Improving cardiovascular control in a hypertensive population in primary care. Results from a staff training intervention.

OBJECTIVE: A pilot study to evaluate a staff training intervention implementing a nurse-led hypertension care model. DESIGN AND SETTING: Clinical and laboratory data from all primary care centres (PCCs) in the Swedish region Västra Götaland (VGR), retrieved from regional registers. Intervention started 2018 in 11 PCCs. A total of 190 PCCs served as controls. Change from baseline was assessed 2 years after start of intervention. INTERVENTION: Training of selected personnel, primarily in drug choice, team-based care, measurement techniques, and use of standardized medical treatment protocols. PATIENTS: Hypertensive patients without diabetes or ischemic heart disease were included. The intervention and control groups contained approximately 10,000 and 145,000 individuals, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Blood pressure (BP) <140/90 mmHg, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) <3.0 mmol/L, BP ending on -0 mmHg (digit preference, an indirect sign of manual measuring technique), choice of antihypertensive drugs, cholesterol lowering therapy and attendance patterns were measured. RESULTS: In the intervention group, the percentage of patients reaching the BP target did not change significantly, 56%-61% (control 50%-52%), non-significant. However, the percentage of patients with LDL-C < 3.0 mmol/L increased from 34%-40% (control 36%-36%), p = .043, and digit preference decreased, 39%-27% (control 41%-35%), p = 0.000. The number of antihypertensive drugs was constant, 1.63 - 1.64 (control 1.62 - 1.62), non-significant, but drug choice changed in line with recommendations. CONCLUSION: Although this primary care intervention based on staff training failed to improve BP control, it resulted in improved cardiovascular control by improved cholesterol lowering treatment.

Hypertension is common and often suboptimally treated in relation to existing guidelines.This register study evaluates the results of a staff training intervention promoting nurse-led care.The intervention had an impact on measurement techniques, drug choice and improved cholesterol control.

Long-term risk-factor control and secondary prevention are insufficient after first TIA: Results from QregPV.

INTRODUCTION: Long-term risk-factor control and secondary prevention are not well characterized in patients with a first transient ischemic attack (TIA). With baseline levels as reference, we compared primary-care data on blood pressure (BP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), smoking, and use of antihypertensives, statins and antiplatelet treatment/oral anticoagulation (APT/OAC) during 5 years after a first TIA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients in QregPV, a Swedish primary-care register for the Region of Västra Götaland, with a first TIA discharge diagnosis from wards proficient in stroke care 2010 to 2012 were identified and followed up to 5 years. BP, LDL-C, smoking, use of antihypertensives, statins, APT/OAC, and achievement of target levels were calculated. We used logistic mixed-effect models to analyze the effect of follow-up over time on risk-factor control and secondary prevention treatment. RESULTS: We identified 942 patients without prior cerebrovascular disease who had a first TIA. Compared to baseline, the first year of follow-up was associated with improvements in concomitant attainment of BP <140/90 mmHg, LDL-C < 2.6 mmol/L and non-smoking, which rose from 20% to 33% (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.38-3.13), but then stagnated in years 2-5. In the first year of follow-up, 47% of patients had complete secondary prevention treatment (antihypertensives, APT/OAC and statin), but continued follow-up was associated with a yearly decrease in secondary prevention treatment (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.94-0.98). CONCLUSION: Risk-factor control was inadequate, leaving considerable potential for improved secondary prevention treatment after a first TIA in Swedish patients followed up to 5 years.

Long-term secondary prevention and outcome following acute coronary syndrome: real-world results from the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database.

