Effects of aspirin on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) carry a high cardiovascular (CV) risk. Since whether this risk is reduced by aspirin is unclear, we examined if the effect of aspirin on cardiovascular outcomes varied by baseline kidney function in a primary cardiovascular disease prevention trial. The International Polycap Study-3 (TIPS-3) trial had randomized people without previous cardiovascular disease to aspirin (75 mg daily) or placebo. We now examined aspirin versus placebo on cardiovascular events in participants grouped by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), using a threshold of 60 ml/min/1.73 m2, and by using tertiles of eGFR. The primary outcome was a composite of non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke or cardiovascular death. A total of 5712 participants were randomized with a mean follow-up of 4.6 years. Of these, 983 (17.2%) had an eGFR under 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (mean eGFR 49 ml/min/1.73 m2) and 4,729 over 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (mean 84 ml/min/1.73 m2). In participants with an eGFR under 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 there were 26 primary outcomes in 502 participants on aspirin and 39/481 on placebo (hazard ratio 0.57; 95% confidence interval 0.34-0.94). In participants with an eGFR over 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 there were 90 primary outcomes in 2357 participants on aspirin and 95/2372 on placebo (0.95; 0.71-1.27). With tertiles of eGFR under 70, 70-90, and over 90 ml/min/1.73 m2, risk reductions with aspirin for the primary outcome were larger at lower eGFR levels (0.62; 0.43-0.91) for the lowest tertile, (0.96; 0.62-1.49) for the middle, and (1.30; 0.77-2.18) for the highest tertile. Thus, our findings support aspirin may reduce cardiovascular events in people with moderate to advanced stage CKD.

Heart failure in low- and middle-income countries: background, rationale, and design of the INTERnational Congestive Heart Failure Study (INTER-CHF).

BACKGROUND: Although heart failure (HF) has been referred to as a global epidemic, most HF information comes from high-income countries, with little information about low-income countries (LIC) and middle-income countries (MIC) in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and South America, which make up the majority of the world's population. METHODS: The INTERnational Congestive Heart Failure Study is a cohort study of 5,813 HF patients enrolled in 108 centers in 16 LIC and MIC. At baseline, data were recorded on sociodemographic and clinical risk factors, HF etiology, laboratory variables, management, and barriers to evidence-based HF care at the patient, physician, and system levels. We sought to enroll consecutive and consenting patients ≥18 years of age with a clinical diagnosis of HF seen in outpatient clinics (2/3 of patients) or inpatient hospital wards (1/3 of patients). Patients were followed up at 6 and 12 months post-enrollment to record clinical status, treatments, and clinical outcomes such as death and hospitalizations. In the 5,813 enrolled HF patients, the mean age was 59 ± 15 years, 40% were female, 62% had a history of hypertension, 30% had diabetes, 21% had prior myocardial infarction, 64% were recruited from outpatient clinics, 36% lived in rural areas, and 29% had HF with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. CONCLUSIONS: This unique HF registry aims to systematically gather information on sociodemographic and clinical risk factors, etiologies, treatments, barriers to evidence-based care, and outcomes of HF in LIC and MIC. This information will help improve the management of HF globally.

Tea and coffee consumption and risk of acute stroke: The INTERSTROKE Study.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a leading global cause of death and disability. Daily tea/coffee intake is consumed by > 50% of populations and may represent an important population-level exposure. Therefore, it is first essential that we better understand the associations between the tea/coffee intake and stroke. AIMS: This research aims to generate hypotheses about the global associations between tea and coffee intake and stroke. These insights will identify interventions for stroke prevention that can be further explored using alternative study designs. METHODS: INTERSTROKE is a large international matched case-control study of first stroke from 32 countries. Participants were asked "how many cups do you drink each day?" of coffee, green tea, black tea, and other tea. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between intake and stroke. RESULTS: We included 13,462 cases and 13,488 controls from INTERSTROKE; mean age was 61.7 (13.4) years and 59.6% (n = 16,010) were male. Overall, 19.4% (n = 5239) did not consume tea/coffee, 47.0% (n = 12,666) consumed tea only, 14.9% (n = 4024) consumed coffee alone, and 18.6% (n = 5021) consumed both, with significant regional variations. After multivariable adjustment, there was no association between low/moderate coffee intake and stroke, but high consumption (> 4/day) was associated with higher odds of all stroke (OR = 1.37 (95% CI = 1.06-1.77)) or ischemic stroke (OR = 1.32 (95% CI = 1.00-1.74)). Tea consumption was associated with lower odds of all (OR = 0.81 (95% CI = 0.69-0.94) for highest intake) or ischemic stroke (OR = 0.81 (95% CI = 0.68-0.98) for highest intake). CONCLUSIONS: High coffee consumption was associated with higher odds of all or ischemic stroke; low-moderate coffee had no association with stroke. In contrast, tea consumption was associated with lower odds of stroke. These associations suggest that individuals consider avoiding high coffee consumption (⩾ five cups/day) to impact future stroke risk. DATA ACCESS STATEMENT: The design and rationale of INTERSTROKE was published previously. Individual participant data, or other documents are not available.

