Survival and treatment patterns of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in France - a cohort study using the French National Healthcare database (SNDS).

Over the past decade, several drugs have been approved for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). This retrospective study, using the French National Healthcare database (SNDS), describes the treatment patterns and outcomes of patients with RRMM treated in real-world clinical practice in France. Patients were adults, with a diagnosis of multiple myeloma, who initiated second-line (2L) treatment approved for use in France between 2014 and 2018; this included bortezomib, carfilzomib, daratumumab, ixazomib, lenalidomide, or pomalidomide. Data were analyzed overall, by first-line (1L) autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) status and by lenalidomide treatment status at 2L. In total, 12987 patients with RRMM were included in the study (mean age 69.5 years); 27% received an ASCT at 1L, and 30% received a lenalidomide-sparing regimen at 2L. Overall, and among the ASCT and non-ASCT subgroups, most patients received a bortezomib-based regimen at 1L, whereas lenalidomide-based regimens were most common at 2L. Among patients who received a lenalidomide-sparing regimen at 2L, this was most often a proteasome inhibitor-based regimen. Mortality rate was 26.1/100 person-years, and median (95% confidence interval) survival from 2L initiation was 32.4 (31.2-33.6) months. Survival differed by various factors, shorter survival was reported in the non-ASCT group, those receiving a lenalidomide-sparing regimen at 2L, older patients (≥ 70 years), and those with multiple comorbidities. This analysis provides insight into the real-world use of approved novel MM treatments and highlights an ongoing unmet need to improve outcomes, particularly for selected patient groups.

Patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and adherence to lipid-lowering therapies following an acute coronary syndrome.

Despite dyslipidaemia management guidelines, many patients do not reach low-density lipoprotein cholesterol targets due to insufficiently intensive regimens or lack of adherence to their medication. This was a retrospective cohort study on the Pharmacoepidemiologic General Research eXtension (PGRx)-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) registry. Patients included were ≥ 18 years old who suffered an ACS between 2013 and 2016, and treated with lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) at hospital discharge or within 92 days. Patients were followed up to 12 months' post index ACS, a new cardiovascular event, loss to follow-up or death. Treatment intensity (high, moderate and low intensity statins ± ezetimibe) and adherence (proportion of days covered > 80%) are described. A total of 2,695 patients were included; mean age [SD] was 63.1 [12.8] years, and 77% were men. High, moderate and low intensity statins were started in 56% (1,520), 36% (971), and 3% (86) of patients, respectively. A further 2% (46) were on statin/ezetimibe combination, 2% (42) on other LLT and 1% (30) on ezetimibe alone. At follow-up, around 70% of patients were adherent to LLT, with those on moderate intensity treatments showing better adherence (76%) than those on low (63%) or high (67%) intensity treatments. Despite guideline recommendations, many patients following an ACS are not treated with high intensity statins, and adherence remains far from optimal. Effort should be made to increase the proportion of patients treated with high intensity statins following an ACS and to further improve treatment adherence.

Relationship between recommended chronic heart failure treatments and mortality over 8 years in real-world conditions: a pharmacoepidemiological study.

PURPOSE: We previously reported that chronic heart failure (CHF) treatments reduce the duration of hospitalisation, even in elderly patients. The present study aimed to determine whether CHF treatment also provides long-term benefits in terms of reduced mortality at 8 years. METHODS: A cohort of 281 patients who were admitted to a French teaching hospital with a main diagnosis of CHF were followed through the health insurance databases for 1 year and through the national mortality database for 8 years. RESULTS: Diuretics (236 patients, 84 %) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (193 patients, 69 %) were the most-frequently prescribed medications. The median duration of survival was 46 months. Mortality rates were significantly lower for patients administered beta-blockers (59 %) and statins (56 %) than for patients not exposed to these drugs (82 %, p < 0.001 and 78 %, p = 0.001 respectively). No significant differences in mortality were observed for spironolactone, diuretics or ACE inhibitors. After adjustment, beta-blocker treatment remained associated with a significantly lower risk of mortality (hazard ratio, HR = 0.54 [0.34-0.84]). After adjustment, the use of two or three CHF drugs was associated with longer survival (HR = 0.53 [0.36-0.77]) than the use of zero or one CHF drug. Statins were also associated with longer survival after adjustment (HR = 0.53 [0.31-0.89]). In patients 75 years of age or older (n = 73), only beta-blocker treatment was associated with a significantly lower risk of mortality (HR = 0.31 [0.16-0.63]) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The use of beta-blockers was associated with better survival rates. The use of statins was also associated with better survival at 8 years. Randomised controlled trials are required to confirm these observations.