AIMS: Most studies of treatment adherence after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are based on prescribed drugs and lack long-term follow-up or consecutive data on risk factor control. We studied the long-term treatment adherence, risk factor control, and its association to recurrent ACS and death. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively included 3765 patients (mean age 75 years, 40% women) with incident ACS from 1 January 2006 until 31 December 2010 from the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database of Skaraborg. All patients were followed until 31 December 2014 or death. We recorded blood pressure (BP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), recurrent ACS, and death. We used data on dispensed drugs to calculate the proportion of days covered for secondary prevention medications. Cox regressions were used to analyse the association of achieved BP and LDL-C to recurrent ACS and death. The median follow-up time was 4.8 years. The proportion of patients that reached BP of <140/90 mm Hg was 58% at Year 1 and 66% at Year 8. 65% of the patients reached LDL-C of <2.5 mmol/L at Year 1 and 56% at Year 8; however, adherence to statins varied from 43% to 60%. Only 62% of the patients had yearly measured BP, and only 28% yearly measured LDL-C. Systolic BP was not associated with a higher risk of recurrent ACS or death. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol of 3.0 mmol/L was associated with a higher risk of recurrent ACS {hazard ratio [HR] 1.19 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-1.40]} and death HR [1.26 (95% CI 1.08-1.47)] compared with an LDL-C of 1.8 mmol/L. CONCLUSION: This observational long-term real-world study demonstrates low drug adherence and potential for improvement of risk factors after ACS. Furthermore, the study confirms that uncontrolled LDL-C is associated with adverse outcome even in this older population.

In this real-world retrospective observational study, we followed 3765 elderly patients for up to 8 years after incident acute coronary syndrome.Only a low proportion of the studied population had yearly measured blood pressure and cholesterol, a low proportion had satisfied risk factor control (blood pressure and cholesterol), and adherence to secondary prevention medication was low.In this elderly population (mean age 75 years), higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were associated with a higher risk of recurrent coronary event and death.

The effect of statins on mortality and cardiovascular disease in primary care hypertensive patients without other cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

AIMS: Studies in primary healthcare (PHC) assessing the effect of primary prevention with statins on mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are scarce. This study aimed to estimate the effect of statins on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke in individuals in PHC with hypertension without CVD or diabetes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using the Swedish PHC quality assurance register QregPV, the study included 13 193 individuals with hypertension without CVD or diabetes, who had filled a first statin prescription between 2010 and 2016, and 13 193 matched controls without a filled statin prescription at the index date. Controls were matched on sex and propensity score using clinical data and data from national registers on comorbidities, prescriptions, and socioeconomic status. The effect of statins was estimated in Cox regression models. During a median of 4.2 years of follow-up, 395 individuals in the statin group vs. 475 in the control group died, 197 vs. 232 died of cardiovascular disease, 171 vs. 191 had an MI, and 161 vs. 181 had a stroke. The treatment effect of statins was significant for all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-0.93] and cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.72-0.998). Overall, no significant treatment effect of statins was seen for MI (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.74-1.07), but there was a significant interaction with sex (P = 0.008) with decreased risk of MI for women but not for men (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.49-0.88 vs. HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.86-1.38). CONCLUSION: Primary prevention with statins in PHC was associated with reduced risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and in women, lower risk of MI.

The aim of this Swedish observational register-based study including 13 193 individuals initiating lipid-lowering medication with statins 2010­16, and 13 193 matched controls, was to study the effect of statins in people with high blood pressure without other cardiovascular disease or diabetes regarding risks for cardiovascular disease and mortality. Key findings During a median of 4.2 years of follow-up, 395 individuals in the statin group vs. 475 in the control group died, 197 vs. 232 died of cardiovascular disease, 171 vs. 191 had a myocardial infarction (MI), and 161 vs. 181 had a stroke.Primary prevention with statins was associated with 17% reduced risk of all-cause mortality, 15% reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality, and in women, 34% reduced risk of MI.

Hypertension: sex-related differences in drug treatment, prevalence and blood pressure control in primary care.

Antihypertensive treatment is equally beneficial for reducing cardiovascular risk in both men and women. Despite this, the drug treatment, prevalence and control of hypertension differ between men and women. Men and women respond differently, particularly with respect to the risk of adverse events, to many antihypertensive drugs. Certain antihypertensive drugs may also be especially beneficial in the setting of certain comorbidities - of both cardiovascular and extracardiac nature - which also differ between men and women. Furthermore, hypertension in pregnancy can pose a considerable therapeutic challenge for women and their physicians in primary care. In addition, data from population-based studies and from real-world data are inconsistent regarding whether men or women attain hypertension-related goals to a higher degree. In population-based studies, women with hypertension have higher rates of treatment and controlled blood pressure than men, whereas real-world, primary-care data instead show better blood pressure control in men. Men and women are also treated with different antihypertensive drugs: women use more thiazide diuretics and men use more angiotensin-enzyme inhibitors and calcium-channel blockers. This narrative review explores these sex-related differences with guidance from current literature. It also features original data from a large, Swedish primary-care register, which showed that blood pressure control was better in women than men until they reached their late sixties, after which the situation was reversed. This age-related decrease in blood pressure control in women was not, however, accompanied by a proportional increase in use of antihypertensive drugs and female sex was a significant predictor of less intensive antihypertensive treatment.

