Stroke and bleeding risk in atrial fibrillation with CHA2DS2-VASC risk score of one: the Norwegian AFNOR study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The benefit of oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy in atrial fibrillation (AF) and intermediate stroke risk is debated. In a nationwide Norwegian cohort with a non-sex CHA2DS2-VASc risk score of one, this study aimed to investigate (i) stroke and bleeding risk in AF patients with and without OAC treatment, and (ii) the risk of stroke in non-anticoagulated individuals with and without AF. METHODS: A total of 1 118 762 individuals including 34 460 AF patients were followed during 2011-18 until ischaemic stroke, intracranial haemorrhage, increased CHA2DS2-VASc score, or study end. One-year incidence rates (IRs) were calculated as events per 100 person-years (%/py). Cox regression models provided adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs [95% confidence intervals]). RESULTS: Among AF patients, the ischaemic stroke IR was 0.51%/py in OAC users and 1.05%/py in non-users (aHR 0.47 [0.37-0.59]). Intracranial haemorrhage IR was 0.28%/py in OAC users and 0.19%/py in non-users (aHR 1.23 [0.88-1.72]). Oral anticoagulant use was associated with an increased risk of major bleeding (aHR 1.37 [1.16-1.63]) but lower risk of the combined outcome of ischaemic stroke, major bleeding, and mortality (aHR 0.57 [0.51-0.63]). Non-anticoagulated individuals with AF had higher risk of ischaemic stroke compared to non-AF individuals with the same risk profile (aHR 2.47 [2.17-2.81]). CONCLUSIONS: In AF patients at intermediate risk of stroke, OAC use was associated with overall favourable clinical outcomes. Non-anticoagulated AF patients had higher risk of ischaemic stroke compared to the general population without AF with the same risk profile.

Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in self-rated health and mental distress during four decades in a Norwegian population: a HUNT Study.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic inequalities constitute an important focus area for public health, and it has long been established that higher educational level and longer lifespan are correlated. Little is known about decennial time trends in poor self-rated health and mental distress. METHODS: This study linked decennial cross-sectional survey data on self-rated health and mental distress from the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) from 1984 to 2019 with educational registry data using personal identification numbers. Survey participation ranged from 50 807 to 77 212. Slope index of inequality (SII) and relative index of inequality (RII) were calculated using generalized linear models in Stata. Analyses were stratified by sex and age, using the age categories of 30-59 years and 60-80 years. RESULTS: Absolute inequalities in self-rated health and mental distress between educational groups have stayed relatively stable throughout all rounds of HUNT. Relative inequalities in self-rated health and mental distress have generally increased, and both men and women with the lowest education level were more likely to experience poor self-rated health and mental distress relative to those with the highest education level. RII in self-rated health increased over time for both sexes and both age groups. RII for mental distress increased in both sexes and both age groups, except for men and women aged 60-80. DISCUSSION: This study shows that relative inequalities in self-rated and mental health in the Norwegian population are still persistent and have increased. Further knowledge about groups with a disadvantageous health situation should have implications for health care resource allocation.

Stroke After SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine: A Nationwide Registry Study.

BACKGROUND: Whether the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines may cause a transient increased stroke risk is uncertain. METHODS: In a registry-based cohort of all adult residents at December 27, 2020, in Norway, we linked individual-level data on COVID-19 vaccination, positive SARS-CoV-2 test, hospital admissions, cause of death, health care worker status, and nursing home resident status extracted from the Emergency Preparedness Register for COVID-19 in Norway. The cohort was followed for incident intracerebral bleeding, ischemic stroke, and subarachnoid hemorrhage within the first 28 days after the first/second or third dose of mRNA vaccination until January 24, 2022. Stroke risk after vaccination relative to time not exposed to vaccination was assessed by Cox proportional hazard ratio, adjusted for age, sex, risk groups, health care personnel, and nursing home resident. RESULTS: The cohort included 4 139 888 people, 49.8% women, and 6.7% were ≥80 years of age. During the first 28 days after an mRNA vaccine, 2104 people experienced a stroke (82% ischemic stroke, 13% intracerebral hemorrhage, and 5% subarachnoid hemorrhage). Adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) after the first/second and after the third mRNA vaccine doses were 0.92 (0.85-1.00) and 0.89 (0.73-1.08) for ischemic stroke, 0.81 (0.67-0.98) and 1.05 (0.64-1.71) for intracerebral hemorrhage, and 0.64 (0.46-0.87) and 1.12 (0.57-2.19) for subarachnoid hemorrhage, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find increased risk of stroke during the first 28 days after an mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