Carbonated Beverage, Fruit Drink, and Water Consumption and Risk of Acute Stroke: the INTERSTROKE Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cold beverage intake (carbonated drinks, fruit juice/drinks, and water) may be important population-level exposures relevant to stroke risk and prevention. We sought to explore the association between intake of these beverages and stroke. METHODS: INTERSTROKE is an international matched case-control study of first stroke. Participants reported beverage intake using food frequency questionnaires or were asked "How many cups do you drink each day of water?" Multivariable conditional logistic regression estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations with stroke. RESULTS: We include 13,462 cases and 13,488 controls; mean age was 61.7±13.4 years and 59.6% (n=16,010) were male. After multivariable adjustment, carbonated beverages were linearly associated with ischemic stroke (OR 2.39 [95% CI 1.64-3.49]); only consumption once/day was associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) (OR 1.58 [95% CI 1.23-2.03]). There was no association between fruit juice/drinks and ischemic stroke, but increased odds of ICH for once/day (OR 1.37 [95% CI 1.08-1.75)] or twice/day (OR 3.18 [95% CI 1.69-5.97]). High water intake (>7 cups/day) was associated ischemic stroke (OR 0.82 [95% CI 0.68-0.99]) but not ICH. Associations differed by Eugeographical region-increased odds for carbonated beverages in some regions only; opposing directions of association of fruit juices/drinks with stroke in selected regions. CONCLUSION: Carbonated beverages were associated with increased odds of ischemic stroke and ICH, fruit juice/drinks were associated with increased odds of ICH, and high water consumption was associated with reduced odds of ischemic stroke, with important regional differences. Our findings suggest optimizing water intake, minimizing fruit juice/drinks, and avoiding carbonated beverages.

[Concordance of the assessment of pubertal development with the Tanner scale between adolescents and a trained physician]. / Concordancia en la evaluación del desarrollo puberal mediante la escala de Tanner entre adolescentes y un médico entrenado.

OBJECTIVES.: To assess the concordance between self-assessment of pubertal development with the Tanner scale performed by adolescents compared to the assessment performed by a trained physician. MATERIALS AND METHODS.: As part of the SIMAC project, data was collected on 244 adolescents. At baseline, we included an anthropometric and pubertal development assessment, with a self-assessment by the participants. RESULTS.: We included 229 teenagers from 12 to 17 years old. The agreement between the self-assessment and the clinical evaluation with the Tanner scale presented an 88.3% agreement and a weighted kappa coefficient of 0.554. The self-assessment in women showed a good agreement ( kappaweighted=0.653) and in men a moderate agreement (kappaweighted=0.464). The only variable with a significant influence on the agreement ability was gender; the disagreement probability in males was 63% greater than in females, regardless of age, height, or weight (95% CI: 1,18-2, 26). CONCLUSIONS: . Self-assessment was not accurate enough to replace medical examination, especially in males. More research is needed on this subject considering the impact that self-assessment of sexual development could have.

OBJETIVOS.: Evaluar la concordancia entre la autoevaluación del desarrollo puberal mediante la escala de Tanner realizada por adolescentes, comparado con la evaluación efectuada por un médico entrenado. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS.: Los datos de 244 adolescentes fueron recolectados como parte del proyecto SIMAC. En la línea de base incluimos una evaluación antropométrica y del desarrollo puberal, con una autoevaluación por parte de los participantes. RESULTADOS.: Incluimos 229 adolescentes de 12 a 17 años. La concordancia entre la autoevaluación y la evaluación clínica de la escala de Tanner presentó un acuerdo obtenido de 88,3% y un coeficiente kappa ponderado de 0,554. La autoevaluación en mujeres demostró una concordancia buena (kappapond=0,653), y en varones una concordancia moderada (kappapond=0,464). La única variable con una influencia significativa sobre la capacidad de acuerdo fue el sexo; la probabilidad de desacuerdo en los varones fue 63% mayor que en las mujeres, independiente de edad, talla y peso (IC 95%:1,18-2,26). CONCLUSIONES.: La autoevaluación no fue lo suficientemente precisa para reemplazar el examen médico, sobre todo en los varones. Se requieren más estudios en relación con este tema, reconociendo el impacto que podría llegar a tener la autoevaluación del desarrollo sexual.