Prediabetes and incident heart failure in hypertensive patients: Results from the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database.

BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS: The cardiovascular risk conferred by concomitant prediabetes in hypertension is unclear. We aimed to examine the impact of prediabetes on incident heart failure (HF) and all-cause mortality, and to describe time in therapeutic blood pressure range (TTR) in a hypertensive real-world primary care population. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this retrospective cohort study, 9628 hypertensive individuals with a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in 2006-2010 but no diabetes, cardiovascular or renal disease were followed to 2016; median follow-up was 9 years. Prediabetes was defined as FPG 5.6-6.9 mmol/L, and in a secondary analysis as 6.1-6.9 mmol/L. Study outcomes were HF and all-cause mortality. Hazard ratios (HR) were compared for prediabetes with normoglycemia using Cox regression. All blood pressure values from 2001 to the index date (first FPG in 2006-2010) were used to calculate TTR. At baseline, 51.4% had prediabetes. The multivariable-adjusted HR (95% confidence intervals) was 0.86 (0.67-1.09) for HF and 1.06 (0.90-1.26) for all-cause mortality. For FPG defined as 6.1-6.9 mmol/L, the multivariable-adjusted HR were 1.05 (0.80-1.39) and 1.42 (1.19-1.70), respectively. The prediabetic group had a lower TTR (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prediabetes was not independently associated with incident HF in hypertensive patients without diabetes, cardiovascular or renal disease. However, prediabetes was associated with all-cause mortality when defined as FPG 6.1-6.9 mmol/L (but not as 5.6-6.9 mmol/L). TTR was lower in the prediabetic group, suggesting room for improved blood pressure to reduce incident heart failure in prediabetes.

Trends in blood pressure, blood lipids, and smoking from 259 753 patients with hypertension in a Swedish primary care register: results from QregPV.

AIMS: To describe 8-year trends in blood pressure (BP) control, blood lipid control, and smoking habits in patients with hypertension from QregPV, a primary care register in the Region of Västra Götaland, Sweden. METHODS AND RESULTS: QregPV features clinical data on BP, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and smoking habits in 392 277 patients with hypertension or coronary heart disease or diabetes mellitus or any combination of the three diagnoses. Data from routine clinical practice have been automatically reported on a monthly basis to QregPV from all primary care centres in Västra Götaland (population 1.67 million) since 2010. Additional data on diagnoses, dispensed drugs and socioeconomic factors were acquired through linkage to regional and national registers. We identified 259 753 patients with hypertension, but without coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus, in QregPV. From 2010 to 2017, the proportion of patients with BP <140/90 mmHg increased from 38.9% to 49.1%, while the proportion of patients with LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L increased from 19.7% to 21.1% and smoking decreased from 15.7% to 12.3%. However, in 2017, only 10.0% of all patients with hypertension had attained target levels of BP <140/90 mmHg, LDL-C < 2.6 mmol/L while being also non-smokers. The remaining 90.0% were still exposed to at least one uncontrolled, modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSIONS: These regionwide data from eight consecutive years in 259 753 patients with hypertension demonstrate a large potential for risk factor improvement. An increased use of statins and antihypertensive drugs should, in addition to lifestyle modifications, decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease in these patients.