Serial blood pressure measurements, left ventricular remodelling and cardiovascular outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Whether serial blood pressure (BP) measurements are more closely associated with subclinical left ventricular (LV) remodelling and better predict risk of cardiovascular events over individual BP measurements are not known. METHODS: We assessed systolic BP, diastolic BP and pulse pressure at several time points during adulthood in 1333 women and 1211 men participating in the Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950 Study. We defined serial BP measurements as the sum of averaged BPs from adjacent consecutive visits indexed to total exposure time between measurements. We assessed the associations between serial and individual BP measurements and (1) LV structure, function and volumes and (2) incident myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, heart failure and cardiovascular death. RESULTS: All indices of higher serial BP measurements were associated with increased indexed LV mass, and the associations were stronger than those of individual BP measurements. Serial diastolic BP pressure was strongly and inversely associated with LV systolic function, while higher serial systolic BP was primarily associated with higher LV volumes. Both serial systolic (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.10, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.17) and diastolic BPs (IRR 1.14, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.27) were associated with increased incidence of clinical events. CONCLUSION: In healthy community dwellers without established cardiovascular disease, different serial BP indices associate strongly with LV remodelling and cardiovascular outcomes. Whether the use of serial BP indices for guiding treatment is superior to individual measurements should be explored in additional prospective studies.

National health registries - a 'goldmine' for studying non-communicable disease occurrence in Norway - the NCDNOR project.

To estimate occurrence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) over the life-course in the Norwegian population, national health registries are a vital source of information since they fully represent the entire non-institutionalised population. However, as they are mainly established for administrative purposes, more knowledge about how NCDs are recorded in the registries is needed. To establish this, we begin by counting the number of individuals registered annually with one or more NCDs in any of the registries. The study population includes all inhabitants who lived in Norway from 2004 to 2020 (N~6.4m). The NCD outcomes are diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive lung diseases, cancer and mental disorders/substance use disorders. Further, we included hip fractures in our NCD concept. The data sources used to identify individuals with NCDs, including detailed information on diagnoses in primary and secondary health care and dispensings of prescription drugs, are the Cancer Registry of Norway, The Norwegian Patient Registry, The Norwegian Control and Payment of Health Reimbursement database, and The Norwegian Prescription Database. The number of individuals registered annually with an NCD diagnosis and/or a dispensed NCD drug increased over the study period. Changes over time may reflect changes in disease incidence and prevalence, but also changes in disease-specific guidelines, reimbursement schemes and access to and use of health services. Data from more than one health registry to identify individuals with NCDs are needed since the registries reflect different levels of health care services and therefore may reflect disease severity.

Nine-fold higher risk of acute myocardial infarction in subjects with type 1 diabetes compared to controls in Norway 1973-2017.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to study the cumulative incidence and risk factors (sex, age, calendar year of diabetes onset, country of origin and educational level) of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in subjects with type 1 diabetes and matched controls. METHODS: A nationwide cohort of subjects with type 1 diabetes diagnosed at age < 15 years in Norway during 1973-2000 was followed until the first AMI event, emigration, death or 31st of December 2017. The Norwegian Childhood Diabetes Registry was linked to five nationwide registries, and up to ten sex- and age-matched controls per case were included. RESULTS: Among 7086 subjects with type 1 diabetes, 170 (2.4%) were identified with incident AMI, compared to 193 (0.3%) of 69,356 controls. Mean age and diabetes duration at first AMI was 40.8 years and 30.6 years, respectively. The probability of AMI after 40 years of follow-up was 8.0% in subjects with type 1 diabetes and 1.1% in controls, aHR 9.05 (95% CI 7.18-11.41). In type 1 diabetes, male sex (aHR 1.45), higher age at onset of diabetes and lower education (higher compared to lower, aHR 0.38) were significantly associated with higher risk of AMI. There was no significant time trend in AMI by calendar year of diabetes onset. CONCLUSIONS: We found nine-fold excess risk of AMI in subjects with type 1 diabetes, and three-fold higher risk in subjects with low versus high education. These results highlight a strengthened focus on prevention of cardiovascular disease, and diabetes education tailored to the subjects' educational background.