Real-World Effectiveness of Osteoporosis Medications in France: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Although drugs for osteoporosis have been demonstrated to be effective in reducing fracture risk in placebo-controlled clinical trials, data on effectiveness in real-world practice is limited. Data from the French national health insurance claims database (SNDS) were used to follow five cohorts of women aged ≥55 years after initiating treatment for ≥6 months with either denosumab, zoledronic acid, oral bisphosphonates, raloxifene, or teriparatide in 2014-2016. Fracture incidence was compared within each cohort between the 3 months following initiation (baseline fracture risk) and the 12month, 18month, and 24 month postinitiation periods. Data are presented as incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs)s. Overall, 67,046 women were included in the denosumab cohort, 52,914 in the oral bisphosphonate cohort, 41,700 in the zoledronic acid cohort, 11,600 in the raloxifene cohort, and 7510 in the teriparatide cohort. The baseline vertebral fracture rate ranged from 1.74 per 1000 person years (‰PY) in the raloxifene cohort to 34.75‰PY in the teriparatide cohort, and the baseline hip fracture rate from 0.70‰PY in the raloxifene cohort to 10.52‰PY in the zoledronic acid cohort. Compared with the baseline fracture rate, vertebral fractures involving hospitalization were significantly reduced in the 3-24-month postinitiation period with denosumab (IRR 0.6; 95% CI, 0.5-0.7), zoledronic acid (IRR 0.4; 95% CI, 0.3-0.4), teriparatide (IRR 0.3; 95% CI, 0.2-0.5), and oral bisphosphonates (IRR 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4-0.8). Hip fracture incidence was reduced with denosumab (IRR 0.8; 95% CI, 0.6-0.9), but higher for oral bisphosphonates (IRR 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.3); no significant change in hip fracture rate was observed for zoledronic acid, teriparatide, or raloxifene. A reduction in nonvertebral, non-hip fracture incidence was observed only in the denosumab cohort (IRR 0.8; 95% CI, 0.7-0.9). These findings indicate that treatment with osteoporosis drugs is effective in the real-world setting. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Trends in postmenopausal osteoporosis treatment in France during the period 2007-2016: A nationwide claims database analysis.

PURPOSE: To describe the trends in the pharmacological management of postmenopausal osteoporosis in France during the period 2007-2016. METHOD: This cross-sectional, yearly repeated study of patients in France used the nationwide claims database 'Échantillon Généraliste de Bénéficiaires' (EGB), covering a 1 in 97 representative sample of approximately 600,000 individuals insured by the main French public insurance scheme. For women aged 50-89 years, prescriptions for all anti-osteoporosis medications (AOMs) marketed in France during the study period (bisphosphonates alone or used in combination with calcium, selective estrogen receptor modulators, strontium ranelate, teriparatide or denosumab) were identified in each calendar year. Initiation of any AOM in a calendar year was defined by the absence of a prescription for any AOM within the 2 previous calendar years. Incidence was calculated for all AOM prescriptions and initial prescriptions for AOM. RESULTS: Marked changes were observed in the rates of women receiving any AOM, with a slight increase from 2007 to 2009 (from 10.22 to 10.42 per 100 patient-years [PY]), then a plateau in 2009-2010, followed by a rapid and more than twofold decrease until 2016 (from 10.39 to 5.02 per 100 PY). The decrease in the overall rate of women initiating an AOM showed a rapid halving from 2007 to 2012 (from 2.56 to 1.15 per 100 PY), followed by a plateau in the range of 0.90-1.0 per 100 PY during the period 2013-2016. In contrast, the use of calcium/vitamin D has been rapidly increasing as the only prevention and exclusive intervention for postmenopausal osteoporosis, from 10.6% of women in 2007 to 47.7% in 2016. The profile of patients initiating AOM changed substantially over the 10-year period. Despite a stable mean age of approximately 69 years, an increasing proportion of women with severe chronic comorbidities (from 34.9% to 43.3%), history of fractures (from 7.8% to 13.3%) or high-dose steroid use (from 2.9% to 8.4%) was observed. The decline of AOM initiation was associated with a marked reduction of prescriptions during the study period: by 64.2% for primary care physicians; by 36.7% for specialty doctors; and by 18.4% for rheumatologists. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest a general trend toward an AOM uptake that is increasingly limited to a fraction of patients who are at high risk of fractures. In the context of an aging population and declining prescription rates for AOM, these data highlight an increasing treatment gap among women in France with osteoporosis, which is similar to that seen in other European countries and in the USA.

