Higher Risk Of Premature Death Research Articles

Gender differences and occupational factors for the risk of obesity in the Italian working population

BackgroundObesity is a multifactorial condition and a major risk factor associated with several non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, and with a higher risk of premature death and disability. Sex-specific factors have key roles and must be taken into consideration in studying occupational factors associated with the risk of obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate gender differences in body mass index (BMI) in a large cohort representative of Italian workers and, correlating this index with several demographic and occupational variables, to verify sex- and work-dependent differences in the risk of obesity.MethodsWe utilized data from INSuLa, a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of the Italian worker population conducted in 2013 by the Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority to investigate health and safety at work. Analyses were run on a sample of 8000 Italian workers, aged from 16 to 64 years. Logistic regression models were employed to assess gender differences in the relation between occupational characteristics and BMI. We adjusted for age, education, variables related to health protection at work, and chronic conditions and diseases.ResultsThere were several significant differences in the BMI between males and females, linked to some occupational factors. For instance, female shift workers were 1.32 times (95% CI 1.11–1.57) more likely to be overweight or obese than normal-weight workers, and this association was maintained when controlling for confounders. The likelihood of overweight or obesity among women who worked 1–2 night shifts per week was significantly higher – 1.5-1.6 times – than those on day shifts.ConclusionsGender-specific differences in occupational factors associated with the risk of obesity are useful with a view to characterizing this risk and helping identify workplace-targeted intervention strategies.

Healthcare and Resource Use in Patients With Stable High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T Levels

Patients with elevated but stable levels of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) have a high risk of premature death and cardiovascular events. This study aimed to investigate the association between stable hs-cTnT levels and healthcare and resource use in patients with chest pain in the emergency department (ED). We included all patients who presented with chest pain and stable hs-cTnT levels without any concurrent acute medical condition at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, from 2011 to 2014. A negative binomial regression model was used to calculate incidence rates and incidence rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the number of hospital visits, hospital days, and investigations performed during follow-up, in different categories of hs-cTnT levels (reference: hs-cTnT <5 ng/l). A total of 19,437 patients were included. During a follow-up of 4.1 years, 36,617 hospital visits and 206,808 hospital days were observed. Yearly rates of hospital visits and days gradually rose with increasing hs-cTnT levels from 0.3 and 1.27 (<5 ng/l) to 1.7 and 13 (≥50 ng/l) per person. In patients with hs-cTnT levels >14 ng/l, adjusted risks of in-hospital days were more than doubled (adjusted incidence rate ratio (95% CI) 2.31 (2.14 to 2.50), 2.88 (2.55 to 3.26), and 2.89 (2.45 to 3.40) in patients with hs-cTnT levels of 15 to 29, 30 to 49, and ≥50 ng/l, respectively) compared with the reference. Computed tomography, but not coronary angiography, increased with increasing hs-cTnT levels. In conclusion, stable hs-cTnT levels are associated with a higher rate of hospitalization, length of hospital stay, and resource use in patients with chest pain.

Point-of-Care Bone Age Evaluation: The Increasing Role of US in Resource-limited Populations

Point-of-Care Bone Age Evaluation: The Increasing Role of US in Resource-limited Populations

The Association between Hypertension and Race/Ethnicity among Breast Cancer Survivors.

Hypertension is a significant, modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). African American women who are diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer have a significantly higher risk of premature death due to CVD. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between hypertension and race/ethnicity among breast cancer survivors using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1999-2014. Non-Hispanic African American and non-Hispanic White women who were diagnosed with breast cancer were identified. Hypertension was defined as taking medication to treat hypertension, having a systolic blood pressure ≥ 140, or a diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90. Modified Poisson regression was performed to estimate the prevalence ratios (PR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for race/ethnicity, as it relates to hypertension controlling for potential confounders. Of the 524 breast cancer survivors included in our study, 107 (20.4%) were African American and 417 (80.0%) were White. After adjusting for age, marital status, education, annual household income, health insurance, smoking and drinking status, physical inactivity, obesity, and diabetes, African American breast cancer survivors had a 30% higher prevalence of hypertension (PR = 1.30 [95% CI, 1.11-1.52]) than White breast cancer survivors. These results indicate that African American breast cancer survivors have a significantly higher risk of CVD due to hypertension even after controlling for other comorbid conditions such as diabetes and obesity.

