Management Of Cardiometabolic Risk Research Articles

An Australian Community-Based Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Care Pathway for People with Type 2 Diabetes: Barriers and Considerations.

Although clinical guidelines endorse screening for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) with advanced fibrosis in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D), the feasibility of and barriers and considerations relevant to implementing this approach in the community remain unclear. Sequential adults with T2D attending selected community clinics during 2021-2023 were invited to receive a "liver health check" (n=543). A further 95 participants were referred directly from their general practitioner (GP) or self-referred to the study. A total of 302 participants underwent a point of care assessment of hepatic steatosis and stiffness (FibroScan) and were advised to see their GP to discuss the results. "Template" letters containing key results, their interpretation and advice about management of cardiometabolic risk, patient follow-up and referral criteria, were sent to participants' GPs. Referral to a tertiary liver clinic was advised in GP letters for 45 (15%) participants with an increased risk of clinically significant fibrosis (liver stiffness measurement ≥8), 15 participants with 'red flags' (eg splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia) and 2 with unsuccessful FibroScan examinations. A referral from GPs to the liver clinic was received for 27 (44%) of these 62 participants. Approximately 90% of GPs rated the "template" letters favourably on a Likert rating scale. The low rate of participation in the "liver health check" and liver clinic referral reflects a real-world scenario and may stem from societal under-recognition and engagement with MASLD, competing health priorities or under-appreciation of the link between liver fibrosis severity and mortality risk. Further studies need to address strategies to enhance participation in liver health assessments and determine their impact on liver-related morbidity/mortality and overall survival.

Psychosis metabolic risk calculator (PsyMetRiC) in early psychosis: External validation study in Finland.

Accurate detection of cardiometabolic risk in early psychosis is crucial to reducing somatic morbidity and mortality in people with psychotic disorders. We conducted an external validation of the psychosis metabolic risk calculator (PsyMetRiC), a cardiometabolic risk prediction tool developed in the UK and tailored for young people with psychosis. We compared the predictive accuracy and clinical usefulness of PsyMetRiC and a general population-based risk prediction tool for type 2 diabetes, the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC). We included first-episode psychosis and ultra-high-risk for psychosis patients without metabolic syndrome aged 18-35 years from the Helsinki Early Psychosis and Turku Early Psychosis Study cohorts. We tested two versions of PsyMetRiC: the full model including age, sex, ethnicity, body-mass index, smoking status, prescription of metabolically-active antipsychotic medication, high-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride concentrations, and the partial-model excluding biochemical predictors, and the simplified FINDRISC including BMI, sex, systolic blood pressure, and fasting glucose. Discrimination, calibration, and decision curve analyses were used to assess the predictive performance and clinical usefulness of both PsyMetRiC and FINDRISC. We performed a site-specific re-calibration of PsyMetRiC (PsyMetRiC-Fi). The study sample consisted of 278 individuals (all White European ethnicity, 58.6% male, mean age 24.8 years, 37.8% smoking, mean BMI 23.5). Discrimination was marginally better in the PsyMetRiC full model (C = 0.72, 95% CI, 0.59-0.82) compared with partial model (C = 0.70, 95% CI 0.59-0.80) or FINDRISC (C = 0.63, 95% CI 0.54-0.71). Calibration plots displayed evidence of minor miscalibration for PsyMetRiC, which corrected following recalibration. Miscalibration was more pronounced for FINDRISC. Decision curve analysis showed that PsyMetRiC offers likely clinical usefulness in improving cardiometabolic risk management in early psychosis compared with giving everyone or no one an intervention. PsyMetRiC has utility in predicting cardiometabolic risk in Finnish patients with early psychosis. It has better discriminatory accuracy and offers more accurate risk prediction compared to other available strategies.

Adipose Dysfunction Indices as a Key to Cardiometabolic Risk Assessment-A Population-Based Study of Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients.

