Apolipoprotein E gene variants shape the association between dietary fibre intake and cognitive decline risk in community-dwelling older adults.

BACKGROUND: healthy dietary patterns have been associated with lower risk for age-related cognitive decline. However, little is known about the specific role of dietary fibre on cognitive decline in older adults. OBJECTIVE: this study aimed to examine the association between dietary fibre and cognitive decline in older adults and to assess the influence of genetic, lifestyle and clinical characteristics in this association. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: the Invecchiare in Chianti, aging in the Chianti area study is a cohort study of community-dwelling older adults from Italy. Cognitive function, dietary and clinical data were collected at baseline and years 3, 6, 9 and 15. Our study comprised 848 participants aged ≥ 65 years (56% female) with 2,038 observations. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES: cognitive decline was defined as a decrease ≥3 units in the Mini-Mental State Examination score during consecutive visits. Hazard ratios for cognitive decline were estimated using time-dependent Cox regression models. RESULTS: energy-adjusted fibre intake was not associated with cognitive decline during the 15-years follow-up (P > 0.05). However, fibre intake showed a significant interaction with Apolipoprotein E (APOE) haplotype for cognitive decline (P = 0.02). In participants with APOE-ɛ4 haplotype, an increase in 5 g/d of fibre intake was significantly associated with a 30% lower risk for cognitive decline. No association was observed in participants with APOE-ɛ2 and APOE-ɛ3 haplotypes. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: dietary fibre intake was not associated with cognitive decline amongst older adults for 15 years of follow-up. Nonetheless, older subjects with APOE-ɛ4 haplotype may benefit from higher fibre intakes based on the reduced risk for cognitive decline in this high-risk group.

Blood circulating bacterial DNA in hospitalized old COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease COVID-19 is a heterogeneous condition caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Generally, it is characterized by interstitial pneumonia that can lead to impaired gas-exchange, acute respiratory failure, and death, although a complex disorder of multi-organ dysfunction has also been described. The pathogenesis is complex, and a variable combination of factors has been described in critically ill patients. COVID-19 is a particular risk for older persons, particularly those with frailty and comorbidities. Blood bacterial DNA has been reported in both physiological and pathological conditions and has been associated with some haematological and laboratory parameters but, to date, no study has characterized it in hospitalized old COVID-19 patients The present study aimed to establish an association between blood bacterial DNA (BB-DNA) and clinical severity in old COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: BB-DNA levels were determined, by quantitative real-time PCRs targeting the 16S rRNA gene, in 149 hospitalized older patients (age range 65-99 years) with COVID-19. Clinical data, including symptoms and signs of infection, frailty status, and comorbidities, were assessed. BB-DNA was increased in deceased patients compared to discharged ones, and Cox regression analysis confirmed an association between BB-DNA and in-hospital mortality. Furthermore, BB-DNA was positively associated with the neutrophil count and negatively associated with plasma IFN-alpha. Additionally, BB-DNA was associated with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The association of BB-DNA with mortality, immune-inflammatory parameters and diabetes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients suggests its potential role as a biomarker of unfavourable outcomes of the disease, thus it could be proposed as a novel prognostic marker in the assessment of acute COVID-19 disease.

Effect of Cytomegalovirus Reactivation on Inflammatory Status and Mortality of Older COVID-19 Patients.

Herpesviridae reactivation such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been described in severe COVID-19 (COronaVIrusDisease-2019). This study aimed to understand if CMV reactivation in older COVID-19 patients is associated with increased inflammation and in-hospital mortality. In an observational single-center cohort study, 156 geriatric COVID-19 patients were screened for CMV reactivation by RT-PCR. Participants underwent a comprehensive clinical investigation that included medical history, functional evaluation, laboratory tests and cytokine assays (TNF-α, IFN-α, IL-6, IL-10) at hospital admission. In 19 (12.2%) of 156 COVID-19 patients, CMV reactivation was detected. Multivariate Cox regression models showed that in-hospital mortality significantly increased among CMV positive patients younger than 87 years (HR: 9.94, 95% CI: 1.66-59.50). Other factors associated with in-hospital mortality were C-reactive protein (HR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.05-1.30), neutrophil count (HR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.01-1.42) and clinical frailty scale (HR:1.54, 95% CI: 1.04-2.28). In patients older than 87 years, neutrophil count (HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.05-1.21) and age (HR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01-1.31) were independently associated with in-hospital mortality. CMV reactivation was also correlated with increased IFN-α and TNF-α serum levels, but not with IL-6 and IL-10 serum changes. In conclusion, CMV reactivation was an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients younger than 87 years old, but not in nonagenarians.