Factors associated with resistance to complications in long-standing type 1 diabetes in China.

ObjectiveType 1 diabetes (T1DM) is associated with a higher risk of premature death, but there are factors in certain patients with T1DM that protect them from complications and premature death. These factors had not been identified in non-Caucasian populations, so we aimed to identify factors that protect against the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in long-standing T1DM in China.MethodsNinety-five T1DM patients with >30 years’ duration of diabetes were enrolled in this nationwide study. Differences between groups of patients with and without complications were compared, and multivariable regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between candidate protective factors and the development of DN or DR.ResultsThirty of the participants did not have DN and the same amount did not have DR. 6/52 of participants without DN were from a rural area, whereas 11/28 of participants with DN had been born in a rural area (P = 0.005). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was higher in participants with DN (135 ± 26 mmHg vs 121 ± 13 mmHg; P = 0.002). In participants without DR, 27/30 were married or cohabitating, and only 3/30 were single, never married, or widowed, but for those with proliferative DR (PDR), 13/26 had been married (P = 0.003). A rural or urban origin and SBP were associated with DN in the multivariable analysis.Conclusionwe have shown that higher socioeconomic status, indicated by birth in an urban area, and being married or cohabitating, are accompanied by better blood pressure control and a lower risk of microvascular complications in Chinese patients with long-standing T1DM. These findings illustrate the importance of improving care for patients with T1DM in China.

24-hour blood pressure profile analysis and comorbid pathology in postmenopausal female ­patients not receiving antihypertensive therapy

Aim. Assessment of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring data depending on the Charlson comorbidity index in postmenopause.&#x0D; Methods. A cross-sectional study included 129 outpatients who did not receive medical treatment for hypertension. Median age was 58.5 (54.062.0) years, postmenopause duration 9 (4.012.0) years. Investigation included medical history registration, physician examination by an internist, anthropometry with measurement of body mass, height with further body mass index calculation. Comorbid conditions were diagnosed according to current clinical guidelines. All females had ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure monitoring. Based on Charlson comorbidity index, the subjects were divided into groups with moderate comorbidity (Charlson index 2, group 1) and high comorbidity (Charlson index 2, group 2).&#x0D; Results. Females from group 2 were significantly older, had a longer duration of postmenopause and the severity of menopausal symptoms, higher body mass index values, functional limitations due to osteoarthritis, higher maximum and average 24-hour, average daily and average night systolic blood pressure levels as well as time index. No differences were revealed in the prevalence of females with night increase or absence of sufficient decrease of blood pressure at night. The absence of antihypertensive treatment in multimorbid postmenopausal females was associated with significant menopausal symptoms persistence.&#x0D; Conclusion. Blood pressure monitoring in multimorbid females can reveal higher average daily values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, higher variability during 24 hour of systolic blood pressure and greater index of time of systolic blood pressure, which can be considered as a cardiovascular disease progression predictor; uncontrolled hypertension and persistence of neurovegetative symptoms of menopausal syndrome may be the markers of a higher risk of premature death compared to the assessment by Charlson index score.

The Possible Role of Telomere Length and Chemokines in the Aging Process: A Transdiagnostic Review in Psychiatry