Associations of Binge Drinking With the Risks of Ischemic Heart Disease and Stroke: A Study of Pooled Norwegian Health Surveys.

Norwegian health survey data (1987-2003) were analyzed to determine if binge drinking increases the risk of incident major events from ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke. Among current drinkers reporting average alcohol intakes of 2.00-59.99 g/day (n = 44,476), frequent binge drinking (≥5 units at least once per month) was not associated with a greater risk of IHD (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.76, 1.09) or stroke (adjusted HR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.81, 1.19), in comparison with participants who reported that they never or only infrequently (less than once per month) had episodes of binge drinking. Participants with an average alcohol intake of 2.00-59.99 g/day had a lower risk of IHD in comparison with participants with very low intakes (<2.00 g/day), both among frequent binge drinkers (adjusted HR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.80) and among never/infrequent binge drinkers (adjusted HR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.84). The findings suggest that frequent binge drinking, independent of average alcohol intake, does not increase the risk of incident IHD or stroke events. However, the findings should be interpreted in light of the limitations of the study design.

Validation of the cardiovascular risk model NORRISK 2 in South Asians and people with diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the predictive ability of the previously published NORRISK 2 cardiovascular risk model in Norwegian-born and immigrants born in South Asia living in Norway, and to add information about diabetes and ethnicity in an updated model for South Asians and diabetics (NORRISK 2-SADia). Design. We included participants (30-74 years) born in Norway (n = 13,885) or South Asia (n = 1942) from health surveys conducted in Oslo 2000-2003. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor information including self-reported diabetes was linked with information on subsequent acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute cerebral stroke in hospital and mortality registry data throughout 2014 from the nationwide CVDNOR project. We developed an updated model using Cox regression with diabetes and South Asian ethnicity as additional predictors. We assessed model performance by Harrell's C and calibration plots. Results. The NORRISK 2 model underestimated the risk in South Asians in all quintiles of predicted risk. The mean predicted 13-year risk by the NORRISK 2 model was 3.9% (95% CI 3.7-4.2) versus observed 7.3% (95% CI 5.9-9.1) in South Asian men and 1.1% (95% CI 1.0-1.2) versus 2.7% (95% CI 1.7-4.2) observed risk in South Asian women. The mean predictions from the NORRISK 2-SADia model were 7.2% (95% CI 6.7-7.6) in South Asian men and 2.7% (95% CI 2.4-3.0) in South Asian women. Conclusions. The NORRISK 2-SADia model improved predictions of CVD substantially in South Asians, whose risks were underestimated by the NORRISK 2 model. The NORRISK 2-SADia model may facilitate more intense preventive measures in this high-risk population.

Association of coincident self-reported mental health problems and alcohol intake with all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality: A Norwegian pooled population analysis.