Concordancia en la evaluación del desarrollo puberal mediante la escala de Tanner entre adolescentes y un médico entrenado / Concordance of the assessment of pubertal development with the Tanner scale between adolescents and a trained physician

RESUMEN Objetivos. Evaluar la concordancia entre la autoevaluación del desarrollo puberal mediante la escala de Tanner realizada por adolescentes, comparado con la evaluación efectuada por un médico entrenado. Materiales y métodos. Los datos de 244 adolescentes fueron recolectados como parte del proyecto SIMAC. En la línea de base incluimos una evaluación antropométrica y del desarrollo puberal, con una autoevaluación por parte de los participantes. Resultados. Incluimos 229 adolescentes de 12 a 17 años. La concordancia entre la autoevaluación y la evaluación clínica de la escala de Tanner presentó un acuerdo obtenido de 88,3% y un coeficiente kappa ponderado de 0,554. La autoevaluación en mujeres demostró una concordancia buena (kappapond=0,653), y en varones una concordancia moderada (kappapond=0,464). La única variable con una influencia significativa sobre la capacidad de acuerdo fue el sexo; la probabilidad de desacuerdo en los varones fue 63% mayor que en las mujeres, independiente de edad, talla y peso (IC 95%:1,18-2,26). Conclusiones. La autoevaluación no fue lo suficientemente precisa para reemplazar el examen médico, sobre todo en los varones. Se requieren más estudios en relación con este tema, reconociendo el impacto que podría llegar a tener la autoevaluación del desarrollo sexual.

ABSTRACT Objectives. To assess the concordance between self-assessment of pubertal development with the Tanner scale performed by adolescents compared to the assessment performed by a trained physician. Materials and Methods. As part of the SIMAC project, data was collected on 244 adolescents. At baseline, we included an anthropometric and pubertal development assessment, with a self-assessment by the participants. Results. We included 229 teenagers from 12 to 17 years old. The agreement between the self-assessment and the clinical evaluation with the Tanner scale presented an 88.3% agreement and a weighted kappa coefficient of 0.554. The self-assessment in women showed a good agreement ( kappaweighted=0.653) and in men a moderate agreement (kappaweighted=0.464). The only variable with a significant influence on the agreement ability was gender; the disagreement probability in males was 63% greater than in females, regardless of age, height, or weight (95% CI: 1,18-2, 26). Conclusions . Self-assessment was not accurate enough to replace medical examination, especially in males. More research is needed on this subject considering the impact that self-assessment of sexual development could have.

Latin American guidelines on hypertension. Latin American Expert Group.

Hypertension is a highly prevalent cardiovascular risk factor in the world and particularly overwhelming in low and middle-income countries. Recent reports from the WHO and the World Bank highlight the importance of chronic diseases such as hypertension as an obstacle to the achievement of good health status. It must be added that for most low and middle-income countries, deficient strategies of primary healthcare are the major obstacles for blood pressure control. Furthermore, the epidemiology of hypertension and related diseases, healthcare resources and priorities, the socioeconomic status of the population vary considerably in different countries and in different regions of individual countries. Considering the low rates of blood pressure control achieved in Latin America and the benefits that can be expected from an improved control, it was decided to invite specialists from different Latin American countries to analyze the regional situation and to provide a consensus document on detection, evaluation and treatment of hypertension that may prove to be cost-utility adequate. The recommendations here included are the result of preparatory documents by invited experts and a subsequent very active debate by different discussion panels, held during a 2-day sessions in Asuncion, Paraguay, in May 2008. Finally, in order to improve clinical practice, the publication of the guidelines should be followed by implementation of effective interventions capable of overcoming barriers (cognitive, behavioral and affective) preventing attitude changes in both physicians and patients.