Prevalence and management of dysphagia in nursing home residents in Europe and Israel: the SHELTER Project.

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia is a frequent condition in older nursing home residents (NHRs) which may cause malnutrition and death. Nevertheless, its prevalence is still underestimated and there is still debate about the appropriateness and efficacy of artificial nutrition (AN) in subjects with severe dysphagia. The aim is to assess the prevalence of dysphagia in European and Israeli NHRs, its association with mortality, and the relationship of different nutritional interventions, i.e. texture modified diets and AN-with weight loss and mortality. METHODS: A prospective observational study of 3451 European and Israeli NHRs older than 65 years, participating in the SHELTER study from 2009 to 2011, at baseline and after 12 months. All residents underwent a standardized comprehensive evaluation using the interRAI Long Term Care Facility (LTCF). Cognitive status was assessed using the Cognitive Performance Scale (CPS), functional status using Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Hierarchy scale. Trained staff assessed dysphagia at baseline by clinical observation. Data on weight loss were collected for all participants at baseline and after 12 months. Deaths were registered by NH staff. RESULTS: The prevalence of dysphagia was 30.3%. During the one-year follow-up, the mortality rate in subjects with dysphagia was significantly higher compared with that of non-dysphagic subjects (31.3% vs 17.0%,p = 0,001). The multivariate analysis showed that NHRs with dysphagia had 58.0% higher risk of death within 1 year compared with non-dysphagic subjects (OR 1.58, 95% CI, 1.31-1.91). The majority of NHRs with dysphagia were prescribed texture modified diets (90.6%), while AN was used in less than 10% of subjects. No statistically significant difference was found concerning weight loss and mortality after 12 months following the two different nutritional treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Dysphagia is prevalent among NHRs and it is associated with increased mortality, independent of the nutritional intervention used. Noticeably, after 12 months of nutritional intervention, NHRs treated with AN had similar mortality and weight loss compared to those who were treated with texture modified diets, despite the clinical conditions of patients on AN were more compromised.

A Point Prevalence Study of Delirium in Italian Nursing Homes.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is a common geriatric syndrome. Few studies have been conducted in nursing home (NH) residents. The aim of this project was to perform a point prevalence study of delirium in Italian NHs. METHODS: Data collected in 71 NHs are presented. Inclusion criteria were age ≥65 years and native Italian speaker. Exclusion criteria were coma, aphasia, and end-of-life status. Sociodemographic and medical data were recorded. Delirium was assessed using the Assessment Test for Delirium and Cognitive Impairment (4-AT). Patients with a 4-AT score ≥4 were considered to have delirium. Motor subtype was evaluated using the Delirium Motor Subtype Scale (DMSS). RESULTS: A total of 1,454 patients were evaluated (mean age 84.4 ± 7.4 years, 70.2% female), of whom 535 (36.8%) had delirium. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, variables significantly associated with delirium were education (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91-0.97), dementia (OR 3.12, 95% CI 2.38-4.09), functional dependence (OR 6.13, 95% CI 3.08-12.19 for ADL score 0; OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.03-3.84 for ADL score 1-5), malnutrition (OR 4.87, 95% CI 2.68-8.84), antipsychotics (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.81-3.18), and physical restraints (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.71-3.59). CONCLUSION: Delirium is common in older NH residents. Simple assessment tools might facilitate its recognition in this vulnerable population.

Sensibility and Specificity of the VitaPCR™ SARS-CoV-2 Assay for the Rapid Diagnosis of COVID-19 in Older Adults in the Emergency Department.

(1) Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, rapid and reliable diagnostic tools are needed for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection in urgent cases at admission to the hospital. We aimed to assess the performances of the rapid molecular VitaPCR™ test (Menarini Diagnostics) in a sample of older adults admitted to the Emergency Department of two Italian hospitals (2) Methods: The comparison between the rapid VitaPCR™ and the RT-PCR was performed in 1695 samples. Two naso-pharyngeal swab samplings from each individual were obtained and processed using the VitaPCR™ and the RT-PCR for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 (3) Results: VitaPCR™ exhibited good precision (<3% CV) and an almost perfect overall agreement (Cohen's K = 0.90) with the RT-PCR. The limit of detection of the VitaPCR™ was 4.1 copies/µL. Compared to the RT-PCR, the sensitivity, the specificity, and the positive and negative predictive values of VitaPCR™ were 83.4%, 99.9%, 99.2% and 98.3%, respectively (4) Conclusions: The VitaPCR™ showed similar sensitivity and specificity to other molecular-based rapid tests. This study suggests that the VitaPCR™ can allow the rapid management of patients within the Emergency Department. Nevertheless, it is advisable to obtain a negative result by a RT-PCR assay before admitting a patient to a regular ward.