Background:Psychiatric disorders are common, reaching a worldwide prevalence of 29.2%. They are associated with a high risk of premature death and with accelerated aging in clinical, molecular and neuroimaging studies. Recently, there is strong evidence suggesting a possible role of telomere length and chemokines in aging processes in psychiatric disorders.Objective:We aimed to review the literature on telomere length and chemokines and its association with early aging in mental illnesses on a transdiagnostic approach.Results:The review highlights the association between psychiatric disorders and early aging. Several independent studies have reported shorter telomere length and dysregulations on levels of circulating chemokines in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorders, suggesting a complex interaction between these markers in a transdiagnostic level. However, studies have investigated the inflammatory markers and telomere shortening separately and associated with a particular diagnosis, rather than as a transdiagnostic biological feature.Conclusion:There is consistent evidence supporting the relationship between accelerated aging, telomere length, and chemokines in mental disorders, but they have been studied individually. Thus, more research is needed to improve the knowledge of accelerated senescence and its biomarkers in psychiatry, not only individually in each diagnosis, but also based on a transdiagnostic perspective. Moreover, further research should try to elucidate how the intricate association between the chemokines and telomeres together may contribute to the aging process in psychiatric disorders.

Mortality after bariatric surgery: findings from a 7-year multicenter cohort study

BackgroundPatients having bariatric surgery have lower mortality compared with those with similar body mass index who do not undergo surgery. It is unclear whether mortality post–bariatric surgery is similar to the general population. The benefit of bariatric surgery would be highlighted should people previously at high risk for premature death have comparable, or better, mortality as the general population. ObjectiveTo compare mortality after bariatric surgery to the general U.S. population of the same age, sex, and race. SettingThe Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-2 (LABS-2) prospective cohort of 2458 adults who underwent bariatric surgery at 10 U.S. hospitals between 2006 and 2009. MethodsDeaths were identified via LABS-2 follow-up and the National Death Index. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) of post–bariatric surgery mortality observed in LABS-2 versus age-, sex-, race-, and year-adjusted expected mortality in the general U.S. population were calculated and compared with 1, which results when the number of observed and expected deaths are equal. ResultsLABS-2 median follow-up was 6.6 (interquartile range: 5.9–7.0) years postsurgery. Seventy-six deaths were observed over 15,616 person-years (PY) of observation (4.9 deaths/1000 PY). The rate expected in the general U.S. population with the same age, sex, race, and year distribution was 4.8 deaths per 1000 PY (SMR = 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .80–1.27). There were no significant differences between observed and expected mortality by surgical procedure. Compared with expected mortality in the general U.S. population, people 35–44 years old at time of surgery had significantly more deaths (SMR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.22–3.25), while people at least 55 years of age had significantly fewer (SMR = .63, 95% CI: .42–.92). Significantly more deaths than expected occurred in the perioperative period and 5–7 years after surgery. ConclusionsMortality within 7 years of bariatric surgery is comparable to the general U.S. population, which is likely to have better survival than people with severe obesity. However, more deaths than expected were identified 5–7 years after surgery.

The joint effect of unemployment and cynical hostility on all-cause mortality: results from a prospective cohort study

BackgroundIt is hypothesised that hostility accentuates the association between stressful conditions and health. This study aims to test this hypothesis by analysing the joint effect of unemployment and hostility on all-cause mortality among men and women.MethodsThe population was 3677 men and 4138 women from the Danish workforce who participated in a survey in 2000. The joint exposure variable was defined as 1) employed, not hostile, 2) unemployed, not hostile, 3) hostile and employed, 4) unemployed and hostile. Outcome was defined as all-cause mortality between 2000 and 2014. Data was analysed with Cox proportional hazards models with age as the underlying time scale. The interaction between unemployment and hostility was studied using the synergy index.ResultsCompared to employed non-hostile men, men who were both hostile and unemployed were at markedly higher risk of premature death with a hazard ratio (HR) of 3.19 (95% CI 2.22–4.69). A similar picture was found for hostile and unemployed women, with a HR of 1.97 (95% CI 1.24–3.12). However, the mortality in men and women exposed to both did not exceed what was expected from the combination of their individual effects. Hence, we did not find that hostility enhances the association between unemployment and all-cause mortality.ConclusionMen and women exposed to both unemployment and hostility were at markedly high risk of premature mortality. However, this study did not support the hypothesis that the deleterious health effect of the combination of unemployment and hostility exceeds their individual effects.

