared with patients who consistently drank moderately (≤ 14 units/week), former drinkers had a greater risk of mortality (hazard ratio = 1.74, 95% confidence interval = 1.19–2.54) after adjustment for covariates. There was no significantly increased risk of mortality in long‐term abstainers, reduced moderate drinkers, stable or unstable heavy drinkers. Cross‐sectional analyses based only on drinking information at patients' last assessment found no significant differences in mortality risk for abstainers, former or heavy drinkers versus moderate drinkers.ConclusionsCardiovascular disease patients who consistently drink ≤ 14 units/week appear to have a similar risk of mortality to those who are long‐term abstainers, which does not support a protective effect of moderate drinking on total mortality. Cardiovascular disease patients who stop drinking appear to have increased mortality risk compared with continuous moderate drinkers, but this may be linked to poor self‐rated health before cardiovascular disease onset.

The significance of direct transportation to a trauma center on survival for severe traumatic brain injury

IntroductionWhile timely specialized care can contribute to improved outcomes following traumatic brain injury (TBI), this condition remains the most common cause of post-injury death worldwide. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in mortality between regional trauma centers in Sweden (which provide neurosurgical services round the clock) and non-trauma centers, hypothesizing that 1-day and 30-day mortality will be lower at regional trauma centers.Patients and methodsThis retrospective cohort study used data extracted from the Swedish national trauma registry and included adults admitted with severe TBI between January 2014 and December 2018. The cohort was divided into two subgroups based on whether they were treated at a trauma center or non-trauma center. Severe TBI was defined as a head injury with an AIS score of 3 or higher. Poisson regression analyses with both univariate and multivariate models were performed to determine the difference in mortality risk [Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR)] between the subgroups. As a sensitivity analysis, the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method was used to adjust for the effects of confounding.ResultsA total of 3039 patients were included. Patients admitted to a trauma center had a lower crude 30-day mortality rate (21.7 vs. 26.4% days, p = 0.006). After adjusting for confounding variables, patients treated at regional trauma center had a 28% [adj. IRR (95% CI): 0.72 (0.55–0.94), p = 0.015] decreased risk of 1-day mortality and an 18% [adj. IRR (95% CI): 0.82 (0.69–0.98)] reduction in 30-day mortality, compared to patients treated at a non-trauma center. After adjusting for covariates in the Poisson regression analysis performed after IPTW, admission and treatment at a trauma center were associated with a 27% and 17% reduction in 1-day and 30-day mortality, respectively.ConclusionFor patients suffering a severe TBI, treatment at a regional trauma center confers a statistically significant 1-day and 30-day survival advantage over treatment at a non-trauma center.

Mortality Rates Among Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 Infection Treated With Tocilizumab and Corticosteroids

A World Health Organization (WHO) meta-analysis found that tocilizumab was associated with reduced mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. However, uncertainty remains concerning the magnitude of tocilizumab's benefits and whether its association with mortality benefit is similar across respiratory subgroups. To use bayesian methods to assess the magnitude of mortality benefit associated with tocilizumab and the differences between respiratory support subgroups in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. A bayesian hierarchical reanalysis of the WHO meta-analysis of tocilizumab studies published in 2020 and 2021 was performed. Main results were estimated using weakly informative priors to exert little influence on the observed data. The robustness of these results was evaluated using vague and informative priors. The studies featured in the meta-analysis were randomized clinical tocilizumab trials of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Only patients receiving corticosteroids were included. Usual care plus tocilizumab in comparison with usual care or placebo. All-cause mortality at 28 days after randomization. Among the 5339 patients included in this analysis, most were men, with mean ages between 56 and 66 years. There were 2117 patients receiving simple oxygen only, 2505 receiving noninvasive ventilation (NIV), and 717 receiving invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in 15 studies from multiple countries and continents. Assuming weakly informative priors, the overall odds ratios (ORs) for survival were 0.70 (95% credible interval [CrI], 0.50-0.91) for patients receiving simple oxygen only, 0.81 (95% CrI, 0.63-1.03) for patients receiving NIV, and 0.89 (95% CrI, 0.61-1.22) for patients receiving IMV, respectively. The posterior probabilities of any benefit (OR <1) were notably different between patients receiving simple oxygen only (98.9%), NIV (95.5%), and IMV (75.4%). The posterior probabilities of a clinically meaningful association (absolute mortality risk difference >1%) were greater than 95% in patients receiving simple oxygen only and greater than 90% in patients receiving NIV. In contrast, the posterior probability of this clinically meaningful association was only approximately 67% in patients receiving IMV. The probabilities of tocilizumab superiority in the simple oxygen only subgroup compared with the NIV and IMV subgroups were 85% and 90%, respectively. Predictive intervals highlighted that only 72.1% of future tocilizumab IMV studies would show benefit. The conclusions did not change with different prior distributions. In this bayesian reanalysis of a previous meta-analysis of 15 studies of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 treated with tocilizumab and corticosteroids, use of simple oxygen only and NIV was associated with a probability of a clinically meaningful mortality benefit from tocilizumab. Future research should clarify whether patients receiving IMV also benefit from tocilizumab.