Socioeconomic status affects achievement of blood pressure target in hypertension: contemporary results from the Swedish primary care cardiovascular database.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relation between socioeconomic status and achievement of target blood pressure in hypertension. DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal cohort study between 2001 and 2014. SETTING: Primary health care in Skaraborg, Sweden. SUBJECTS: 48,254 patients all older than 30 years, and 53.3% women, with diagnosed hypertension. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of patients who achieved a blood pressure target <140/90 mmHg in relation to the country of birth, personal disposable income, and educational level. RESULTS: Patients had a lower likelihood of achieving the blood pressure target if they were born in a Nordic country outside Sweden [risk ratio 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88-0.97], or born in Europe outside the Nordic countries (risk ratio 0.87; 95% CI 0.82-0.92), compared to those born in Sweden. Patients in the lowest income quantile had a lower likelihood to achieve blood pressure target, as compared to the highest quantile (risk ratio 0.93; 95% CI 0.90-0.96). Educational level was not associated with outcome. Women but not men in the lowest income quantile were less likely to achieve the blood pressure target. There was no sex difference in achieved blood pressure target with respect to the country of birth or educational level. CONCLUSION: In this real-world population of primary care patients with hypertension in Sweden, being born in a foreign European country and having a lower income were factors associated with poorer blood pressure control.KEY POINTSThe association between socioeconomic status and achieving blood pressure targets in hypertension has been ambiguous.•In this study of 48,254 patients with hypertension, lower income was associated with a reduced likelihood to achieve blood pressure control.•Being born in a foreign European country is associated with a lower likelihood to achieve blood pressure control.•We found no association between educational level and achieved blood pressure control.

Blood pressure levels and risk of haemorrhagic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation and oral anticoagulants: results from The Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database of Skaraborg.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of haemorrhagic stroke at different baseline SBP levels in a primary care population with hypertension, atrial fibrillation and newly initiated oral anticoagulants (OACs). METHODS: We identified 3972 patients with hypertension, atrial fibrillation and newly initiated OAC in The Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database of Skaraborg. Patients were followed from 1 January 2006 until a first event of haemorrhagic stroke, death, cessation of OAC or 31 December 2016. We analysed the association between continuous SBP and haemorrhagic stroke with a multivariable Cox regression model and plotted the hazard ratio as a function of SBP with a restricted cubic spline with 130 mmHg as reference. RESULTS: There were 40 cases of haemorrhagic stroke during follow-up. Baseline SBP in the 145-180 mmHg range was associated with a more than doubled risk of haemorrhagic stroke, compared with a SBP of 130 mmHg. CONCLUSION: In this cohort of primary care patients with hypertension and atrial fibrillation, we found that baseline SBP in the 145-180 mmHg range, prior to initiation of OAC, was associated with a more than doubled risk of haemorrhagic stroke, as compared with an SBP of 130 mmHg. This suggests that lowering SBP to below 145 mmHg, prior to initiation of OAC, may decrease the risk of haemorrhagic stroke in patients with hypertension and atrial fibrillation.

Country of birth and mortality risk in hypertension with and without diabetes: the Swedish primary care cardiovascular database.

OBJECTIVES: Hypertension and diabetes are common and are both associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We aimed to investigate associations between mortality risk and country of birth among hypertensive individuals in primary care with and without concomitant diabetes, which has not been studied previously. In addition, we aimed to study the corresponding risks of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. METHODS: This observational cohort study of 62 557 individuals with hypertension diagnosed 2001-2008 in the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database assessed mortality by the Swedish Cause of Death Register, and myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke by the National Patient Register. Cox regression models were used to estimate study outcome hazard ratios by country of birth and time updated diabetes status, with adjustments for multiple confounders. RESULTS: During follow-up time without diabetes using Swedish-born as reference, adjusted mortality hazard ratios per country of birth category were Finland: 1.26 (95% confidence interval 1.15-1.38), high-income European countries: 0.84 (0.74-0.95), low-income European countries: 0.84 (0.71-1.00) and non-European countries: 0.65 (0.56-0.76). The corresponding adjusted mortality hazard ratios during follow-up time with diabetes were high-income European countries: 0.78 (0.63-0.98), low-income European countries: 0.74 (0.57-0.96) and non-European countries: 0.56 (0.44-0.71). During follow-up without diabetes, the corresponding adjusted hazard ratio of myocardial infarction was increased for Finland: 1.16 (1.01-1.34), whereas the results for ischemic stroke were inconclusive. CONCLUSION: In Sweden, hypertensive immigrants (with the exception for Finnish-born) with and without diabetes have a mortality advantage, as compared to Swedish-born.