Necessity of Developing Psychological Interventions in the Management of Type II Diabetes and its Barriers: A Qualitative Study from the Perspective of Iranian Health Policymakers

Background: Diabetes mellitus is known as one of the health emergencies of the 21st century. This disorder is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, stroke, diabetic nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, and pregnancy complications, as well as lower quality of life, high economic burden, and high risk of premature death. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the necessity of and barriers to developing psychological interventions to treat, improve, and manage type II diabetes from the perspective of health policymakers in Iran. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted on 11 policymakers of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran within 2016-2019. The data were collected using semi-structured and in-depth interviews and then analyzed by content analysis. Results: The main themes related to the necessity of developing psychological interventions included impact on the quality of life, disease management, cost-effectiveness, and complications of diabetes. Conclusion: The current study was conducted on senior health policymakers in the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran. Accordingly, our findings can be used in decision making and the development, implementation, and evaluation of psychological intervention programs for type II diabetic patients in Iran

Late Mortality after Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation in Childhood for Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes and Severe Aplastic Anemia

Children with bone marrow failure syndromes and severe aplastic anemia (SAA) are treated with allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation (BMT). However, there is a paucity of studies examining late mortality risk after allogeneic BMT performed in childhood for bone marrow failure syndromes and SAA and evaluating how this risk differs between these diseases. We investigated cause-specific late mortality in 2-year survivors of allogeneic BMT for bone marrow failure syndromes and SAA performed before age 22years between 1974 and 2010 at 2 US transplantation centers. Vital status information was collected from medical records, the National Death Index, and Accurint databases. Overall survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier techniques. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated using age- sex-, and calendar-specific mortality rates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among the 2-year survivors of bone marrow failure syndromes (n = 120) and SAA (n = 147), there were 15 and 19 deaths, respectively, yielding an overall survival of 86.4% for bone marrow failure syndromes and 93.1% for SAA at 15years post-BMT. Compared with the general population, patients with bone marrow failure syndromes were at a higher risk for premature death (SMR, 22.7; 95% CI, 13.1 to 36.2) compared with those with SAA (SMR, 4.5; 95% CI, 2.8 to 7.0) (P < .0001). The elevated relative risk persisted at ≥15years after BMT for both diseases. The hazard of all-cause late mortality was 2.9-fold (95% CI, 1.1 to 7.3) higher in patients with bone marrow failure syndromes compared with those with SAA. The high late mortality risk in recipients of allogeneic BMT in childhood for bone marrow failure syndromes calls for intensified life-long follow-up.

Effects of a novel peptide Ac-SDKP in radiation-induced coronary endothelial damage and resting myocardial blood flow

BackgroundCancer survivors treated with thoracic ionizing radiation are at higher risk of premature death due to myocardial ischemia. No therapy is currently available to prevent or mitigate these effects. We tested the hypothesis that an endogenous tetrapeptide N-acetyl-Ser-Asp-Lys-Pro (Ac-SDKP) counteracts radiation-induced coronary vascular fibrosis and endothelial cell loss and preserves myocardial blood flow.MethodsWe examined a rat model with external-beam-radiation exposure to the cardiac silhouette. We treated a subgroup of irradiated rats with subcutaneous Ac-SDKP for 18-weeks. We performed cardiac MRI with Gadolinium contrast to examine resting myocardial blood flow content. Upon sacrifice, we examined coronary endothelial-cell-density, fibrosis, apoptosis and endothelial tight-junction proteins (TJP). In vitro, we examined Ac-SDKP uptake by the endothelial cells and tested its effects on radiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In vivo, we injected labeled Ac-SDKP intravenously and examined its endothelial localization after 4-h.ResultsWe found that radiation exposure led to reduced resting myocardial blood flow content. There was concomitant endothelial cell loss and coronary fibrosis. Smaller vessels and capillaries showed more severe changes than larger vessels. Real-time PCR and confocal microscopy showed radiation-induced loss of TJ proteins including- claudin-1 and junctional adhesion molecule-2 (JAM-2). Ac-SDKP normalized myocardial blood flow content, inhibited endothelial cell loss, reduced coronary fibrosis and restored TJ-assembly. In vitro, Ac-SDKP localized to endothelial cells and inhibited radiation-induced endothelial ROS generation. In vivo, labeled Ac-SDKP was visualized into the endothelium 4-h after the intravenous injection.ConclusionsWe concluded that Ac-SDKP has protective effects against radiation-induced reduction of myocardial blood flow. Such protective effects are likely mediated by neutralization of ROS-mediated injury, preservation of endothelial integrity and inhibition of fibrosis. This demonstrates a strong therapeutic potential of Ac-SDKP to counteract radiotherapy-induced coronary disease.