Breast cancer-specific mortality in early breast cancer as defined by high-risk clinical and pathologic characteristics.

ObjectivesTo investigate breast cancer-specific mortality by early breast cancer (EBC; Stages I-IIIC) subtype; incidence of high-risk indicators for recurrence (defined in monarchE trial); and mortality risk difference by those who did/did not meet these criteria.Materials and methodsAnalyses included patients with initial EBC diagnosis between 2010–2015 from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data (n = 342,149). Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier estimates examined mortality among 228,031 patients, by subtype (hormone receptor [HR]-positive [+], human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 [HER2] negative [–]; triple negative [TNBC]; HR+, HER2+; HR-, HER2+). Incidence and mortality among patients who did/did not meet monarchE clinicopathological high-risk criteria were examined.ResultsAmong patients with HR+, HER2- EBC, histologic Grade 3 (vs. Grade 1) was the most influential factor on mortality (hazard ratio, 3.61; 95%CI, 3.27, 3.98). Among patients with TNBC, ≥4 ipsilateral axillary positive nodes (vs. node negative) was the most influential factor on mortality (hazard ratio, 3.46; 95%CI, 2.87, 4.17). For patients with HR-, HER2+ or HR+, HER2+ EBC, tumor size ≥5 cm (vs. <1 cm) and ≥4 ipsilateral axillary positive nodes were the most influential factors on mortality. The 60-month mortality rate for the 12% of patients within the HR+, HER2- EBC group meeting monarchE clinicopathological high-risk criteria was 16.5%, versus 7.0% (Stage II–III and node positive) and 2.8% (Stage I or node negative) for those not meeting criteria. The 60-month mortality rate for patients with TNBC was 18.5%.ConclusionMortality risk and the relative importance of risk factors varied by subtype. monarchE clinicopathological high-risk criteria were associated with increased mortality risk among patients with HR+, HER2- EBC. Patients with HR+, HER2- EBC, and monarchE clinicopathological high-risk criteria experienced risk of mortality similar to patients with early TNBC. These data highlight a high unmet need in this select patient population who may benefit most from therapy escalation.

Twin epidemics: the effects of HIV and systolic blood pressure on mortality risk in rural South Africa, 2010-2019