Anthropometric indices, such as the BMI (body mass index), WC (waist circumference), and WHR (waist-hip ratio) are commonly used for cardiometabolic risk assessment. Consequently, in the context of evaluating cardiometabolic risk in the post-MI population, it is worthwhile to consider indices such as the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) and Body Adiposity Index (BAI), which have emerged as valuable risk assessment tools in clinical trials. The aim of this study was to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the importance of anthropometric indices and body composition analysis in evaluating the cardiometabolic risk among post-myocardial infarction patients. In the pursuit of this objective, this study involved assessing the BMI, WC, WHR, WHtR, VAI, BAI, and body composition in a population of patients. This study enrolled a total of 120 patients hospitalised at the Silesian Centre for Heart Diseases (SCCS) due to MI, and body composition analysis evaluated various parameters including the percentage of adipose tissue (FatP) [%], total adipose tissue (FatM) [kg], fat-free mass (FFM) [kg], muscle mass (PMM) [kg], total body water (TBW) [kg], and visceral adipose tissue (VFAT). The mean BMI for the entire group was 27.76 ± 4.08, with women exhibiting a significantly lower value compared with men (26.66 ± 3.33 vs. 28.16 ± 4.27). The mean values obtained for the WHR, WHtR, BAI, and VAI were 0.97 ± 0.08, 0.59 ± 0.07, 28.37 ± 5.03, and 3.08 ± 3.50, respectively. Based on the visceral adiposity index (VAI), in 47.5% patients, there was no adipose tissue dysfunction, with a higher proportion among women (71.88%) compared with men (38.64%). What raises concern is that 32.50% of patients had acute ATD, with a significantly higher prevalence among men (38.64%) compared with women (15.63%). Conclusion: The study results suggest that the BMI, WC, and WHR have their limitations, whereas the WHtR, VAI, and BAI provide a more comprehensive view of cardiometabolic risk, especially in the context of adipose tissue distribution and its metabolic consequences. Incorporating the WHtR, VAI, and BAI into routine clinical practice may enhance the management of cardiometabolic risk, especially among post-MI patients.

Shared and unique characteristics of metabolic syndrome in psychotic disorders: a review.

People with psychosis spectrum disorders (PSD) face an elevated risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), which may reduce their life expectancy by nearly 20%. Pinpointing the shared and specific characteristics and clinical implications of MetS in PSD is crucial for designing interventions to reduce this risk, but an up-to-date review on MetS across the psychosis spectrum is lacking. This narrative review fills this gap by examining the clinical literature on characteristics and implications of MetS in both distinct PSD and transdiagnostically, i.e., across traditional categorical diagnoses, with a focus on psychiatric and cardio-metabolic management. We discuss common and specific characteristics of MetS in PSD, as well as factors contributing to MetS development in PSD patients, including unhealthy lifestyle factors, genetic predisposition, pro-inflammatory state, drugs consumption, antipsychotic medication, and psychotic symptoms. We highlight the importance of early identification and management of cardio-metabolic risk in PSD patients, as well as the existing gaps in the literature, for instance in the screening for MetS in younger PSD patients. We compare hypotheses-generating clinical associations and characteristics of MetS in different PSD, concluding by reviewing the existing recommendations and challenges in screening, monitoring, and managing MetS in PSD. Early identification and management of MetS are crucial to mitigate the long-term cardio-metabolic toll in PSD patients. Interventions should focus on healthy lifestyle and appropriate pharmacological and behavioral interventions. Further translational and clinical research is needed to develop targeted interventions and personalized treatment approaches for this vulnerable population, aiming at improving physical health and overall well-being.

Prediabetes and Cardiometabolic Risk: The Need for Improved Diagnostic Strategies and Treatment to Prevent Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease.