BACKGROUND: The disease burden attributable to mental health problems and to excess or harmful alcohol use is considerable. Despite a strong relationship between these 2 important factors in population health, there are few studies quantifying the mortality risk associated with their co-occurrence in the general population. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality according to self-reported mental health problems and alcohol intake in the general population. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We followed 243,372 participants in Norwegian health surveys (1994-2002) through 2014 for all-cause and CVD mortality by data linkage to national registries. The mean (SD) age at the time of participation in the survey was 43.9 (10.6) years, and 47.8% were men. During a mean (SD) follow-up period of 16.7 (3.2) years, 6,587 participants died from CVD, and 21,376 died from all causes. Cox models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs according to a mental health index (low, 1.00-1.50; high, 2.01-4.00; low score is favourable) based on the General Health Questionnaire and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist, and according to self-reported alcohol intake (low, <2; light, 2-11.99; moderate, 12-23.99; high, ≥24 grams/day). HRs were adjusted for age, sex, educational level, marital status, and CVD risk factors. Compared to a reference group with low mental health index score and low alcohol intake, HRs (95% CIs) for all-cause mortality were 0.93 (0.89, 0.97; p = 0.001), 1.00 (0.92, 1.09; p = 0.926), and 1.14 (0.96, 1.35; p = 0.119) for low index score combined with light, moderate, and high alcohol intake, respectively. HRs (95% CIs) were 1.22 (1.14, 1.31; p < 0.001), 1.24 (1.15, 1.33; p < 0.001), 1.43 (1.23, 1.66; p < 0.001), and 2.29 (1.87, 2.80; p < 0.001) for high index score combined with low, light, moderate, and high alcohol intake, respectively. For CVD mortality, HRs (95% CIs) were 0.93 (0.86, 1.00; p = 0.058), 0.90 (0.76, 1.07; p = 0.225), and 0.95 (0.67, 1.33; p = 0.760) for a low index score combined with light, moderate, and high alcohol intake, respectively, and 1.11 (0.98, 1.25; p = 0.102), 0.97 (0.83, 1.13; p = 0.689), 1.01 (0.71, 1.44; p = 0.956), and 1.78 (1.14, 2.78; p = 0.011) for high index score combined with low, light, moderate, and high alcohol intake, respectively. HRs for the combination of a high index score and high alcohol intake (HRs: 2.29 for all-cause and 1.78 for CVD mortality) were 64% (95% CI 53%, 74%; p < 0.001) and 69% (95% CI 42%, 97%; p < 0.001) higher than expected for all-cause mortality and CVD mortality, respectively, under the assumption of a multiplicative interaction structure. A limitation of our study is that the findings were based on average reported intake of alcohol without accounting for the drinking pattern. CONCLUSIONS: In the general population, the mortality rates associated with more mental health problems and a high alcohol intake were increased when the risk factors occurred together.

Early adulthood weight, subsequent midlife weight change and risk of cardiovascular disease mortality: an analysis of Norwegian cardiovascular surveys.

BACKGROUND: The time between early adulthood and midlife is important for obesity development. There is paucity of studies using objectively measured body mass index (BMI) at both time points with full range of midlife cardiovascular risk factors. We aimed to investigate the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality associated with different levels of objectively measured change in body weight from early adulthood to midlife, and to assess whether risk is primarily explained by midlife cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: Pooled data from Norwegian health surveys (1985-2003), Tuberculosis screenings, Conscript data and the Norwegian Educational database were linked to the Cause of Death Registry. Health survey participants with data on objectively measured weight and height in both early adulthood (18-20 years) and midlife (40-50 years) were included, n = 148,021. Cox regression models were used to assess associations between weight change and CVD mortality. RESULTS: Total analysis time included 2,841,174 person years. Mean follow-up was 19 (standard deviation 4) years. Participants being normal weight in early adulthood and obese in midlife had a hazard ratio (HR) of CVD mortality of 2.09 (95% CI 1.74-2.50) relative to those who were normal weight at both times. The corresponding HR of those being obese at both times was 5.15 (3.61-7.36). Adjustment for CVD risk factors attenuated these associations. Gaining ≥15 kg between early adulthood and midlife was associated with higher CVD mortality after adjustment for early adulthood weight (HR 1.51 (1.20-1.89)), and for smoking and education (HR 1.63 (1.30-2.04)), however not after adjustment for mediating CVD risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity both in early adulthood and in midlife was associated with CVD mortality. Weight gain of ≥15 kg from early adulthood to midlife was also associated with CVD mortality, but not after adjustment for mediating CVD risk factors.

Underlying conditions in adults with COVID-19. / Underliggende tilstander hos voksne med covid-19.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, type-2 diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were initially noted as the most common diseases among individuals who were hospitalised for COVID-19. However, the evidence base is weak. The objective of this study is to describe how selected diseases were distributed among adults with confirmed COVID-19 (COVID-19 positive tests) and among those hospitalised for COVID-19 compared to the general population. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We used data from the Norwegian Patient Registry, the Norwegian Registry for Primary Health Care and the Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases for adults from the age of 20 and older for the period 1 March 2020-13 May 2020. RESULTS: Of all those who tested positive for COVID-19, 7 632 (94 %) were aged 20 years or older, and 1 025 (13.4 %) of these had been hospitalised. Among those hospitalised with COVID-19, there was a higher proportion of individuals with cardiovascular diseases (18.3 % versus 15.6 %), cancer (6.9 % versus 5.4 %), type-2 diabetes (8.6 % versus 5.2 %) and COPD (3.8 % versus 2.7 %) than in the general population as a whole after adjusting for age. The proportion of hospitalised patients with asthma, other chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, ongoing cancer treatment, complications related to hypertension, obesity and overweight, neurological disorders and cardiac and renal failure was also higher than in the general population. There were few differences between persons who had tested positive for COVID-19 and the general population in terms of underlying conditions. INTERPRETATION: Among those hospitalised for COVID-19, there was a higher proportion of patients with underlying illnesses than in the general population. This may indicate that these patients tend to have a more severe course of disease or that they are more likely to be hospitalised compared to healthy individuals. The results must be interpreted with caution, since the sample of COVID-19 individuals is non-random.