BackgroundSub-Saharan African settings are experiencing dual epidemics of HIV and hypertension. We investigate effects of each condition on mortality and examine whether HIV and hypertension interact in determining mortality.MethodsData come from the 2010 Ha Nakekela population-based survey of individuals ages 40 and older (1,802 women; 1,107 men) nested in the Agincourt Health and socio-Demographic Surveillance System in rural South Africa, which provides mortality follow-up from population surveillance until mid-2019. Using discrete-time event history models stratified by sex, we assessed differential mortality risks according to baseline measures of HIV infection, HIV-1 RNA viral load, and systolic blood pressure.ResultsDuring the 8-year follow-up period, mortality was high (477 deaths). Survey weighted estimates are that 37% of men (mortality rate 987.53/100,000, 95% CI: 986.26 to 988.79) and 25% of women (mortality rate 937.28/100,000, 95% CI: 899.7 to 974.88) died. Over a quarter of participants were living with HIV (PLWH) at baseline, over 50% of whom had unsuppressed viral loads. The share of the population with a systolic blood pressure of 140mm Hg or higher increased from 24% at ages 40-59 to 50% at ages 75-plus and was generally higher for those not living with HIV compared to PLWH. Men and women with unsuppressed viral load had elevated mortality risks (men: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.23, 95% CI: 2.21 to 4.71, women: aOR 2.05, 95% CI: 1.27 to 3.30). There was a weak, non-linear relationship between systolic blood pressure and higher mortality risk. We found no significant interaction between systolic blood pressure and HIV status for either men or women (p>0.05).ConclusionsOur results indicate that HIV and elevated blood pressure are acting as separate, non-interacting epidemics affecting high proportions of the older adult population.PLWH with unsuppressed viral load were at higher mortality risk compared to those uninfected. Systolic blood pressure was a mortality risk factor independent of HIV status. As antiretroviral therapy becomes more widespread, further longitudinal follow-up is needed to understand how the dynamics of increased longevity and multimorbidity among people living with both HIV and high blood pressure, as well as the emergence of COVID-19, may alter these patterns.

Similarities in Hypertension Status but Differences in Mortality Risk: A Comparison of 2017 ACC/AHA and 2018 Chinese Hypertension Guidelines

BackgroundFew studies investigated the concordance in hypertension status and antihypertensive treatment recommendations between the 2018 Chinese Hypertension League (CHL) guidelines and the 2017 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines and assessed the change of premature mortality risk with hypertension defined by the ACC/AHA guidelines.MethodsWe used the baseline data of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) to estimate the population impact on hypertension management between CHL and ACC/AHA guidelines. Mortality risk from hypertension was estimated using the data from China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals(CIs).ResultsAmong 13,704 participants analyzed from the nationally representative data of CHARLS, 42.64% (95% CI: 40.35, 44.96) of Chinese adults were diagnosed by both CHL and ACC/AHA guidelines. 41.25% (39.17, 43.36) did not have hypertension according to either guideline. Overall, the concordance in hypertension status was 83.89% (81.69, 85.57). A high percentage of agreement was also found for recommendation to initiate treatment among untreated subjects (87.62% [86.67, 88.51]) and blood pressure (BP) above the goal among treated subjects (71.68% [68.16, 74.95]). Among 23,063 adults from CHNS, subjects with hypertension by CHL had a higher risk of premature mortality (1.75 [1.50, 2.04]) compared with those without hypertension. The association diminished for hypertension by ACC/AHA (1.46 [1.07, 1.30]). Moreover, the excess risk was not significant for the newly defined Grade 1 hypertension by ACC/AHA (1.15 [0.95, 1.38]) when compared with BP <120/80 mmHg. This contrasted with the estimate from CHL (1.54 [1.25, 1.89]). The same pattern was observed for total mortality.ConclusionsIf ACC/AHA guidelines were adopted, a high degree of concordance in hypertension status and initiation of antihypertensive treatment was found with CHL guidelines. However, the mortality risk with hypertension was reduced with a non-significant risk for Grade 1 hypertension defined by the ACC/AHA.

Clinical Subtypes of Sepsis Survivors Predict Readmission and Mortality after Hospital Discharge.