The progression from prediabetes to type-2 diabetes depends on multiple pathophysiological, clinical, and epidemiological factors that generally overlap. Both insulin resistance and decreased insulin secretion are considered to be the main causes. The diagnosis and approach to the prediabetic patient are heterogeneous. There is no agreement on the diagnostic criteria to identify prediabetic subjects or the approach to those with insufficient responses to treatment, with respect to regression to normal glycemic values or the prevention of complications. The stratification of prediabetic patients, considering the indicators of impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or HbA1c, can help to identify the sub-phenotypes of subjects at risk for T2DM. However, considering other associated risk factors, such as impaired lipid profiles, or risk scores, such as the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score, may improve classification. Nevertheless, we still do not have enough information regarding cardiovascular risk reduction. The sub-phenotyping of subjects with prediabetes may provide an opportunity to improve the screening and management of cardiometabolic risk in subjects with prediabetes.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and the heart.

The prevalence and severity of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are increasing. Physicians who treat patients with MASLD may acknowledge the strong coincidence with cardiometabolic disease, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (asCVD). This raises questions on co-occurrence, causality, and the need for screening and multidisciplinary care for MASLD in patients with asCVD, and vice versa. Here, we review the interrelations of MASLD and heart disease and formulate answers to these matters. Epidemiological studies scoring proxies for atherosclerosis and actual cardiovascular events indicate increased atherosclerosis in patients with MASLD, yet no increased risk of asCVD mortality. MASLD and asCVD share common drivers: obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), smoking, hypertension, and sleep apnea syndrome. In addition, Mendelian randomization studies support that MASLD may cause atherosclerosis through mixed hyperlipidemia, while such evidence is lacking for liver-derived procoagulant factors. In the more advanced fibrotic stages, MASLD may contribute to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction by reduced filling of the right ventricle, which may induce fatigue upon exertion, often mentioned by patients with MASLD. Some evidence points to an association between MASLD and cardiac arrhythmias. Regarding treatment and given the strong co-occurrence of MASLD and asCVD, pharmacotherapy in development for advanced stages of MASLD would ideally also reduce cardiovascular events, as has been demonstrated for T2DM treatments. Given the common drivers, potential causal factors and especially given the increased rate of cardiovascular events, comprehensive cardiometabolic risk management is warranted in patients with MASLD, preferably in a multidisciplinary approach.

The effect of thiazolidinediones on body fat redistribution in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Visceral adiposity is a strong predictor of cardiometabolic risk. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are associated with a shift in fat redistribution from visceral adipose tissue (VAT) to subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). We aimed to compare the effects of TZD and other interventions on fat remodeling in adults in randomized controlled trials. Among the 1331 retrieved studies, 39 trials with 1765 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The standardized mean difference in VAT change was not significantly different between TZD and comparators across the overall studies. Intriguingly, TZD treatment resulted in significant decreases in VAT compared with placebo and sulfonylureas (p < 0.05), although recombinant human growth hormone was superior to TZD regarding VAT reduction (p < 0.05). Data from 216 participants showed TZD leading to a greater reduction in liver fat percentage than comparators (p < 0.05). Compared with the controls, TZD significantly increased SAT, total body fat, weight, waist circumference, and body mass index (p < 0.05). However, TZD pronouncedly improved glucose control, insulin resistance, adiponectin, and lipid profile (p < 0.05). TZD provides a favorable effect on fat redistribution and benefits insulin sensitivity, suggesting a potentially valuable approach in cardiometabolic risk management.

Epigenetic Biomarkers of Metabolic Responses to Lifestyle Interventions.

Studies have examined the possible utility of epigenetic phenomena (DNA methylation changes, covalent histone modifications, and miRNA expression patterns) in predicting individual responses to different lifestyle programs. Nonetheless, most available evidence is focused on identifying epigenetic marks eventually associated with body composition and adiposity outcomes, whereas their roles in metabolic endings remain less explored. This document comprehensively reviewed the evidence regarding the use of epigenetic signatures as putative biomarkers of metabolic outcomes (glycemic, lipid, blood pressure, and inflammatory/oxidative stress features) in response to different lifestyle interventions in humans. Although more investigation is still necessary in order to translate this knowledge in clinical practice, these scientific insights are contributing to the design of advanced strategies for the precise management of cardiometabolic risk, gaining understanding on metabolic heterogeneity, allowing for the prediction of metabolic outcomes, and facilitating the design of epigenome-based nutritional strategies for a more customized approach for metabolic alterations treatment under the scope of precision nutrition.