Educational inequalities in midlife risk factors for non-communicable diseases in two Norwegian counties 1974-2002.

Background: The absolute educational differences in the mortality of Norwegian women and men increased during 1960-2000 and thereafter levelled off in men, but continued to widen in women. Which of the risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) might explain these trends? Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate trends in gender-specific, absolute educational differences in established risk factors during 1974-2002. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from 40-45-year-old women and men who participated in one of three health surveys in two counties, from the years 1974-1978, 1985-1988 and 2001-2002. To account for increasing educational attainment through the period we used a regression-based index of inequality (Slope Index of Inequality) to assess the educational gradients over time. Results: From 1974 to 2002, the mean levels of serum total cholesterol and blood pressure decreased and body mass index (BMI) increased in all subgroups by education in both sexes. In men, the educational gradient tended to diminish toward the null for serum total cholesterol and narrowed for systolic blood pressure, but increased for BMI. In women, the educational gradient increased to the double for smoking and increased for triglycerides. Conclusions: In two Norwegian counties, the NCD risk factors showed dynamic patterns during 1974-2002. For blood pressure and serum total cholesterol, the levels showed consistent beneficial changes in all educational subgroups, with a narrowing tendency for educational gradients in men. In women, the educational gradient for smoking increased markedly. Knowledge on midlife trends in the educational gradients of risk factors may help to explain recent and future NCD mortality.

Associations of tobacco smoking with body mass distribution; a population-based study of 65,875 men and women in midlife.

BACKGROUND: Studies indicate an effect of smoking toward abdominal obesity, but few assess hip and waist circumferences (HC and WC) independently. The present study aimed to assess the associations of smoking status and volume smoked with HC and WC and their ratio in a population with low prevalence of obesity together with high prevalence of smoking. METHODS: We used cross-sectional survey data from 11 of a total 19 Norwegian counties examined in 1997-99 including 65,875 men and women aged 39-44 years. Analysis of associations were adjusted for confounding by socioeconomic position, health indicators, and additionally for BMI. RESULTS: Compared with never-smokers, when adjusting for confounders and in addition for BMI, mean HC remained lower while mean WC and waist-hip-ratio (WHR) were higher in current smokers. The finding of a lower HC and higher WHR level among smokers was consistent by sex and in strata by levels of education and physical activity, while the finding of higher WC by smoking was less consistent. Among current smokers, BMI-adjusted mean HC decreased whereas WC and WHR increased by volume smoked. Compared with current smokers, former smokers had higher BMI-adjusted HC, lower WHR and among women WC was lower. CONCLUSIONS: The main finding in this study was the consistent negative associations of smoking with HC. In line with the hypothesis that lower percentage gluteofemoral fat is linked with higher cardiovascular risk, our results suggest that smoking impacts cardiovascular risk through mechanisms that reduce the capacity of fat storage in the lower body region.

Impact of snus use in teenage boys on tobacco use in young adulthood; a cohort from the HUNT Study Norway.