Determinants of Cause-Specific Mortality and Loss of Independence in Older Patients following Hospitalization for COVID-19: The GeroCovid Outcomes Study.

Hospitalization for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection confers an almost five-fold higher risk of post-discharge, all-cause mortality compared to controls from the general population. A negative impact on the functional autonomy of older patients, especially in cases of severe disease and prolonged hospitalization, has been recently described. However, little is known about the determinants of cause-specific mortality and loss of independence (LOI) in the activities of daily living (ADL) following COVID-19 hospitalization. Thus, the current prospective, multicenter study is aimed at identifying the determinants of post-discharge cause-specific mortality and the loss of autonomy in at least one ADL function. Older patients hospitalized for a SARS-CoV-2 infection were consecutively enrolled in an e-Registry from 1 March 2020, until 31 December 2020. After at least six months from discharge, patients were extensively re-evaluated according to a common protocol at the outpatient clinic of eight tertiary care Italian hospitals. Of 193 patients [109 (56.4%) men, mean age 79.9 ± 9.1 years], 43 (22.3%) died during follow-up. The most common causes of death were cardiovascular diseases (46.0%), respiratory failure (26.5%), and gastrointestinal and genitourinary diseases (8.8% each). Pre-morbid ADLs qualified as an independent mortality risk factor [adjusted HR 0.77 (95%CI: 0.63-0.95)]. Of 132 patients, 28 (21.2%) lost their independence in at least one ADL. The adjusted risk of LOI declined with a lower frailty degree [aOR 0.03 (95%CI: 0.01-0.32)]. In conclusion, at long-term follow-up after hospitalization for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, more than 40% of older patients died or experienced a loss of functional independence compared to their pre-morbid condition. Given its high prevalence, the loss of functional independence after hospitalization for COVID-19 could be reasonably included among the features of the "Long COVID-19 syndrome" of older patients.

Animal Protein Intake Is Inversely Associated With Mortality in Older Adults: The InCHIANTI Study.

BACKGROUND: In general, plant protein intake was inversely associated with mortality in studies in middle-aged adults. Our aim was to evaluate the long-term associations of animal and plant protein intake with mortality in older adults. METHODS: A prospective cohort study including 1 139 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 75 years, 56% women) living in Tuscany, Italy, followed for 20 years (InCHIANTI study) was analyzed. Dietary intake by food frequency questionnaires and clinical information were assessed 5 times during the follow-up. Protein intakes were expressed as percentages of total energy. Time-dependent Cox regression models adjusted for confounders were used to assess the association between plant and animal protein intake, and mortality. RESULTS: During the 20 years of follow-up (mean: 12 years), 811 deaths occurred (292 of cardiovascular- and 151 of cancer-related causes). Animal protein intake was inversely associated with all-cause (hazard ratio [HR] per 1% of total energy from protein increase, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96, 0.93-0.99) and cardiovascular mortality (HR per 1% of total energy from protein increase, 95% CI: 0.93, 0.87-0.98). Plant protein intake showed no association with any of the mortality outcomes, but an interaction with baseline hypertension was found for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Animal protein was inversely associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in older adults. Further studies are needed to provide recommendations on dietary protein intake for older adults.

Improving the prognostic value of multimorbidity through the integration of selected biomarkers to the comprehensive geriatric assessment: An observational retrospective monocentric study.