The nurse-led GILL eHealth intervention for improving physical health and lifestyle behaviours in clients with severe mental illness: design of a cluster-randomised controlled trial

BackgroundClients with severe mental illness (SMI) have overall poor physical health. SMI reduces life expectancy by 5–17 years, primarily due to physical comorbidity linked to cardiometabolic risks that are mainly driven by unhealthy lifestyle behaviours. To improve physical health in clients with SMI, key elements are systematic somatic screening and lifestyle promotion. The nurse-led GILL eHealth was developed for somatic screening and the implementation of lifestyle activities in clients with SMI. Aims of this study are to evaluate the effectiveness of the GILL eHealth intervention in clients with SMI compared to usual care, and to evaluate the implementation process, and the experiences of clients and healthcare providers with GILL eHealth.MethodsThe GILL study encompasses a cluster-randomised controlled trial in approximately 20 mental health care facilities in the Netherlands. The randomisation takes place at the team level, assigning clients to the eHealth intervention or the usual care group. The GILL eHealth intervention consists of two complementary modules for somatic screening and lifestyle promotion, resulting in personalised somatic treatment and lifestyle plans. Trained mental health nurses and nurse practitioners will implement the intervention within the multidisciplinary treatment context, and will guide and support the participants in promoting their physical health, including cardiometabolic risk management. Usual care includes treatment as currently delivered, with national guidelines as frame of reference. We aim to include 258 clients with SMI and a BMI of 27 or higher. Primary outcome is the metabolic syndrome severity score. Secondary outcomes are physical health measurements and participants’ reports on physical activity, perceived lifestyle behaviours, quality of life, recovery, psychosocial functioning, and health-related self-efficacy. Measurements will be completed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. A qualitative process evaluation will be conducted alongside, to evaluate the process of implementation and the experiences of clients and healthcare professionals with GILL eHealth.DiscussionThe GILL eHealth intervention is expected to be more effective than usual care in improving physical health and lifestyle behaviours among clients with SMI. It will also provide important information on implementation of GILL eHealth in mental health care. If proven effective, GILL eHealth offers a clinically useful tool to improve physical health and lifestyle behaviours.Trial registrationClinical trial registration NCT05533749, registration date: 8 September 2022.

National study of NAFLD management identifies variation in delivery of care in the UK between 2019 to 2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with liver and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recently published NAFLD Quality Standards include 11 key performance indicators (KPIs) of good clinical care. This national study, endorsed by British Association for the Study of the Liver (BASL) and British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG), aimed to benchmark NAFLD care in UK hospitals against these KPIs. This study included all new patients with NAFLD reviewed in the outpatient clinic in the months of March 2019 and March 2022. Participating UK hospitals self-registered for the study through BASL/BSG. KPI outcomes were compared using Fisher's exact or Chi-square tests. Data from 776 patients with NAFLD attending 34 hospitals (England [25], Scotland [four], Wales [three], Northern Ireland [two]) were collected. A total of 85.3% of hospitals reported established local liver disease assessment pathways, yet only 27.9% of patients with suspected NAFLD had non-invasive fibrosis assessment documented at the point of referral to secondary care. In secondary care, 79.1% of patients had fibrosis assessment. Assessment of cardiometabolic risk factors including obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and smoking were conducted in 73.2%, 33.0%, 19.3%, and 54.9% of all patients, respectively. There was limited documentation of diet (35.7%) and exercise advice (55.1%). Excluding those on statins, only 9.1% of patients with NAFLD at increased cardiovascular risk (T2DM and/or QRISK-3 >10%) had documented discussion of statin treatment. Significant KPI improvements from 2019 to 2022 were evident in use of non-invasive fibrosis assessment before secondary care referral, statin recommendations, and diet and exercise recommendations. This national study identified substantial variation in NAFLD management in the UK with clear areas for improvement, particularly fibrosis risk assessment before secondary care referral and management of associated cardiometabolic risk factors. This study identified significant variation in the management of NAFLD in the UK. Only 27.9% of patients with suspected NAFLD had non-invasive fibrosis assessment performed to identify those at greater risk of advanced liver disease before specialist referral. Greater emphasis is needed on the management of associated cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with NAFLD. Hospitals with multidisciplinary NAFLD service provision had higher rates of fibrosis evaluation and assessment and management of cardiometabolic risk than hospitals without multidisciplinary services. Further work is needed to align guideline recommendations and real-world practice in NAFLD care.