Vessel stiffness, calcification and osteoporosis. Common pathogenetic components

Atherosclerosis and osteoporosis until recently were regarded as the diseases of modern society, and their simultaneous development was explained just by the increased chances with longevity. Currently, there are studies showing evidence on these diseases in ancient populations, regardless the age and gender. The diseases found in younger age, with the early Egyptian civilization, witness on the common genetic and behavioral risk factors and pathogenetic components, than simple age-related chance. Scientific publications show more and more data on common properties of these diseases and pathogenetic mechanisms. High risk of premature death from atherosclerosis and osteoporosis complications facilitates the search for individual and general predictors of the disorders with the aim of on-time prevention. Treatment of atherosclerosis and osteoporosis presentation events in one patient demands for a range of medications that leads to polypragmasia. The review is focused on common mechanisms of vascular stiffness development, calcification and bone density decrease. Profound understanding might make it to open novel targets for one drug to both diseases, with decreased rate of complications.

Epilepsy in Asia: Disease burden, management barriers, and challenges.

This article reviews the burden of epilepsy in Asia, the challenges faced by people with epilepsy, and the management of epilepsy. Comparison is made with other parts of the world. For this narrative review, data were collected using specified search criteria. Articles investigating the epidemiology of epilepsy, diagnosis, comorbidities and associated mortality, stigmatization, and treatment were included. Epilepsy is a global health care issue affecting up to 70 million people worldwide. Nearly 80% of people with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income countries with limited resources. People with epilepsy are prone to physical and psychological comorbidities, including anxiety and depression, which can negatively impact their quality of life. Furthermore, people with epilepsy are at higher risk of premature death than people without epilepsy. Discrimination or stigmatization of people with epilepsy is common in Asia and can affect their education, work, and marriage opportunities. Access to epilepsy treatment varies throughout Asia. Although highly advanced treatment is available in some countries, up to 90% of people with epilepsy are not adequately treated or are not treated with conventional antiepileptic therapy in resource-limited countries. People in remote areas often do not receive any epilepsy care. First-generation antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are available, but usually only in urban areas, and second-generation AEDs are not available in all countries. Newer AEDs tend to have more favorable safety profiles than first-generation AEDs and provide options to tailor therapy for individual patients, especially those with comorbidities. Active epilepsy surgery centers are present in some countries, although epilepsy surgery is often underutilized given the number of patients who could benefit. Further epidemiologic research is needed to provide accurate epilepsy data across the Asian region. Coordinated action is warranted to improve access to treatment and care.

Effects of medication-assisted treatment on mortality among opioids users: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is associated with a high risk of premature death. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the primary treatment for opioid dependence. We comprehensively assessed the effects of different MAT-related characteristics on mortality among those with OUD by a systematic review and meta-analysis. The all-cause and overdose crude mortality rates (CMRs) and relative risks (RRs) by treatment status, different type, period, and dose of medication, and retention time were pooled using random effects, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression. Thirty cohort studies involving 370,611 participants (1,378,815 person-years) were eligible in the meta-analysis. From 21 studies, the pooled all-cause CMRs were 0.92 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 0.79-1.04) while receiving MAT, 1.69 (1.47-1.91) after cessation, and 4.89 (3.54-6.23) for untreated period. Based on 16 studies, the pooled overdose CMRs were 0.24 (0.20-0.28) while receiving MAT, 0.68 (0.55-0.80) after cessation of MAT, and 2.43 (1.72-3.15) for untreated period. Compared with patients receiving MAT, untreated participants had higher risk of all-cause mortality (RR 2.56 [95% CI: 1.72-3.80]) and overdose mortality (8.10 [4.48-14.66]), and discharged participants had higher risk of all-cause death (2.33 [2.02-2.67]) and overdose death (3.09 [2.37-4.01]). The all-cause CMRs during and after opioid substitution treatment with methadone or buprenorphine were 0.93 (0.76-1.10) and 1.79 (1.47-2.10), and corresponding estimate for antagonist naltrexone treatment were 0.26 (0-0.59) and 1.97 (0-5.18), respectively. Retention in MAT of over 1-year was associated with a lower mortality rate than that with retention ≤1 year (1.62, 1.31-1.93 vs. 5.31, -0.09-10.71). Improved coverage and adherence to MAT and post-treatment follow-up are crucial to reduce the mortality. Long-acting naltrexone showed positive advantage on prevention of premature death among persons with OUD.