BACKGROUND: As smoking rates decreased, the use of Swedish snus (smokeless tobacco) concordantly increased in Norway. The role of snus as possible contributor to the reduction of smoking has been widely discussed. Our aim was to quantitate transitions in snus use, smoking and dual use of snus and cigarettes in a young male population. METHODS: This prospective cohort study includes 1346 boys participating in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study in Young-HUNT1 1995-97, age 13-19 and in HUNT3 2006-08, age 23-30. Participants reported on tobacco use at both points of time. Models with binominal regression were applied to examine relative risks (RRs), of adolescent ever snus users, dual users or smokers (reference: never tobacco use), to be current snus only users, smokers (including dual users), or tobacco free in adulthood. RESULTS: Current tobacco use in this male cohort increased from 27% in adolescence to 49% in adulthood, increasing more for snus only use and dual use than for smoking only. The adjusted RR (95% CI) of becoming a smoker as young adult, was 2.2 (CI 1.7-2.7) for adolescent snus users, 3.6 (CI 3.0-4.3) for adolescent dual users, and 2.7 (CI 2.2-3.3) for adolescent smokers. RR to become snus only users as adults was 3.1 (2.5-3.9) for adolescent dual users, 2.8 (2.2-3.4) for adolescent snus users and 1.5 (1.0-2.2) for adolescent smokers. The adjusted RR for the transition from adolescent tobacco use to no tobacco use in adulthood was similar for snus users and smokers with RR 0.5 (CI 0.4-0.7), but considerably lower for dual users with RR 0.2 (CI 0.2-0.3). CONCLUSIONS: The use of snus, with or without concurrent smoking, carried a high risk of adult smoking as well as adult snus only use. Dual use seemed to promote the opportunity to become snus only users in adulthood, but made it also more difficult to quit. The benefit of snus use for harm reduction is not evident in our cohort, as the combination of smoking and dual use resulted in high smoking rates among the young adults.

Life course socioeconomic position, alcohol drinking patterns in midlife, and cardiovascular mortality: Analysis of Norwegian population-based health surveys.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomically disadvantaged groups tend to experience more harm from the same level of exposure to alcohol as advantaged groups. Alcohol has multiple biological effects on the cardiovascular system, both potentially harmful and protective. We investigated whether the diverging relationships between alcohol drinking patterns and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality differed by life course socioeconomic position (SEP). METHODS AND FINDINGS: From 3 cohorts (the Counties Studies, the Cohort of Norway, and the Age 40 Program, 1987-2003) containing data from population-based cardiovascular health surveys in Norway, we included participants with self-reported information on alcohol consumption frequency (n = 207,394) and binge drinking episodes (≥5 units per occasion, n = 32,616). We also used data from national registries obtained by linkage. Hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CVD mortality was estimated using Cox models, including alcohol, life course SEP, age, gender, smoking, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, heart rate, triglycerides, diabetes, history of CVD, and family history of coronary heart disease (CHD). Analyses were performed in the overall sample and stratified by high, middle, and low strata of life course SEP. A total of 8,435 CVD deaths occurred during the mean 17 years of follow-up. Compared to infrequent consumption (

Risk factors for stroke and choice of oral anticoagulant in atrial fibrillation.

PURPOSE: To investigate risk factors for stroke in patients initiating oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation in Norway and their association with receiving DOACs versus warfarin. METHODS: From nationwide registries, we identified naïve users initiating treatment with warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban for atrial fibrillation from 2010 to 2015 in Norway. We studied temporal changes in the CHA2DS2-VASc score and its component risk factors. We used multiple logistic regressions to identify CHA2DS2-VASc risk factors associated with receiving DOACs versus warfarin in 2015. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2015, the yearly number of new oral anticoagulant users increased from 7588 to 13,344. All new users initiated warfarin in 2010, while 86% initiated a DOAC in 2015. The mean CHA2DS2-VASc score decreased from 3.2 (SD 1.7) to 3.1 (SD 1.6) in the same period. Vascular disease (0.56 [0.49-0.63]), congestive heart failure (OR 0.65 [95% CI 0.58-0.72]), and diabetes (0.83 [0.73-0.95]) decreased the odds of receiving DOACs instead of warfarin, and ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack/arterial thromboembolism (1.31 [1.12-1.54]), age 65-74 (1.23 [1.06-1.43]), and female sex (1.22 [1.10-1.36]) increased it. Age ≥ 75 (reference age < 65) and hypertension had no impact. CONCLUSIONS: The uptake of DOACs was rapid and spurred an increase in new users of oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation from 2010 to 2015 in Norway. The mean CHA2DS2-VASc score did not change substantially during this period. Vascular disease, heart failure, and diabetes were associated with initiation of warfarin, and previous stroke, age 65-74 and female sex with initiation of DOACs.