Ethnic differences in multimorbidity after accounting for social-economic factors, findings from The Health Survey for England.

Social-economic factors and health behaviours may be driving variation in ethnic health inequalities in multimorbidity including among distinct ethnic groups. Using the cross-sectional nationally representative Health Surveys for England 2011-18 (N = 54438, aged 16+), we performed multivariable logistic regression on the odds of having general multimorbidity (≥2 longstanding conditions) by ethnicity [British White (reference group), White Irish, Other White, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese, African, Caribbean, White mixed, Other Mixed], adjusting for age, sex, education, area deprivation, obesity, smoking status and survey year. This was repeated for cardiovascular multimorbidity (N = 37148, aged 40+: having ≥2 of the following: self-reported diabetes, hypertension, heart attack or stroke) and multiple cardiometabolic risk biomarkers (HbA1c ≥6.5%, raised blood pressure, total cholesterol ≥5mmol/L). Twenty percent of adults had general multimorbidity. In fully adjusted models, compared with the White British majority, Other White [odds ratio (OR) = 0.63; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53-0.74], Chinese (OR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.36-0.93) and African adults (OR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.42-0.69), had lower odds of general multimorbidity. Among adults aged 40+, Pakistani (OR = 1.27, 95% CI 0.97-1.66; P = 0.080) and Bangladeshi (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.16-2.65) had increased odds, and African adults had decreased odds (OR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.47-0.83) of general multimorbidity. Risk of cardiovascular multimorbidity was higher among Indian (OR = 3.31, 95% CI 2.56-4.28), Pakistani (OR = 3.48, 95% CI 2.52-4.80), Bangladeshi (OR = 3.67, 95% CI 1.98-6.78), African (OR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.05-2.47), Caribbean (OR = 2.18, 95% CI 1.59-2.99) and White mixed (OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.14-3.44) adults. Indian adults were also at risk of having multiple cardiometabolic risk biomarkers. Ethnic inequalities in multimorbidity are independent of social-economic factors. Ethnic minority groups are particularly at risk of cardiovascular multimorbidity, which may be exacerbated by poorer management of cardiometabolic risk requiring further investigation.

Cardiometabolic risk management: insights from a European Society of Cardiology Cardiovascular Round Table.