Plasma albumin and calcium concentrations, and long-term mortality in primary health care patients in Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: Low plasma (p)-albumin and p-calcium concentrations are associated with increased mortality in hospitalised patients. There are few studies addressing this in primary care. Low p-calcium has been associated with mortality, but it is not known whether this applies to p-albumin. Could p-albumin and p-calcium be used as markers of an increased risk of mortality? PURPOSE: To study p-albumin and p-calcium at baseline and their association with mortality after 10-14 years. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study using data from a large primary health care area and the National Swedish Cause of Death Register. SETTING: Primary health care in Skaraborg, Sweden. SUBJECTS: 43,052 patients (39.1% men), ≥18 years, 60.7 ± 18.4 years with p-albumin and p-calcium concentrations registered in 2001-2005. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: P-albumin and p-calcium concentrations at baseline and their association with mortality after a mean follow-up period of 10.3 ± 4.0 years. RESULTS: Low p-albumin was associated with total mortality compared with normal p-albumin, greatest at lower ages (18-47 years). The hazard ratios for women and men were 3.12 (95% CI 1.27-7.70) and 4.09 (95% CI 1.50-11.14), respectively. The increased mortality was seen in both cardiovascular and malignant diseases in both women and men. In contrast, low p-calcium was not associated with increased mortality, 1.00 (95% CI 0.96-1.05). Elevated p-calcium was associated with increased mortality, 1.17 (95% CI 1.13-1.22). CONCLUSIONS: Low p-albumin could be a marker of an increased risk of mortality, especially in patients of younger ages. This finding should prompt diagnostic measures in order to identify underlying causes. KEY POINTS Low p-albumin and calcium concentrations have been associated with increased mortality in hospitalised patients, but this is unexplored in primary care patients. A low p-albumin concentration at baseline was a risk marker for mortality; highest in the younger age groups. Increased mortality in both cardiovascular and malignant diseases was seen in both men and women with low compared with normal p-albumin concentrations. Elevated but not low p-calcium concentrations were associated with increased mortality after 10-14 years of follow-up.

Adherence to lipid-lowering guidelines for secondary prevention and potential reduction in CVD events in Swedish primary care: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The protective effect of lipid-lowering treatment for secondary prevention after coronary heart disease (CHD) has been well documented. Current guidelines recommend a target level for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of ≤1.8 mmol/L. The aim was to describe lipid-lowering treatment patterns and to provide an estimate of the potential reductions in cardiovascular disease (CVD) events with improved adherence to guidelines. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Primary care in a large Swedish region. PARTICIPANTS: 37 120 patients with CHD in a Swedish regional primary care quality register (QregPV), by 31 December 2015. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of patients on statin treatment and proportion of patients achieving LDL-C ≤1.8 mmol/L. Estimated number of CVD events calculated for (1) current treatment, (2) improved treatment and (3) lowered LDL-C, based on applying rate reductions from meta-analyses of randomised trials to the potentially undertreated population. Risk estimation modelling was based on 52 042 patients in the same register on January 2011 followed for 5 years. RESULTS: Of 37 120 patients, 18% reached LDL-C ≤1.8 mmol/L and 32% were not on statin treatment. Based on individual risks, the estimated number of CVD events in the study group over 5 years was 9209/37 120. If all patients without a statin or with less potent statin treatment were given atorvastatin 80 mg, an estimated reduction of CVD events by 14% (7901 vs 9209) was seen. If all patients achieved LDL-C ≤1.8 mmol/L, the number of events was estimated to be reduced by 18% (7577 vs 9209). CONCLUSION: One-third of patients with CHD in primary care were not on lipid-lowering treatment. Based on the assumption that included patients would react to statin therapy the same way as the patients in randomised trials, improved adherence to treatment guidelines could lead to a substantial reduction in new CVD events.

The impact of diabetes, education and income on mortality and cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients: A cohort study from the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database (SPCCD).