Exploring the treatment gap among patients with osteoporosis-related fractures in France.

The use of anti-osteoporosis treatment following a diagnosis of osteoporosis with fracture or a relevant fragility fracture remains low in France. Initiating an anti-resorptive may reduce the incidence of a subsequent fracture by 60%. PURPOSE: To describe real-world osteoporosis treatment patterns in individuals with a fragility fracture in France and to explore the impact of initiating treatment on the risk of subsequent fracture. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study, using the national French Health Insurance claims database. Males and females 50 years and over, with a hospital discharge diagnosis of osteoporosis with fracture or a relevant fragility fracture between 2011 and 2014, were included and followed until death or the end of 2016, whichever came first. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients receiving anti-osteoporosis treatments prior to and post-index fracture. Change in fracture rates before and after treatment initiation was assessed in an exploratory analysis. RESULTS: A total of 574,133 patients (138,567 males, 435,566 females) had a qualifying index fracture. The proportion of patients receiving any anti-osteoporosis treatment increased pre-index fracture to post-index fracture from 2.2 to 5.6% among males, and from 11.8 to 18.2% among females. Oral bisphosphonates were the most prescribed anti-osteoporosis treatment for both males and females among post-index fractures (60.6% and 68.8% of patients initiating treatment). Following initiation of anti-resorptives, the incidence of subsequent fracture was reduced by 60% (rate ratio (RR): 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34-0.45). CONCLUSION: Anti-osteoporosis treatment following an index fracture in France remains low. Improved identification and pharmacologic management of patients at risk of fragility fractures are necessary to reduce the risk of subsequent fractures.

High persistence over two years with denosumab among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis in France: A prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: To assess the 12 and 24-month persistence with denosumab in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis in real-world clinical practice in France, and to describe characteristics and management of these patients. METHODS: This prospective, multicenter cohort study evaluated persistence with denosumab at 12 months (primary endpoint) and 24 months (secondary endpoint), defined as at least 2 or 4 injections respectively, and time elapsed between 2 consecutive injections did not exceed 6 months +8 weeks. Other endpoints included patients' characteristics at baseline, medical history, concomitant and previous treatments, and incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADR), serious adverse events and fractures. RESULTS: 478 patients were enrolled by 86 physicians between June 2015 and February 2016. The mean follow-up was 28 months. Mean age was 72 years and 91% of patients had been previously treated for osteoporosis. The persistence with denosumab was 86% (95%CI: 83%-89%) at 12 months and 72% (95%CI: 68%-76%) at 24 months. Using the Kaplan-Meier estimates, the persistence probability over time was 86% at 12 months and 76% at 24 months. During the study, 78 patients discontinued therapy. No multiple vertebral fractures were reported upon discontinuation. ADR were reported for 55 patients, 4 being serious, and 27 patients discontinued denosumab due to an ADR. Among patients who received at least one injection, 10 died. None of the deaths were attributable to denosumab. CONCLUSION: Persistence with denosumab at 12 and 24 months was high, and the treatment was well tolerated among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis treated in routine clinical practice in France.

Clinical impact and room for improvement of intensity and adherence to lipid lowering therapy: Five years of clinical follow-up from 164,565 post-myocardial infarction patients.