Metabolic comorbidities are common in patients with cardiorenal disease; they can cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), speed progression, and adversely affect prognosis. Common comorbidities are Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity/overweight, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and chronic liver disease. The cardiovascular system, kidneys, and liver are linked to many of the same risk factors (e.g. dyslipidaemia, hypertension, tobacco use, diabetes, and central/truncal obesity), and shared metabolic and functional abnormalities lead to damage throughout these organs via overlapping pathophysiological pathways. The COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated the management of cardiometabolic diseases. Obesity, T2DM, CKD, and liver disease are associated with increased risk of poor outcomes of COVID-19 infection, and conversely, COVID-19 can lead to worsening of pre-existing ASCVD. The high rates of these comorbidities highlight the need to improve recognition and treatment of ASCVD in patients with obesity, insulin resistance or T2DM, chronic liver diseases, and CKD and equally, to improve recognition and treatment of these diseases in patients with ASCVD. Strategies to prevent and manage cardiometabolic diseases include lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, and surgery. There is a need for more programmes at the societal level to encourage a healthy diet and physical activity. Many pharmacotherapies offer mechanism-based approaches that can target multiple pathophysiological pathways across diseases. These include sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and combined glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide/glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. Non-surgical and surgical weight loss strategies can improve cardiometabolic disorders in individuals living with obesity. New biomarkers under investigation may help in the early identification of individuals at risk and reveal new treatment targets.

Challenges and Opportunities in Diagnosis and Management of Cardiometabolic Risk in Adolescents.

This review aims to elucidate the limitations of diagnosing metabolic syndrome in adolescents as well as challenges and opportunities in the identification and reduction of cardiometabolic risk in this population. There are multiple criticisms of how we define and approach obesity in clinical practice and scientific research, and weight stigma further complicates the process of making and communicating weight-related diagnoses. While the goal of diagnosing and managing metabolic syndrome in adolescents would be to identify individuals at elevated future cardiometabolic risk and intervene to reduce the modifiable component of this risk, there is evidence that identifying cardiometabolic risk factor clustering may be more useful in adolescents than establishing a cutoff-based diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. It has also become clear that many heritable factors and social and structural determinants of health contribute more to weight and body mass index than do individual behavioral choices about nutrition and physical activity. Promoting cardiometabolic health equity requires that we intervene on the obesogenic environment and mitigate the compounding effects of weight stigma and systemic racism. The existing options to diagnose and manage future cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents are flawed and limited. While striving to improve population health through policy and societal interventions, there are opportunities to intervene at all levels of the socioecological model in order to decrease future morbidity and mortality from the chronic cardiometabolic diseases associated with central adiposity in both children and adults. More research is needed to identify the most effective interventions.

Polyphenols and Cardiometabolic Health: Knowledge and Concern among Romanian People.

The cardiometabolic health of the population is a crucial indicator of public health, considering the significant impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes on global mortality. Determining the population's knowledge and the predictors of these pathologies is essential in developing effective educational and clinical strategies for the prevention and management of cardiometabolic risk (CMR). Polyphenols are natural compounds with a multitude of beneficial effects on cardiometabolic health. This study explored the current knowledge, understanding, and awareness of CMR, the benefits of polyphenols among Romanians, and how sociodemographic and clinical characteristics influence this aspect. Five hundred forty-six subjects responded anonymously to an online questionnaire designed to assess their knowledge. The data were collected and analyzed based on gender, age, education level, and BMI status. Most respondents expressed concern to a great or very great extent about their health (78%) and food (60%), with significant differences (p < 0.05) depending on age, educational level, and BMI status. Of the respondents, 64.8% declared that they were familiar with the CMR term. Still, the results showed a weak correlation between the stated risk factors and the self-assessment of increased risk (r = 0.027) for CVD or diabetes. Only 35% of the respondents reported a good or very good knowledge of the term "polyphenols", 86% recognized the antioxidant effect, and significantly fewer (26%) recognized the prebiotic effect. Developing and implementing targeted educational strategies to enhance learning and individual behaviors related to CMR factors and the benefits of polyphenols is necessary.

Food readjustment plus exercise training improves cardiovascular autonomic control and baroreflex sensitivity in high-fat diet-fed ovariectomized mice.