OBJECTIVE: In this study we aimed to estimate the effect of diabetes, educational level and income on the risk of mortality and cardiovascular events in primary care patients with hypertension. METHODS: We followed 62,557 individuals with hypertension diagnosed 2001-2008, in the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database. Study outcomes were death, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke, assessed using national registers until 2012. Cox regression models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios of outcomes according to diabetes status, educational level, and income. RESULTS: During follow-up, 13,231 individuals died, 9981 were diagnosed with diabetes, 4431 with myocardial infarction, and 4433 with ischemic stroke. Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for diabetes versus no diabetes: mortality 1.57 (1.50-1.65), myocardial infarction 1.24 (1.14-1.34), and ischemic stroke 1.17 (1.07-1.27). Hazard ratios for diabetes and ≤9 years of school versus no diabetes and >12 years of school: mortality 1.56 (1.41-1.73), myocardial infarction 1.36 (1.17-1.59), and ischemic stroke 1.27 (1.08-1.50). Hazard ratios for diabetes and income in the lowest fifth group versus no diabetes and income in the highest fifth group: mortality 3.82 (3.36-4.34), myocardial infarction 2.00 (1.66-2.42), and ischemic stroke 1.91 (1.58-2.31). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes combined with low income was associated with substantial excess risk of mortality, myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke among primary care patients with hypertension.

Antihypertensive drug classes and the risk of hip fracture: results from the Swedish primary care cardiovascular database.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertension and fractures related to osteoporosis are major public health problems that often coexist. This study examined the associations between exposure to different antihypertensive drug classes and the risk of hip fracture in hypertensive patients. METHOD: We included 59 246 individuals, 50 years and older, diagnosed with hypertension during 2001-2008 in the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database. Patients were followed from 1 January 2006 (or the date of diagnosis of hypertension) until they had their first hip fracture, died, or reached the end of the study on 31 December 2012. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate the risk of hip fracture across types of antihypertensive medications, adjusted for age, sex, comorbidity, medications, and socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: In total, 2593 hip fractures occurred. Compared to nonusers, current use of bendroflumethiazide or hydrochlorothiazide was associated with a reduced risk of hip fracture (hazard ratio 0.86; 95% CI 0.75-0.98 and hazard ratio 0.84; 95% CI 0.74-0.96, respectively), as was use of fixed drug combinations containing a thiazide (hazard ratio 0.69; 95% CI 0.57-0.83). Current use of loop diuretics was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture (hazard ratio 1.23; 95% CI 1.11-1.35). No significant associations were found between the risk of hip fracture and current exposure to beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, aldosterone-receptor blockers or calcium channel blockers. CONCLUSION: In this large observational study of hypertensive patients, the risk of hip fracture differed across users of different antihypertensive drugs, results that could have practical implications when choosing antihypertensive drug therapy.

The quality of the sickness certificate. A case control study of patients with symptom and disease specific diagnoses in primary health care in Sweden.

Objective: To compare information in sickness certificates and rehabilitation activities for patients with symptom diagnoses vs patients with disease specific diagnoses. Design: Retrospective case control study 2013-2014. Setting: Primary health care, Sweden. Subjects. Patients with new onset sickness certificates with symptom diagnoses n = 222, and disease specific diagnoses (controls), n = 222. Main outcome measures: Main parameters assessed were: information about body function and activity limitation in certificates, duration of sick leave, certificate renewals by telephone, diagnostic investigations, health care utilisation, contacts between patients, rehabilitation coordinators, social insurance officers, employers and occurrence of rehabilitation plans. Results: Information about body function and activity limitation was sufficient according to guidelines in half of all certificates, less in patients with symptom diagnoses compared to controls (44% vs. 56%, p = 0.008). Patients with symptom diagnoses had shorter sick leave than controls (116 vs. 151 days p = 0.018) and more certificates issued by telephone (23% vs. 15% p = 0.038). Furthermore, they underwent more diagnostic investigations (32% vs. 18%, p < 0.001) and the year preceding sick leave they had more visits to health care (82% vs. 68%, p < 0.001), but less follow-up (16% vs. 26%, p < 0.008). In both groups contacts related to rehabilitation and with employers were scarce. Conclusion: Certificates with symptom diagnoses compared to disease specific diagnoses could be used as markers for insufficient certificate quality and for patients with higher health care utilisation. Overall, the information in half of the certificates was insufficient and early contacts with employers and rehabilitation activities were in practice missing. KEY POINTS Symptom diagnoses are proposed as markers of sickness certification quality. We investigated this by comparing certificates with and without symptom diagnoses. Certificates with symptom diagnoses lacked information to a higher degree compared to certificates with disease specific diagnoses. Regardless of diagnoses, early contacts between patients, rehabilitation coordinators and social insurance officers were rare and contacts with employers were absent.