BACKGROUND: In patients at risk of cardiovascular (CV) events, the effectiveness of lipid-lowering therapies (LLT) is affected by both intensity and adherence. Our study evaluated the association between LLT intensity (statin and/or ezetimibe) and adherence, and CV events in patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) in France. METHODS: Using the French national healthcare database (SNDS), we included patients with a history of MI, an initial LLT prescription in 2011-2013, and a second prescription within one year. LLT intensity was defined using the expected percent reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; adherence was measured as the proportion of days covered. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess associations between intensity and/or adherence, and the risk of major adverse CV event (MACE). RESULTS: 164,565 patients were included; mean (SD) age, 66·3 (13·8) years; 73·6% men. Following an MI, only half of patients were treated with high-intensity LLT and approximately 40% of those on LLT remained non-adherent during follow-up (mean (SD) follow-up, 2·6 (1·4) years). Each 10% increase in treatment intensity, adherence, or adherence-adjusted intensity was respectively associated with a 16% (HR 0.84, 95%CI 0.84-0.85), 7% (HR 0.93, 95%CI 0.93-0.94), and 15% (HR 0.85, 95%CI 0.84-0.86) decrease in the risk of MACE. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with a history of MI, prescriptions of high-intensity LLT were limited and adherence to LLT was low. Higher intensity and/or adherence to statins was associated with a significantly lower risk of MACE, highlighting the importance of compliance with clinical guidelines to improve patient outcomes.

Quality of life in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in France: results from a French cross-sectional study.

In recent years, treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has improved substantially, leading to longer survival. This has necessitated a greater focus on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but data are lacking. In a part-prospective, part-retrospective study, we enrolled 219 adults with ALL in France to assess the impact of key disease and treatment characteristics on HRQoL. Overall HRQoL and most specific QoL domain scores were consistently better among patients receiving front-line therapy, those currently in complete remission, and those who had previously received hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. Furthermore, HRQoL was consistently impaired in patients with minimal residual disease present (MRD+). In multivariate analyses, multiple lines of therapy, MRD+, leukopenia, comorbidities, and anemia were significantly associated with impaired HRQoL. This study provides real-world data on HRQoL in adults with ALL in France and shows the positive impact of MRD-negative status on HRQoL.

Screening and treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia in a French sample of ambulatory care patients: A retrospective longitudinal cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Untreated Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) leads to premature morbidity and mortality. In France, its epidemiology and management are understudied in ambulatory care. We described the clinical profile, pharmacological management, and clinical outcomes in a French sample of FH patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective longitudinal study on patients from The Health Improvement Network (THIN®) database in France, between October 2016-June 2019. Patients ≥18 years, with probable/definite FH based on the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criteria were included. Baseline characteristics, lipid profile, lipid-lowering therapy (LLT), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) goal achievement; and disease management at 6-month of follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: 116 patients with probable (n = 70)/definite (n = 46) FH were included (mean age:57.8±14.0 years; 56.0% women; 9.5% with personal history of cardiovascular events); 90 patients had data available at follow-up. At baseline, 77.6% of patients had LDL-C>190 mg/dL, 27.6% were not receiving LLTs, 37.9% received statins alone, 20.7% statins with other LLTs, and 7.7% other LLTs. High-intensity statins were prescribed to 11.2% of patients, 30.2% received moderate-intensity statins, and 8.6% low-intensity statins. Only 6.0% of patients achieved LDL-C goal. At 6-month of follow-up, statins discontinuation and switching were 22.7% and 2.3%, respectively. None of the patients received proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors at baseline nor follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the existence of effective LLTs, FH patients are suboptimally-treated, do not achieve LDL-C goal, and exhibit worsened pharmacological management over time. Future studies with longer follow-up periods and assessment of factors affecting LDL-C management, including lifestyle and diet, are needed.