Despite consensus on the benefits of food readjustment and/or moderate-intensity continuous exercise in the treatment of cardiometabolic risk factors, there is little evidence of the association between these two cardiovascular risk management strategies after menopause. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of food readjustment and/or exercise training on metabolic, hemodynamic, autonomic, and inflammatory parameters in a model of loss of ovarian function with diet-induced obesity. Forty C57BL/6J ovariectomized mice were divided into the following groups: high-fat diet-fed - 60% lipids throughout the protocol (HF), food readjustment - 60% lipids for 5 weeks, readjusted to 10% for the next 5 weeks (FR), high-fat diet-fed undergoing moderate-intensity exercise training (HFT), and food readjustment associated with moderate-intensity exercise training (FRT). Blood glucose evaluations and oral glucose tolerance tests were performed. Blood pressure was assessed by direct intra-arterial measurement. Baroreflex sensitivity was tested using heart rate phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside induced blood pressure changes. Cardiovascular autonomic modulation was evaluated in time and frequency domains. Inflammatory profile was evaluated by IL-6, IL-10 cytokines, and TNF-alpha measurements. Only the exercise training associated with food readjustment strategy induced improved functional capacity, body composition, metabolic parameters, inflammatory profile, and resting bradycardia, while positively changing cardiovascular autonomic modulation and increasing baroreflex sensitivity. Our findings demonstrate that the association of these strategies seems to be effective in the management of cardiometabolic risk in a model of loss of ovarian function with diet-induced obesity.

Sugar Consumption Pattern among Cardiometabolic Risk Individuals: A Scoping Review.

The global prevalence of noncommunicable diseases has risen rapidly over the past decade. Research has focused on dietary management, particularly dietary sugar, to prevent and treat noncommunicable diseases. This study undertakes a scoping review of research on the impacts of dietary sugar on cardiometabolic related health outcomes. Ovid Medline, Scopus and Web of Science Core collection databases were used to identify papers published from January 1, 2010 onwards. The included studies had to be cross-sectional or cohort studies, peered review, published in English and in adults, aged 18 years old and above. Articles had to determine the impacts of sugar intake on cardiometabolic related health outcomes. Study quality was measured using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-sectional Studies. In addition, a narrative synthesis of extracted information was conducted. Thirty-one articles were included in this review. All studies had a large sample size, and the exposure measure was clearly defined, valid and applied consistently across all study participants. Exposure was measured using validated questionnaires. All data were statistically analysed and adjusted for critical potential confounding variables. Results showed that dietary sugar intake was significantly associated with metabolic syndrome, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipids, and body weight. Dietary sugar intake significantly increased cardiometabolic risks through mechanisms dependent and independent of weight gain. It is essential to create public awareness on the topics of cardiometabolic risk management and dietary sugars intake.

A Qualitative Study of Perceptions, Strengths, and Opportunities in Cardiometabolic Risk Management During Pregnancy and Postpartum in a Georgia Safety-Net Hospital, 2021.

Despite the strong link between cardiometabolic pregnancy complications and future heart disease, there are documented gaps in engaging those who experience such conditions in recommended postpartum follow-up and preventive care. The goal of our study was to understand how people in a Medicaid-insured population perceive and manage risks during and after pregnancy related to an ongoing cardiometabolic disorder. We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with postpartum participants who had a cardiometabolic conditions during pregnancy (chronic or gestational diabetes, chronic or gestational hypertension, or preeclampsia). We recruited postpartum participants from a single safety-net hospital system in Atlanta, Georgia, and conducted virtual interviews during January through May 2021. We conducted a content analysis guided by the Health Belief Model and present themes related to risk management. From the 28 interviews we conducted, we found that during pregnancy, advice and intervention by the clinical care team facilitated management behaviors for high-risk conditions. However, participants described limited understanding of how pregnancy complications might affect future outcomes, and few described engaging in postpartum management behaviors. Improving continuity and content of care during postpartum may improve uptake of preventive behaviors among postpartum patients at risk of heart disease.

Cardiorenal Complications in Young-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Compared Between White Americans and African Americans.