Background: Multimorbidity (MM) burdens individuals and healthcare systems, since it increases polypharmacy, dependency, hospital admissions, healthcare costs, and mortality. Several attempts have been made to determine an operational definition of MM and to quantify its severity. However, the lack of knowledge regarding its pathophysiology prevented the estimation of its severity in terms of outcomes. Polypharmacy and functional impairment are associated with MM. However, it is unclear how inappropriate drug decision-making could affect both conditions. In this context, promising circulating biomarkers and DNA methylation tools have been proposed as potential mortality predictors for multiple age-related diseases. We hypothesize that a comprehensive characterization of patients with MM that includes the measure of epigenetic and selected circulating biomarkers in the medical history, in addition to the functional capacity, could improve the prognosis of their long-term mortality. Methods: This monocentric retrospective observational study was conducted as part of a project funded by the Italian Ministry of Health titled "imProving the pROgnostic value of MultimOrbidity through the inTegration of selected biomarkErs to the comprehensive geRiatric Assessment (PROMOTERA)." This study will examine the methylation levels of thousands of CpG sites and the levels of selected circulating biomarkers in the blood and plasma samples of older hospitalized patients with MM (n = 1,070, age ≥ 65 years) recruited by the Reportage Project between 2011 and 2019. Multiple statistical approaches will be utilized to integrate newly measured biomarkers into clinical, demographic, and functional data, thus improving the prediction of mortality for up to 10 years. Discussion: This study's results are expected to: (i) identify the clinical, biological, demographic, and functional factors associated with distinct patterns of MM; (ii) improve the prognostic accuracy of MM patterns in relation to death, hospitalization-related outcomes, and onset of new comorbidities; (iii) define the epigenetic signatures of MM; (iv) construct multidimensional algorithms to predict negative health outcomes in both the overall population and specific disease and functional patterns; and (v) expand our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of MM.

Chest X-ray Score and Frailty as Predictors of In-Hospital Mortality in Older Adults with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of chest X-ray (CXR) score, frailty, and clinical and laboratory data on in-hospital mortality of hospitalized older patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This retrospective study included 122 patients 65 years or older with positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and with availability to CXRs on admission. The primary outcome of the study was in-hospital mortality. Statistical analysis was conducted using Cox regression. The predictive ability of the CXR score was compared with the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and fever data using Area Under the Curve (AUC) and net reclassification improvement (NRI) statistics. RESULTS: Of 122 patients, 67 died during hospital stay (54.9%). The CXR score (HR: 1.16, 95% CI, 1.04-1.28), CFS (HR: 1.27; 95% CI, 1.09-1.47), and presence of fever (HR: 1.75; 95% CI, 1.03-2.97) were significant predictors of in-hospital mortality. The addition of both the CFS and presence of fever to the CXR score significantly improved the prediction of in-hospital mortality (NRI, 0.460; 95% CI, 0.102 to 0.888; AUC difference: 0.117; 95% CI, 0.041 to 0.192, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: CXR score, CFS, and presence of fever were the main predictors of in-hospital mortality in our cohort of hospitalized older patients with COVID-19. Adding frailty and presence of fever to the CXR score statistically improved predictive accuracy compared to single risk factors.

Predictors of Functional Decline in Nursing Home Residents: The Shelter Project.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to identify independent predictors of functional decline in older nursing home (NH) residents, taking into account both resident and facility characteristics. METHODS: Longitudinal observational study involving 1,760 older (≥65 y) residents of NH participating in the SHELTER* study (57 NH in eight countries). All residents underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment using the interRAI LTCF. Functional decline was defined as an increase of at least one point in the MDS Long Form ADL scale during a 1 year follow-up. Facility and country effects were taken into account. RESULTS: During the study period 891 (50.6%), NH residents experienced ADL decline. Residents experiencing ADL decline were older, had lower disability at baseline, were more frequently affected by severe dementia and by urinary incontinence, and used more antipsychotics. In the mixed-effect logistic regression model, factors independently associated with a higher risk of functional decline were dementia and urinary incontinence, whereas the presence of a geriatrician was a protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: Both resident and facility characteristics are associated with the risk of functional decline in NH residents. Increasing the quality of healthcare by involving a geriatrician in residents' care might be an important strategy to improve the outcome of this vulnerable population.

Potentially preventable visits to the emergency department in older adults: Results from a national survey in Italy.