Correlates of quality of life of pre-obese and obese patients: a pharmacy-based cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: The correlates of quality of life (QOL), as measured by the OSQOL questionnaire were investigated in a convenience sample of overweight patients recruited in pharmacies. METHODS: A convenience sample of patients with a Body Mass Index > or = 28 kg/m(2) were recruited in community-based pharmacies. Baseline characteristics and QOL dimensions (1-Physical state, 2-Vitality-desire to do things, 3-Relations with others, 4-Psychological state) were reported in self-completed questionnaires from which the risk of obtaining a low QOL was assessed for each dimension. RESULTS: QOL was inadequate for all dimensions in the 494 patients included in the study (median age = 61, 48% women, 21% professional persons/top executives). Older pre-obese and obese patients were more likely to report impaired physical functioning (OR = 2.02, 95%CI = [1.10-3.70]), but were less severely affected socially (OR = 0.32, 95%CI = [0.15-0.69]). Pre-obese and obese professional persons and top executives showed better physical capabilities (OR = 0.35, 95%CI = [0.15-0.81]) and increased vitality (OR = 0.47, 95%CI = [0.23-0.95]). Overall, men's psychological state was better than females' (OR = 0.46, 95%CI = [0.25-0.82]). A body-mass index > or = 35 kg/m(2) was significantly associated with poorer QOL scores on physical, relational and psychological dimensions. CONCLUSION: Our data highlighted the influence of the severity of excess weight, gender, age and socioeconomic status on QOL. These factors should be taken into account when interpreting QOL in pre-obese and obese persons.

[Migraine or headache management: a pharmacy survey]. / Prise en charge de la migraine: enquête en pharmacie.

AIM: To describe the characteristics and the management of migraine. METHOD: Data on headaches, drug consumption and life habits of 762 patients were collected using questionnaires and pharmacy records. RESULTS: The migraine attack was characterized by a severe pain for more than 80% of the patients. The frequency was more than 2 attacks a week in 16% of the cases. Eighty four per cent of the patients had triptans and 45% had a long-term migraine treatment. Nonspecific analgesics were prescribed for 55%. The frequency of over-consumption of treatments of migraine attacks was 46%. CONCLUSION: The management of migraine still remains inadequate. The pharmacist could contribute to its improvement.

Profile of Women Initiated on Denosumab and Pattern of Use in a Restricted Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Indication: A French Database Analysis Over the Period 2013-2014.

INTRODUCTION: French authorities have approved the reimbursement of denosumab as a second-line therapy after bisphosphonates (BPs) in women presenting with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) at high risk of fracture. By using a nationally representative claims database, we analyzed the pattern of denosumab use. The objectives of this study were to describe the profile of women initiated with denosumab over the 14-month period after launch and to check as far back as possible for the appropriateness of its use regarding the restrictions brought by French health authorities. METHODS: A retrospective study using a national representative claims database, i.e., the "Echantillon Généraliste des Bénéficiaires" (EGB), was performed. The population was composed of women aged ≥ 40 years old who had an initiation of a PMO treatment in 2013 or 2014. The denosumab women's profiles were compared with those of women that started any other PMO treatment (except denosumab) over the same period. RESULTS: In 2013 and 2014, we identified 256 women who initiated denosumab. Denosumab was primarily prescribed by specialists (75%) compared with the other PMO treatments (37.6%). Patients on denosumab were significantly older, 73.2 versus 69.1 years old, and they more frequently had a history of fractures (20.7% versus 17.4%, NS) and chronic uptake of high-dose steroids (25% versus 22.8%, NS). Of the women initiated with denosumab, 93.8% had undergone a previous PMO treatment (during the 2005-2014 period). In 92.9% of cases, it was a BP alone or in association. CONCLUSION: This study suggests satisfactory compliance of prescribers concerning the restriction of the reimbursed indication of denosumab in second line after bisphosphonates with 6.2% possible inappropriate prescriptions. FUNDING: Amgen.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 but Not Insulin Predicts Cognitive Decline in Huntington's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Huntington's disease (HD) is one of several neurodegenerative disorders that have been associated with metabolic alterations. Changes in Insulin Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) and/or insulin input to the brain may underlie or contribute to the progress of neurodegenerative processes. Here, we investigated the association over time between changes in plasma levels of IGF-1 and insulin and the cognitive decline in HD patients. METHODS: We conducted a multicentric cohort study in 156 patients with genetically documented HD aged from 22 to 80 years. Among them, 146 patients were assessed at least twice with a follow-up of 3.5 ± 1.8 years. We assessed their cognitive decline using the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale, and their IGF-1 and insulin plasmatic levels, at baseline and once a year during the follow-up. Associations were evaluated using a mixed-effect linear model. RESULTS: In the cross-sectional analysis at baseline, higher levels of IGF-1 and insulin were associated with lower cognitive scores and thus with a higher degree of cognitive impairment. In the longitudinal analysis, the decrease of all cognitive scores, except the Stroop interference, was associated with the IGF-1 level over time but not of insulin. CONCLUSIONS: IGF-1 levels, unlike insulin, predict the decline of cognitive function in HD.