Trends in use of warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation in Norway, 2010 to 2015.

PURPOSE: Since 2011, several direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs; dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban) have been introduced as alternatives to warfarin for stroke prophylaxis in atrial fibrillation. We wanted to investigate changes in utilization of oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation in Norway following the introduction of DOACs. METHODS: Using nationwide registries, we identified all adults with pharmacy dispensings for warfarin or DOACs between January 2010 and December 2015 in Norway, and used ambulatory reimbursement codes to identify atrial fibrillation as indication. We defined incident use by a 1-year washout period. We describe trends in prevalent and incident use of warfarin and DOACs between 2010 and 2015, as well as patterns of treatment switching for incident users. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-nine thousand two hundred eighty-five patients filled at least one prescription for an oral anticoagulant for atrial fibrillation; the yearly number of incident users increased from 262 to 421 per 100,000 person-years; and the yearly share of incident users who initiated a DOAC increased to 82%. Half the prevalent users were on a DOAC by 2015. Within a year of drug initiation, 6, 12, 16 and 20% of incident users of apixaban, rivaroxaban, warfarin and dabigatran, respectively, switched oral anticoagulant. CONCLUSIONS: Use of DOACs for anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation became more prevalent between 2010 and 2015 in Norway, at the expense of warfarin.

Educational inequalities in mortality of patients with atrial fibrillation in Norway.

OBJECTIVES: We explored the educational gradient in mortality in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. DESIGN: We prospectively followed patients hospitalized with AF as primary discharge diagnosis in the Cardiovascular Disease in Norway 2008-2012 project. The average length of follow-up was 2.4 years. Mortality by educational level was assessed by Cox proportional hazard models. Population attributable fractions (PAF) were calculated. Analyses stratified by age (≤75 and >75 years of age), and adjusted for age, gender, medical intervention, and Charlson Comorbidity Index. RESULTS: Of 42,138 AF patients, 16% died by end of 2012. Among younger patients, those with low education (≤10 years) had a HR of 2.3 (95% confidence interval 2.0, 2.6) for all-cause mortality relative to those with any college or university education. Similar results were observed for cardiovascular mortality. Disparities in mortality were greater among younger than older patients. A PAF of 35.9% (95% confidence interval 27.9, 43.1) was observed for an educational level of high school/vocational school or less versus higher education in younger patients. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing educational level associated with better prognosis suggesting underlying education-related behavioral and medical determinants of mortality. A considerable proportion of mortality within 5 years following hospital discharge could be prevented.

The educational gradient in cardiovascular risk factors: impact of shared family factors in 228,346 Norwegian siblings.

BACKGROUND: Various indicators of childhood socioeconomic position have been related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in adulthood. We investigated the impact of shared family factors on the educational gradient in midlife CVD risk factors by assessing within sibling similarities in the gradient using a discordant sibling design. METHODS: Norwegian health survey data (1980-2003) was linked to educational and generational data. Participants with a full sibling in the health surveys (228,346 individuals in 98,046 sibships) were included. Associations between attained educational level (7-9 years, 10-11 years, 12 years, 13-16 years, or >16 years) and CVD risk factor levels in the study population was compared with the corresponding associations within siblings. RESULTS: Educational gradients in risk factors were attenuated when factors shared by siblings was taken into account: A one category lower educational level was associated with 0.7 (95% confidence interval 0.6 to 0.8) mm Hg higher systolic blood pressure (27% attenuation), 0.4 (0.4 to 0.5) mmHg higher diastolic blood pressure (30%), 1.0 (1.0 to 1.1) more beats per minute higher heart rate (21%), 0.07 (0.06 to 0.07) mmol/l higher serum total cholesterol (32%), 0.2 (0.2 to 0.2) higher smoking level (5 categories) (30%), 0.15 (0.13 to 0.17) kg/m2 higher BMI (43%), and 0.2 (0.2 to 0.2) cm lower height (52%). Attenuation increased with shorter age-difference between siblings. CONCLUSION: About one third of the educational gradients in modifiable CVD risk factors may be explained by factors that siblings share. This implies that childhood environment is important for the prevention of CVD.