Rationale: Sepsis survivors experience adverse outcomes including high rates of postdischarge mortality and rehospitalization. Given the heterogeneity of the condition, using a person-centered framework to identify subtypes within this population with different risks of postdischarge outcomes may optimize postsepsis care. Objectives: To classify individuals into subtypes and assess the association of subtypes with 30-day rehospitalization and mortality. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study between January 2014 and October 2017 among 20,745 patients admitted to one of 12 southeastern U.S. hospitals with a clinical definition of sepsis. We used latent class analysis to classify sepsis survivors into subtypes, which were evaluated against 30-day readmission and mortality rates using a specialized regression approach. A secondary analysis evaluated subtypes against readmission rate for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions. Results: Among 20,745 patients, latent class analysis identified five distinct subtypes as the optimal solution. Clinical subtype was associated with 30-day readmission, with the subtype existing poor health with severe illness and complex needs after discharge demonstrating highest risk (35%) and the subtype low risk, barriers to care demonstrating the lowest risk (9%). Forty-seven percent of readmissions in the subtype poor functional status were for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions, whereas 17% of readmissions in the subtype previously healthy with severe illness and complex needs after discharge, barriers to care were for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions. Subtype was significantly associated with 30-day mortality: highest in for existing poor health with severe illness and complex needs after discharge (8%) and lowest for low risk, barriers to care (0.1%). Conclusions: Sepsis survivors can be classified into subtypes representing nuanced constellations of characteristics, with differential 30-day mortality and readmission risk profiles. Predischarge classification may allow an individualized approach to postsepsis care.

Efficacy and Safety of Clopidogrel Versus Ticagrelor as Part of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Acute Coronary Syndrome-A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

The efficacy and safety of clopidogrel compared with ticagrelor as part of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients, and in older patients, with acute coronary syndrome is reviewed. PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and HTA databases were searched (September 2, 2020) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Pooled risk differences (clopidogrel minus ticagrelor) were estimated using random-effects meta-analyses, and certainty of evidence was assessed according to Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. In all, 29 RCTs were identified. The risk difference for all-cause mortality was 0.6% (-0.03% to 1.3%), cardiovascular (CV) mortality: 0.6% (95% confidence interval: 0.01% to 1.1%), myocardial infarction (MI): 0.9% (0.4% to 1.3%), stent thrombosis: 0.7% (0.4 to 1.1%), clinically significant bleeding: -1.9% (-3.7% to -0.2%), major bleeding: -0.9% (-1.6% to -0.1%), and dyspnea: -5.8% (-7.7% to -3.8%). In older patients, there were no differences between the comparison groups regarding all-cause mortality, CV mortality, and MI, whereas the risk of clinically significant bleeding and major bleeding was lower in the clopidogrel group, -5.9% (-11 to -0.9%, 1 RCT) and -2.4% (-4.4% to -0.3%), respectively. Compared with ticagrelor, clopidogrel may result in little or no difference regarding all-cause mortality. Although not evident in older patients, it cannot be excluded that clopidogrel may be slightly less efficient in reducing the risk of CV mortality and MI, whereas ticagrelor is probably more efficacious in reducing the risk of stent thrombosis. Clopidogrel results in a reduced risk of dyspnea and clinically significant bleeding and in older people probably in a reduced risk of major bleeding.

Long-Term Mortality in Women With Pregnancy Loss and Modification by Race/Ethnicity.

Pregnancy loss is a common reproductive complication, but its association with long-term mortality and whether this varies by maternal race/ethnicity is not well understood. Data from a racially diverse cohort of pregnant women enrolled in the Collaborative Perinatal Project (CPP) from 1959 to 1966 were used for this study. CPP records were linked to the National Death Index and the Social Security Death Master File to identify deaths and underlying cause (until 2016). Pregnancy loss comprised self-reported losses, including abortions, stillbirths, and ectopic pregnancies. Among 48,188 women (46.0% White, 45.8% Black, 8.2% other race/ethnicity), 25.6% reported at least 1 pregnancy loss and 39% died. Pregnancy loss was associated with a higher absolute risk of all-cause mortality (risk difference, 4.0 per 100 women, 95% confidence interval: 1.4, 6.5) and cardiovascular mortality (risk difference, 2.2 per 100 women, 95% confidence interval: 0.8, 3.5). Stratified by race/ethnicity, a higher risk of mortality persisted in White, but not Black, women. Women with recurrent losses are at increased risk of death, both overall and across all race/ethnicity groups. Pregnancy loss is associated with death; however, it does not confer an excess risk above the observed baseline risk in Black women. These findings support the need to assess reproductive history as part of routine screening in women.