First-line antiangiogenics for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sunitinib, pazopanib, sorafenib, axitinib and bevacizumab are the five recommended antiangiogenic agents in first-line therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Because these drugs underwent simultaneous clinical development, no direct efficacy and safety comparison was ever conducted, thus preventing optimal therapy choices. METHODS: We performed a traditional and network meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mRCC-recommended first-line antiangiogenic agents. After a systematic review of Medline and Embase up to July 2014, we identified randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the outcomes of mRCC patients treated with sunitinib, pazopanib, sorafenib, axitinib and bevacizumab as first-line treatment. Endpoints of interest were response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. RESULTS: We screened 769 abstracts and included nine RCTs with a total of 4282 patients. In the weighted pooled analysis, first-line antiangiogenic agents showed significant improvement in PFS (HR=0.6; 95% IC, 0.51-0.72) and OS (HR=0.85; 95% IC, 0.78-0.93) compared to control (placebo or interferon-alpha2a (INF)). Network meta-analysis showed no significant differences among antiangiogenic drugs in 6-month PFS, 1-year OS, disease control rate and drug-related safety for all-grade hypertension, diarrhea, weight-loss, nausea or anorexia. However, pazopanib showed a lower incidence of fatigue, anemia and hand foot skin reaction. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis confirms the benefits of first-line antiangiogenic therapy in mRCC, with an improvement in OS. Sunitinib, pazopanib, axitinib and bevacizumab + INF offer similar efficacy but different safety profiles which can help clinicians to better personalize treatment decisions in patients with mRCC.

Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity is not increased in obesity.

BACKGROUND: There are conflicting results in the literature concerning the relationship between obesity and arterial stiffness, assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). The discrepancies could be due to differences in carotid-femoral distance measurement and/or to the presence of pathologies frequently associated with obesity and which increase arterial stiffness. In this study, we examine the relationship between PWV and weight, without and with associated cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes and/or dyslipidemia). METHODS: PWV was assessed with a Complior SP device (Alam Medical, France) in 2,034 patients referred for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The carotid-femoral distance used to calculate PWV was measured with a flexible tape and from the estimated straight carotid-femoral distance obtained with a published equation. RESULTS: In the whole cohort, PWV did not differ significantly according to weight (9.6±2.1, 9.8±2.2 and 9.7±1.9 m/s in normal weight, overweight and obese subjects, respectively, with the distance measured with a tape). PWV was significantly higher in the four groups of patients with cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., 11.1±2.4, 11.0±2.7 and 10.4±2.0 m/s in normal weight, overweight, and obese subjects, respectively, in the group treated for diabetes and dyslipidemia) than in the group of patients without cardiovascular risk factors (8.5±1.6, 8.8±1.7 and 8.5±1.2 in normal weight, overweight, and obese subjects, respectively). There was no relationship between PWV value and weight status, whether or not there were cardiovascular risk factors, and whatever the distance used to calculate PWV. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, obesity per se was not associated with increased arterial stiffness.

Effectiveness of anti-psychotics and related drugs in the Huntington French-speaking group cohort.