Treatment of hypertension in old patients without previous cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) - nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or stroke - at blood pressure levels that meet current recommendations with risk at lower levels, particularly in older patients. METHODS: We identified patients with hypertension aged 40-90 years from a primary care register. Patients with a history of cancer, diabetes mellitus or CVD were excluded. Patients were divided into age groups (40-75 and 76-90), and four groups of SBP 110-129, 130-139 (reference), 140-149 and ≥150 mmHg. We used the Kaplan-Meier estimator to study incidence of AMI, stroke and a composite of the two. Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios for outcomes. RESULTS: We included 31 704 patients: 26 663 were 40-75 years old and 5041 were 76-90 years old. Mean follow-up was 2 years. Although no significant differences in risk of any outcome were found in the younger group, low blood pressure was associated with the lowest risk in the older group. Older patients in the 110-129 mmHg group had a lower incidence of CVD (15.9/1000 vs. 25.3/1000 person-years) than the reference group. After adjustment for covariates, the hazard ratio of CVD in older patients in the 110-129 mmHg group compared with the reference group was 0.60 (95% confidence interval 0.40-0.92). CONCLUSION: Blood pressure levels lower than those currently recommended are not harmful among older patients. The association between lower SBP and lesser risk of CVD may instead suggest a beneficial effect of lower SBP.

Relation Between Lipid Profile and New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Systemic Hypertension (From the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database [SPCCD]).

The relation between dyslipidemia and atrial fibrillation (AF) development is still controversial. To assess the impact of lipid profile on new-onset AF, we followed 51,020 primary-care hypertensive patients without AF at baseline. After a mean follow-up time of 3.5 years, AF occurred in 2,389 participants (4.7%). We evaluated the association between total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and new-onset AF. In a Poisson regression model fully adjusted for common risk factors of AF, we found that 1.0 mmol/l (39 mg/dl) increase in total cholesterol was associated with 19% lower risk of new-onset AF (95% confidence interval [CI] 9% to 28%), and 1.0 mmol/l (39 mg/dl) increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was associated with 16% lower risk of new-onset AF (95% CI 3% to 27%). Gender-specific Poisson regression analyses revealed that increase in total cholesterol by 1.0 mmol/l (39 mg/dl) was found to be associated with lower risk of new-onset AF with 21% in men (95% CI 8% to 32%), and 18% in women (95% CI 1% to 31%). There was no association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or triglycerides and new-onset AF, neither in the whole population with respect to separate gender. In conclusion, in a large hypertensive population we found an inverse association between total cholesterol and new-onset AF for both men and women. Our results confirm previous reports of a dyslipidemia paradox, and extend these observations to the hypertensive population.

Bone mineral density in primary care patients related to serum calcium concentrations: a longitudinal cohort study from Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: Elevated calcium concentration is a commonly used measure in screening analyses for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) and cancer. Low bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis are common features of pHPT and strengthen the indication for parathyroidectomy. It is not known whether an elevated calcium concentration could be a marker of low BMD in suspected pHPT patients with a normal parathyroid hormone concentration. PURPOSE: To study if low BMD and osteoporosis are more common after ten years in patients with elevated compared with normal calcium concentrations at baseline. DESIGN: Prospective case control study. SETTING: Primary care, southern Sweden. SUBJECTS: One hundred twenty-seven patients (28 men) with baseline elevated, and 254 patients (56 men) with baseline normal calcium concentrations, mean age 61 years, were recruited. After ten years, 77% of those still alive (74 with elevated and 154 with normal calcium concentrations at baseline) participated in a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry measurement for BMD assessment and analysis of calcium and parathyroid hormone concentrations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Association between elevated and normal calcium concentration at base-line and BMD at follow-up. Correlation between calcium and parathyroid hormone concentrations and BMD at follow-up. RESULTS: A larger proportion of the patients with elevated baseline calcium concentrations who participated in the follow-up had osteoporosis (p value = 0.036), compared with the patients with normal concentrations. In contrast, no correlation was found between calcium or parathyroid hormone concentrations and BMD at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, patients with elevated calcium concentrations at baseline had osteoporosis ten years later more often than controls (45% vs. 29%), which highlights the importance of examining these patients further using absorptiometry, even when their parathyroid hormone level is normal. Key Points Osteoporosis is common, difficult to detect and usually untreated. It is not known whether elevated calcium concentrations, irrespective of the PTH level, could be a marker of low bone mineral density. No correlation was found between calcium or parathyroid hormone concentrations and bone mineral density at follow-up. In this study, patients with elevated calcium concentrations at baseline had osteoporosis ten years later more often than controls (45% vs. 29%).