BACKGROUND: Despite older adults use emergency department more appropriately than other age groups, there is a significant share of admissions that can be considered potentially preventable. OBJECTIVE: To identify socio-demographic characteristics and health care resources use of older adults admitted to emergency department for a potentially preventable visit. DESIGN: Data come from the Multipurpose Survey "Health conditions and use of health services", edition 2012-2013. A stratified multi-stage probability design was used to select a sample using municipal lists of households. SUBJECT: 50474 community dwelling Italians were interviewed. In this analysis, 27003 subjects aged 65 years or older were considered. METHODS: Potentially preventable visits were defined as an emergency department visit that did not result in inpatient admission. Independent variables were classified based on the socio-behavioral model of Andersen-Newman. Descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model were developed. RESULTS: In the twelve months before the interview 3872 subjects (14.3%) had at least one potentially preventable visit. Factors associated with an increased risk of a potentially preventable visit were older age (75-84 years: OR 1.096, CI 1.001-1.199; 85+years: OR 1.022, CI 1.071-1.391), at least one hospital admission (OR 3.869, IC 3.547-4.221), to waive a visit (OR 1.188, CI 1.017-1.389) or an exam (OR 1.300, CI 1.077-1.570). Factors associated with a lower risk were female gender (OR 0.893, CI 0.819-0.975), area of residence (Center: OR 0.850; CI 0.766-0.943; Islands: OR 0.617, CI 0.539-0.706, South: OR 0.560; CI 0.505-0.622), private paid assistance (OR 0.761, CI 0.602-0.962); a better health-related quality of life (PCS score 46-54: OR 0.744, CI 0.659-0.841; PCS score >55: OR 0.746, CI 0.644-0.865). CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified several characteristics associated with an increased risk of potentially preventable visits to the emergency department. This might allow the development of specific interventions to prevent the access of at risk subjects to the emergency department.

Interarm blood pressure differences predict target organ damage in type 2 diabetes.

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are at high risk for atherosclerotic disease, and proper blood pressure measurement is mandatory. The authors examined the prevalence of an interarm difference (IAD) in blood pressure and its association with cardiovascular risk factors and organ damage (nephropathy, retinopathy, left ventricular hypertrophy, and vascular damage) in a large diabetic population. A total of 800 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were evaluated with an automated simultaneous bilateral device (men: 422 [52.8%]; mean age: 68.1±12.2 years). Diabetic patients with systolic IAD ≥5 and systolic IAD ≥10 mm Hg showed an increased risk of having vascular damage (adjusted odds ratios: 1.73 and 2.49, respectively) and higher pulse pressure. IAD is highly prevalent in patients with diabetes, is associated with vascular damage, even for IAD ≥5 mm Hg, and should be accurately obtained to avoid underdiagnosis and undertreatment of hypertension.

Predictors of Functional Changes in Italian Nursing Home Residents: The U.L.I.S.S.E. Study.

OBJECTIVES: To identify independent predictors of the risk of functional decline in older nursing home (NH) residents. DESIGN: A longitudinal observational study. SETTING: Thirty-one NHs participating in the U.L.I.S.S.E. project, distributed throughout Italy. PARTICIPANTS: All older (≥65 years) long-term NH residents without complete disability and with at least one follow-up evaluation during the 12-month study period (n = 1263). MEASUREMENTS: All participants underwent a standardized comprehensive evaluation using the Italian version of the Minimum Data Set for NHs. The activities of daily living (ADLs) Long-Form scale was used to evaluate functional status. Facility characteristics were collected using an ad hoc designed questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the NH residents, 40.4% experienced a decline in the ADL during the follow-up. The mixed effect logistic regression model showed that depression (odds ratio [OR] 1.45, confidence interval [CI] 1.16-1.81, P = .005) and the use of antipsychotics (OR 1.30, CI 1.06-1.60, P = .016) were associated with a higher probability of ADL decline, whereas the presence of a geriatrician (OR 0.60, CI 0.41-0.88, P = .015) and a higher than median hour per resident per week of nursing care (OR 0.55, CI 0.37-0.80, P = .006) were associated with a lower risk. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that preventing functional decline in NH residents might be possible by optimizing the management of depression and by reducing the current high prescription rate of antipsychotics. Moreover, the presence of a geriatrician, associated with an adequate amount of nursing care, seem to be important facilities characteristics to achieve this goal. These findings should be tested in large-scale pragmatic clinical trials.