A novel principled method for the measurement of vascular robustness uncovers hidden risk for premature CVD death.

The detection of high risk for premature death of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among individuals with low-to-moderate risk factor scores is a major challenge. Systems biology suggests that the vasculature's functional robustness against risk factor challenges may serve as a novel discriminator of mortality risk under similar risk factor loads. However, principled methods to measure vascular robustness are not available. To develop a score for the vasculature's functional robustness we used a recently presented method that applies computational physiological modeling to the quantitation of vascular function. We hypothesized that the expected inverse robustness-mortality association is verifiable as a significant robustness-calendar age trend in a cross-sectional investigation of a population cohort of risk factor-challenged individuals. Using only functional parameters of the cardiovascular system we applied multivariate linear regression to derive from our study population of 372 adults gender-specific multivariate robustness scoring algorithms. For any individual, the deviation of his/her robustness score from the value of the regression function characterizes the deviation of the individual's fatal CVD event probability from its age-appropriate fatal CVD event probability. Robustness correlated linearly with calendar age in our risk factor-challenged but not in our unchallenged cohorts. This observation supports the hypothesis of preferential elimination of less robust individuals along the aging trajectory under risk factor challenges. We conclude that physiologically principled scoring for vascular robustness may serve as a biomarker of vulnerability to CVD risk factor challenges, prognosticating otherwise undetectable elevated risk for premature CVD mortality. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We developed a principled method for the derivation of a vascular robustness score that we translated into a correction factor for calendar age. We demonstrated the score's potential to uncover risk for premature cardiovascular death in apparently healthy young adults whose risk elevation remains hidden in conventional risk factor models.

Assessing the degree of residual confounding: a cohort study on the association between disability pension and mortality.

Previous studies showed that disability pensioners have a higher risk of premature death than others, but residual confounding has been suggested. The aim was to assess the degree of residual confounding of the association between disability pension (DP) and risk of premature death. Prospective cohort study of everyone aged 19-64 years, living in Sweden 31 December 2004 (n = 5 406 469), followed up through 2010. Mortality hazard rates over time were estimated for three groups; incident disability pensioners during 2005 from start of DP (February-December 2005), prevalent disability pensioners (January 2005 or since before), and individuals not on DP in January 2005, after standardizing populations to characteristics of the incident disability pensioners, stratified by previous hospitalization or not. If DP has no immediate effect on mortality, incident disability pensioners and those not on DP should initially have similar hazard rates, thereby, allowing assessment of the degree of residual confounding. For those not previously hospitalized, the mortality hazard rate on the first DP day was: 3.07 (95% CI 2.21, 4.36), 2.09 (1.78, 2.48) and 0.78 (0.73, 0.84) per thousand person-years for incident, prevalent, and non DP, respectively. Among previously hospitalized these figures were: 21.67 (17.73, 26.24), 17.00 (15.76, 18.51) and 18.88 (18.14, 19.64) respectively. Hazard ratios were 1.15 (0.94, 1.40) in the strata with and 3.94 (2.78, 5.57) in the strata without, previous hospitalization comparing incident DP with non-DP. Substantial residual confounding was found in the association between DP and premature death among those not previously hospitalized.