PURPOSE: Huntington's disease is a rare condition. Patients are commonly treated with antipsychotics and tetrabenazine. The evidence of their effect on disease progression is limited and no comparative study between these drugs has been conducted. We therefore compared the effectiveness of antipsychotics on disease progression. METHODS: 956 patients from the Huntington French Speaking Group were followed for up to 8 years between 2002 and 2010. The effectiveness of treatments was assessed using Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) scores and then compared using a mixed model adjusted on a multiple propensity score. RESULTS: 63% of patients were treated with antipsychotics during the survey period. The most commonly prescribed medications were dibenzodiazepines (38%), risperidone (13%), tetrabenazine (12%) and benzamides (12%). There was no difference between treatments on the motor and behavioural declines observed, after taking the patient profiles at the start of the drug prescription into account. In contrast, the functional decline was lower in the dibenzodiazepine group than the other antipsychotic groups (Total Functional Capacity: 0.41 ± 0.17 units per year vs. risperidone and 0.54 ± 0.19 vs. tetrabenazine, both p<0.05). Benzamides were less effective than other antipsychotics on cognitive evolution (Stroop interference, Stroop color and Literal fluency: p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Antipsychotics are widely used to treat patients with Huntington's disease. Although differences in motor or behavioural profiles between patients according to the antipsychotics used were small, there were differences in drug effectiveness on the evolution of functional and cognitive scores.

Crucial importance of using a sliding calliper to measure distance for carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity assessment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In the past, different methods have been used to measure the carotid-femoral distance for the assessment of pulse wave velocity (PWV). However, the latest consensus published advises to use 80% of the direct straight carotid-femoral distance (D(0.8)) using either a flexible tape or a sliding calliper. We studied the influence of the use of a tape measure and a calliper on PWV values and provided equations to derive the straight D(0.8) distance from previous methodologies. METHODS: PWV was measured in patients referred for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Carotid-femoral, carotid-sternal notch, and sternal notch-femoral distances were measured with a tape and a sliding calliper. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-nine patients (141 men and 118 women) were recruited consecutively. Their BMI ranged from 18 to 45 kg/m(2) (28.4 ±â€Š5.0, mean ±â€ŠSD). As expected, distances measured with tape were longer (3.1 ±â€Š1.3 cm for D(0.8)) leading to higher values of PWV (0.6 ±â€Š0.3 m/s for PWV(0.8)). This difference was similar in men and women and depended for 20% on the BMI. Equations explaining more than 85% of variance can be used to convert tape carotid-femoral, carotid-sternal notch, and tape sternal notch-femoral distances to D(0.8). CONCLUSION: It is crucial to use a sliding calliper to assess distances for PWV measurement. The overestimation with flexible tape depends on the BMI but not on the sex. Conversion equations between previous methods and the D(0.8) method can be used.

Relationship between short-term blood pressure variability and large-artery stiffness in human hypertension: findings from 2 large databases.

Short-term blood pressure (BP) variability predicts cardiovascular complications in hypertension, but its association with large-artery stiffness is poorly understood and confounded by methodologic issues related to the assessment of BP variations over 24 hours. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and 24-hour ambulatory BP were measured in 911 untreated, nondiabetic patients with uncomplicated hypertension (learning population) and in 2089 mostly treated hypertensive patients (83% treated, 25% diabetics; test population). Short-term systolic BP (SBP) variability was calculated as the following: (1) SD of 24-hour, daytime, or nighttime SBP; (2) weighted SD of 24-hour SBP; and (3) average real variability (ARV), that is, the average of the absolute differences between consecutive SBP measurements over 24 hours. In the learning population, all of the measures of SBP variability showed a direct correlation with cfPWV (SD of 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime SBP, r=0.17/0.19/0.13; weighted SD of 24-hour SBP, r=0.21; ARV, r=0.26; all P<0.001). The relationship between cfPWV and ARV was stronger than that with 24-hour, daytime, or nighttime SBP (all P<0.05) and similar to that with weighted SD of 24-hour SBP. In the test population, ARV and weighted SD of 24-hour SBP had stronger relationships with cfPWV than SD of 24-hour, daytime, or nighttime SBP. In both populations, SBP variability indices independently predicted cfPWV along with age, 24-hour SBP, and other factors. We conclude that short-term variability of 24-hour SBP shows an independent, although moderate, relation to aortic stiffness in hypertension. This relationship is stronger with measures of BP variability focusing on short-term changes, such as ARV and weighted 24-hour SD.