To explore risks and associated mediation effects of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure (HF) in young- and usual-onset type 2 diabetes (T2D) between White Americans (WAs) and African Americans (AAs). From U.S. medical records, 1,491,672 WAs and 31,133 AAs were identified and stratified by T2D age of onset (18-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-70 years). Risks, mediation effects, and time to CKD and HF were evaluated, adjusting for time-varying confounders. In the 18-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-70 age-groups, the hazard ratios (of developing CKD and HF in AAs versus WAs were 1.21 (95% CI 1.17-1.26) and 2.21 (1.98-2.45), 1.25 (1.22-1.28) and 1.86 (1.75-1.97), 1.21 (1.19-1.24) and 1.54 (1.48-1.60), and 1.10 (1.08-1.12) and 1.11 (1.07-1.15), respectively. In AAs and WAs aged 18-39 years, time in years to CKD (8.7 [95% CI 8.2-9.1] and 9.7 [9.2-10.2]) and HF (10.3 [9.3-11.2] and 12.1 [10.6-13.5]) were, on average, 3.6 and 4.0 and 3.1 and 4.1 years longer compared with those diagnosed at age 60-70 years. Compared with females, AA males aged <60 years had an 11-49% higher CKD risk, while WA males aged <40 years had a 23% higher and those aged ≥50 years a 7-14% lower CKD risk, respectively. The mediation effects of CKD on the HF risk difference between ethnicities across age-groups (range 54-91%) were higher compared with those of HF on CKD risk difference between ethnicities across age-groups (13-39%). Developing cardiorenal complications within an average of 10 years of young-onset T2DM and high mediation effects of CKD on HF call for revisiting guidelines on early diagnosis and proactive treatment strategies for effective management of cardiometabolic risk.

The Diagnosis and Management of Cardiometabolic Risk and Cardiometabolic Syndrome after Spinal Cord Injury.

Individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) commonly present with component risk factors for cardiometabolic risk and combined risk factors for cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS). These primary risk factors include obesity, dyslipidemia, dysglycemia/insulin resistance, and hypertension. Commonly referred to as “silent killers”, cardiometabolic risk and CMS increase the threat of cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death after SCI. This narrative review will examine current data and the etiopathogenesis of cardiometabolic risk, CMS, and cardiovascular disease associated with SCI, focusing on pivotal research on cardiometabolic sequelae from the last five years. The review will also provide current diagnosis and surveillance criteria for cardiometabolic disorders after SCI, a novel obesity classification system based on percent total body fat, and lifestyle management strategies to improve cardiometabolic health.

The cardiometabolic depression subtype and its association with clinical characteristics: The Maastricht Study

BackgroundIndividuals with depression often show an adverse cardiometabolic risk profile and might represent a distinct depression subtype. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a cardiometabolic depression subtype could be identified and to investigate its association with demographics and clinical characteristics (severity, symptomatology, anti-depressant use, persistence and cognitive functioning). MethodsWe used data from The Maastricht Study, a population-based cohort in the southern part of The Netherlands. A total of 248 participants with major depressive disorder were included (mean [SD] age, 58.8 ± 8.5 years; 121 [48.8 %] were men). Major depressive disorder was assessed at baseline by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Cardiometabolic risk factors were defined as indicators of the metabolic syndrome according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. We measured severity and persistence of depressive symptoms by use of the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire. ResultsLatent class analysis resulted in two subtypes, one with cardiometabolic depression (n = 145) and another with non-cardiometabolic depression (n = 103). The cardiometabolic depression subtype was characterized by being male, low education, more severe depressive symptoms, less symptoms of depressed mood and more symptoms of loss of energy, more use of antidepressant medication and lower cognitive functioning. LimitationsNo conclusions can be made about causality. ConclusionsLatent class analysis suggested a distinct cardiometabolic depression subtype. Participants with cardiometabolic depression differed from participants with non-cardiometabolic depression in terms of demographics and clinical characteristics. The existence of a cardiometabolic depression subtype may indicate the need for prevention and treatment targeting cardiometabolic risk management.