The MIR 2018 Exam: Psychometric Study and Comparison with the Previous Nine Years.

Background and Objectives: The aim of the present research is to study the questions used in the 2018 MIR exam (a test that allows access to specialized medical training in Spain), describe their psychometric properties, and evaluate their quality. Materials and Methods: This analysis is performed with the help of classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT). The answers given to the test questions by a total of 3868 physicians are analyzed. Results: According to CTT, the average difficulty index for all of the test questions was 0.629, which falls into the acceptable category. The average difficulty index with correction for random effects was 0.515, which corresponds to a value within the optimal range. The mean discrimination index was 0.277, which is in the good category, while the mean point biserial correlation coefficient, with a value of 0.275 fits in the regular category. The values of difficulty and discrimination calculated according to the model of two parameters of the IRT seem adequate with average values of -0.389 and 0.677. The Cronbach alpha score obtained for the overall test was 0.944. This value is considered as very good. Conclusions: A decrease was observed in the average values of discrimination in the last three calls, which may be related to the greater proportion of Spanish graduates that take the exam in the same year of finalization of their studies in Medicine.

The Role of Frailty in Acute Coronary Syndromes in the Elderly.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) patients are increasingly older, and common risk scores include chronological age, but do not consider chronic comorbidity or biological age. Frailty status reflects these variables and may be independently correlated with prognosis in this setting. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the impact of frailty on the prognosis of elderly patients admitted due to MI. METHODS: This prospective and observational study included patients ≥75 years admitted to three tertiary hospitals in Spain due to MI. Frailty assessment was performed at admission using the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe Frailty Index (SHARE-FI) tool. The primary endpoint was the composite of death or non-fatal reinfarction during a follow-up of 1 year. Overall mortality, reinfarction, the composite of death, reinfarction and stroke, major bleeding, and readmission rates were also explored. RESULTS: A total of 285 patients were enrolled. Frail patients (109, 38.2%) were older, with a higher score in the Charlson Comorbidity Index and with a higher risk score addressed in the GRACE and CRUSADE indexes. On multivariate analysis including GRACE, CRUSADE, maximum creatinine level, culprit lesion revascularization, complete revascularization, and dual antiplatelet therapy at discharge, frailty was an independent predictor of the composite of death and reinfarction (2.81, 95% CI 1.16-6.78) and overall mortality (3.07, 95% CI 1.35-6.98). CONCLUSION: Frailty is an independent prognostic marker of the composite of mortality and reinfarction and of overall mortality in patients aged ≥75 years admitted due to MI.

Frailty is an independent prognostic marker in elderly patients with myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients are increasingly older. Conventional prognostic scales include chronological age but do not consider vulnerability. In elderly patients, a frail phenotype represents a better reflection of biological age. HYPOTHESIS: This study aims to determine the prevalence of frailty and its influence on patients age ≥75 years with ACS. METHODS: Patients age ≥75 years admitted due to type 1 myocardial infarction were included in 2 tertiary hospitals, and clinical data were collected prospectively. Frailty was defined at admission using the previously validated Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe Frailty Index (SHARE-FI) tool. The primary endpoint was the combination of death or nonfatal myocardial reinfarction during a follow-up of 6 months. Major bleeding (hemoglobin decrease ≥3 g/dL or transfusion needed) and readmission rates were also explored. RESULTS: A total of 234 consecutive patients were included. Frail patients (40.2%) had a higher-risk profile, based on higher age and comorbidities. On multivariate analysis, frailty was an independent predictor of the combination of death or nonfatal myocardial reinfarction (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 2.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-5.79), an independent predictor of the combination of death, nonfatal myocardial reinfarction, or major bleeding (aHR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.13-4.04), and an independent predictor of readmission (aHR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.00-3.22). CONCLUSIONS: Frailty phenotype at admission is common among elderly patients with ACS and is an independent predictor for severe adverse events. It should be considered in future risk-stratification models.

Safety and Efficacy of Prasugrel and Ticagrelor in Acute Coronary Syndrome. Results of a "Real World" Multicenter Registry.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The incorporation of the new antiplatelet agents (NAA) prasugrel and ticagrelor into routine clinical practice is irregular and data from the "real world" remain scarce. We aimed to assess the time trend of NAA use and the clinical safety and efficacy of these drugs compared with those of clopidogrel in a contemporary cohort of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). METHODS: A multicenter retrospective observational study was conducted in patients with ACS admitted to coronary care units and prospectively included in the ARIAM-Andalusia registry between 2013 and 2015. In-hospital rates of major cardiovascular events and bleeding with NAA vs clopidogrel were analyzed using propensity score matching and multivariate regression models. RESULTS: The study included 2906 patients: 55% received clopidogrel and 45% NAA. A total of 60% had ST-segment elevation ACS. Use of NAA significantly increased throughout the study. Patients receiving clopidogrel were older and were more likely to have comorbidities. Total mortality, ischemic stroke, and stent thrombosis were lower with NAA (2% vs 9%, P < .0001; 0.1% vs 0.5%, P = .025; 0.07% vs 0.5%, P = .025, respectively). There were no differences in the rate of total bleeding (3% vs 4%; P = NS). After propensity score matching, the mortality reduction with NAA persisted (OR, 0.37; 95%CI, 0.13 to 0.60; P < .0001) with no increase in total bleeding (OR, 1.07; 95%CI, 0.18 to 2.37; P = .094). CONCLUSIONS: In a "real world" setting, NAA are selectively used in younger patients with less comorbidity and are associated with a reduction in major cardiac events, including mortality, without increasing bleeding compared with clopidogrel.