Mortality trends and cause of death in patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes and controls: A 24-year follow-up prospective cohort study.

AIMS: Our aim was to assess causes of death and temporal changes in excess mortality among patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes in Skaraborg, Sweden. METHODS: Patients from the Skaraborg Diabetes Register with prospectively registered new-onset type 2 diabetes 1991-2004 were included. Five individual controls matched for sex, age, geographical area and calendar year of study entry were selected using population records. Causes of deaths until 31 December 2014 were retrieved from the Cause of Death Register. Adjusted excess mortality among patients and temporal changes of excess mortality were calculated using Poisson models. Cumulative incidences of cause-specific mortality were calculated by competing risk regression. RESULTS: During 24 years of follow-up 4364 deaths occurred among 7461 patients in 90,529 person-years (48.2/1000 person-years, 95% CI 46.8-49.7), and 18,541 deaths in 479,428 person-years among 37,271 controls (38.7/1000 person-years, 38.1-39.2). The overall adjusted mortality hazard ratio was 1.47 (p < .0001) among patients diagnosed at study start 1991 and decreased by 2% (p < .0001) per increase in calendar year of diagnosis until 2004. Excess mortality was mainly attributed to endocrine and cardiovascular cause of death with crude subdistributional hazard ratios of 5.06 (p < .001) and 1.22 (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Excess mortality for patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes was mainly attributed to deaths related to diabetes and the cardiovascular system, and decreased with increasing year of diagnosis 1991-2004. Possible explanations could be temporal trends of earlier diagnosis due to lowered diagnostic thresholds and intensified diagnostic activities, as well as improved treatment.

Drug adherence in treatment resistant and in controlled hypertension-Results from the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database (SPCCD).

PURPOSE: To assess drug adherence in patients treated with ≥3 antihypertensive drug classes, with both controlled and uncontrolled blood pressure and describe associated factors for nonadherence. METHODS: Patients with hypertension, without cardiovascular comorbidity, aged >30 years treated with ≥3 antihypertensive drug classes were followed for 2 years. Both patients with treatment resistant hypertension (TRH) and patients with controlled hypertension were included. Clinical data were derived from a primary care database. Pharmacy refill data from the Swedish Prescribed drug registry was used to calculate proportion of days covered (PDC). Patients with a PDC level ≥ 80% were included. RESULTS: We found 5846 patients treated ≥3 antihypertensive drug classes, 3508 with TRH (blood pressure ≥ 140/90), and 2338 with controlled blood pressure (<140/90 mm Hg). TRH patients were older (69.1 vs 65.8 years, P < .0001) but had less diabetes (28.5 vs 31.7%, P < .009) compared with patients with controlled blood pressure. The proportion of patients with PDC ≥ 80% declined with 11% during the first year in both groups. Having diabetes was associated with staying adherent at 1 year (RR 0.82; 95% CI, 0.68-0.98) whilst being born outside Europe was associated with nonadherence at one and (RR 2.05; 95% CI, 1.49-2.82). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with multiple antihypertensive drug therapy had similar decline in adherence over time regardless of initial blood pressure control. Diabetes was associated with better adherence, which may imply that the structured caregiving of these patients enhances antihypertensive drug treatment.