Short- and long-term outcome after surgical aortic valve replacement in patients on dialysis.

BackgroundThere is no consensus on the choice of aortic valve prosthesis for patients with end-stage renal failure. We analyzed short- and long-term complications in dialysis patients who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) with either a biological (bAVR) or a mechanical (mAVR) prosthesis.MethodsAll patients on dialysis who underwent bAVR or mAVR in Sweden from 1995 to 2017 (n=335) were included in a nationwide, population-based, observational, cohort study. Short and long-term complications were compared. Long-term mortality was compared with multivariable Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities, and a propensity score-matched model. Median follow-up was 2.8 (range, 0–16) years.ResultsBiological and mechanical valves were implanted in 253 (75.5%) and 82 (24.5%) patients, respectively. The bAVR patients were older and had more comorbidities. There was no significant difference in early complication rate. Thirty-day mortality was 9.1% in bAVR and 7.3% in mAVR patients (P=0.62). The multivariable Cox regression model did not show significant difference in mortality risk between bAVR and mAVR patients [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.33; 95% CI: 0.84–2.13; P=0.22]. The results were confirmed in the propensity-score matched model. The rate of aortic valve reoperations did not differ significantly between the bAVR and mAVR group.ConclusionsThe short- and long-term complication rate is high, and the expected life expectancy limited, in dialysis patients undergoing AVR, without significant difference between biological and mechanical prostheses. The results suggest that biological valve prosthesis, avoiding systemic anticoagulation, is appropriate in most dialysis patients.

Abstract 152: Alarmingly Higher Risk Of Stroke Hospitalizations With Reduced Inpatient Mortality In Young Females (18-44 Years) And Associated Racial Disparities: A Nationwide Analysis 10-years Apart

Background: Underrepresentation of females in clinical trials and paucity of data on young-onset stroke incited us to review two national cohorts a decade apart to assess the frequency and odds of stroke admissions and inpatient mortality and associated racial disparities in young females. Methods: We queried weighted data from the National Inpatient Sample (2017 &amp; 2007) to identify stroke admissions in young females (18-44 years). Stroke admissions and mortality rates among young females were compared between different race groups for 2017 vs. 2007. Multivariable regression was performed to determine the difference in risk of stroke admissions and inpatient mortality with associated racial distinctions between 2017 &amp; 2007. Results: Young women's stroke admissions from 2017 and 2007 increased from 0.3% (n=20009/7,746,732) in 2007 to 0.5% (n=28885/6,268,570) in 2017 (p&lt;0.001). Adjusted analysis for covariates showed nearly 50% increased risk of stroke admissions in young women in 2017 vs 2007 (aOR:1.48; 95%CI:1.44-1.51, p&lt;0.001). Comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, vascular disease, obesity, smoking, atrial fibrillation were more prevalent in 2017 vs 2007 (p&lt;0.001). Notwithstanding the increased admissions, inpatient mortality risk decreased by 35% in 2017 (aOR:0.65; 95%CI:0.60-0.71, p&lt;0.001). Assessing racial disparities in young women, we found that white and Native Americans demonstrated the highest increase in stroke admissions, whereas Hispanic and Asian-Pacific Islanders did not show an improvement in survival odds in 2017 vs. 2007 [Figure 1] . Conclusion: The risk of stroke admissions among young women increased nearly 50% in 2017 vs. 2007 with all races showing a rise in hospitalizations. Reassuringly, advanced therapeutics helped with the overall reduction of inpatient mortality; however, persistent racial disparities in survival odds warrant a more inclusive approach for primary preventive strides and healthcare delivery.