Vascular robustness: The missing parameter in cardiovascular risk prediction.

Undetected high risk for premature death of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among individuals with low-to-moderate risk factor scores is an acknowledged obstacle to CVD prevention. The vasculature's functional robustness against risk factor derailment may serve as a novel discriminator of mortality risk under similar risk factor loads. To test this assumption, we hypothesized that the expected inverse robustness-mortality association is verifiable as a significant trend along the age spectrum of risk factor-challenged cohorts.This is a retrospective cohort study of 372 adults (mean age 56.1 years, range 21–92; 45% female) with a variety of CV risk factors.An arterial model (VascAssist 2, iSYMED GmbH, Germany) was used to derive global parameters of arterial function from non-invasively acquired pulse pressure waves. Participants were stratified by health status: apparently healthy (AH; n = 221); with hypertension and/or hypercholesterolemia (CC; n = 61); with history of CV event(s) (CVE; n = 90). Multivariate linear regression was used to derive a robustness score which was calibrated against the CVD mortality hazard rate of a sub-cohort of the LURIC study (n = 1369; mean age 59.1 years, range 20–75; 37% female).Robustness correlated linearly with calendar age in CC (F(1, 59) = 10.42; p < 0.01) and CVE (F(1, 88) = 40.34; p < 0.0001) but not in the AH strata, supporting the hypothesis of preferential elimination of less robust individuals along the aging trajectory under risk factor challenges.Vascular robustness may serve as a biomarker of vulnerability to CVD risk factor challenges, prognosticating otherwise undetectable elevated risk for premature CVD mortality.

The cardiovascular robustness hypothesis: Unmasking young adults' hidden risk for premature cardiovascular death

An undetected high risk for premature death of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among individuals with low-to-moderate risk factor levels is an acknowledged obstacle to CVD prevention.In this paper, we present the hypothesis that the vasculature's robustness against risk factor load will complement conventional risk factor models as a novel stratifier of risk. Figuratively speaking, mortality risk prediction without robustness scoring is akin to predicting the breaking risk of a lake's ice sheet considering load only while disregarding the sheet's bearing strength.Taking the cue from systems biology, which defines robustness as the ability to maintain function against internal and external challenges, we develop a robustness score from the physical parameters that comprehensively quantitate cardiovascular function. We derive the functional parameters using a recently introduced novel system, VascAssist 2 (iSYMED GmbH, Butzbach, Germany). VascAssist 2 (VA) applies the electronic-hydraulic analogy to a digital model of the arterial tree, replicating non-invasively acquired pule pressure waves by modulating the electronic equivalents of the physical parameters that describe in vivo arterial hemodynamics.As the latter is also subject to aging-associated degeneration which (a) progresses at inter-individually different rates, and which (b) affects the biomarker-mortality association, we express the robustness score as a correction factor to calendar age (CA), the dominant risk factor in all CVD risk factor models. We then propose a method for the validation of the score against known time-to-event data in reference populations.Our conceptualization of robustness implies that risk factor-challenged individuals with low robustness scores will face preferential elimination from the population resulting in a significant robustness-CA correlation in this strata absent in the unchallenged stratum. Hence, we also present an outline of a cross-sectional study design suitable to test this hypothesis. We finally discuss the objections that may validly be raised against our robustness hypothesis, and how available evidence encourages us to refute these objections.

Progenitor Endothelial Cells in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) is common cardio-pulmonary phenomenon associated with higher risk of premature death and disability. Several previous studies have shown that decreased number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) correlated well with vascular remodeling and impaired pulmonary artery function. Moreover, a deep deficiency of EPC characterized a poor clinical outcomes in PAH individuals. There is large body of evidence regarding that the EPCs could be not just biomarker of endothelial dysfunction, but a target of PAH therapy. However, improvement of PAH severity associated with increasing number of circulating EPC with angiopoetic phenotype accompanying sildenafil care. The short communication is depicted the predictive role of EPCs in risk stratification in PAH patients and possibilities to use EPC-based care aimed improving clinical outcomes.