NT-proBNP and Its Correlation with In-Hospital Mortality in the Very Elderly without an Admission Diagnosis of Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of heart failure (HF) is often difficult and underestimated in very elderly comorbid patients, especially when an echocardiographic evaluation is not available or feasible. AIM: to evaluate NT-proBNP values and their correlation with in-hospital mortality in a population of very elderly hospitalized for medical conditions other than HF. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study on 403 very elderly admitted to an Internal Medicine and Geriatrics Department. Exclusion criterion was an admission diagnosis of HF. Patients with at least one symptom or sign compatible with HF were tested for NT-proBNP. NT-proBNP values < 300 pg/ml were considered as an age-independent exclusion criterion for HF (high negative predictive value), while NT-proBNP values ≥ 1800 pg/ml were considered as a diagnostic criterion. Main comorbidities and laboratory parameters were considered to adjust regression analyses between NT-proBNP and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: NT-proBNP values ≥ 1800 pg/ml were present in 61.0% of patients and 32.8% of patients laid between 300 ≤ NT-proBNP < 1800 pg/ml values. NT-proBNP values were associated with the main indices of disease severity/organ failure considered such as reduced eGFR, reduced albumin and elevated CRP. NT-proBNP values ≥ 1800 pg/ml and ln(NT-proBNP) values were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality independently from the main comorbidities and lab parameters considered. The patients, who were already taking ACE inhibitors/Angiotensin Receptor Blockers before admission, showed lower in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Testing for NT-proBNP should be strongly recommended in the hospitalized very elderly, because of the very high prevalence of underlying HF and its impact on in-hospital mortality, to identify an underlying cardiac involvement that requires appropriate treatment.

Association Between Lifestyle and Systemic Arterial Hypertension in Young Adults: A National, Survey-Based, Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of systemic arterial hypertension in young adults is increasing worldwide in association with modifiable risk factors. AIM: To assess the prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) in young adults participating to a screening campaign during the World Hypertension Day (17/05/2014), and to determine the possible association with lifestyle factors. METHODS: 493 individuals aged 18-35 years were selected in 13 Italian cities. All participants underwent BP measurement together with the administration of a questionnaire exploring: medical and drug history; traditional cardiovascular risk factors and diseases; dietary pattern; salt intake; sleep habits; mood disorders. RESULTS: High BP (≥140/90 mmHg) was found in 54 individuals, with a prevalence of 11% and awareness of 28%. Those with high BP values were more frequently men, reported a higher BMI and a greater use of corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and had a lower anxiety score. Concerning dietary habits, they were more likely to eat cheese/cold cuts ≥3 times/week, to have their meals out ≥1/day and to eat in fast foods ≥1/week. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, male sex [OR 3.19, 95% CI (1.33-7.63)], BMI [OR 1.14 95% CI (1.04-1.25)], eating in fast foods [OR 3.10 95% CI (1.21-7.95)], and anxiety [OR 0.85 95% CI (0.75-0.97)], were independently associated with high BP. CONCLUSIONS: High BP values were found in 11 % young adults. Male sex, adiposity and alimentary habits were the main determinants of high BP values, indicating that young men are a suitable target for healthy lifestyle interventions.

Associations between body mass index, ambulatory blood pressure findings, and changes in cardiac structure: relevance of pulse and nighttime pressures.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is central in the management of hypertension. Factors related to BP, such as body mass index (BMI), may differently affect particular aspects of 24-hour ABPM profiles. However, the relevance of BMI, the most used index of adiposity, has been underappreciated in the determination of specific aspects of 24-hour ABPM profiles in hypertension. The authors evaluated the association between BMI and aspects of ABPM together with their associations with cardiac remodeling in 1841 patients. A positive association of BMI with 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime pulse pressure in untreated normal weight and overweight/obese hypertensive patients and a positive association of BMI with nocturnal BP parameters in treated overweight/obese hypertensive patients was observed. The clinical relevance of these findings was supported by the positive significant correlations of BMI-related BPs with left ventricular mass and atrial diameter.

Hypertensive heart disease and obesity: a complex interaction between hemodynamic and not hemodynamic factors.

The worldwide prevalence of obesity has nearly doubled, with an increase in obesity-related cardiovascular disease and mortality. Several factors are involved in the genesis of hypertension and hypertensive heart disease (HHD) in overweight/obesity. This review is focused on bridging factors between excessive adiposity and HHD, presenting a unifying hypothesis of vascular-metabolic syndrome, where an "handicap" of the natriuretic peptide system has a central role both in adipocyte dysmetabolism as well as in increased blood pressure and HHD.

Chronic kidney disease is characterized by "double trouble" higher pulse pressure plus night-time systolic blood pressure and more severe cardiac damage.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension plays a key role in chronic kidney disease (CKD), but CKD itself affects the blood pressure (BP) profile. The aim of this study was to assess the association of BP profile with CKD and the presence of cardiac organ damage. METHODS: We studied 1805 patients, referred to our Hypertension Centre, in whom ABPM, blood tests, and echocardiography were clinically indicated. The glomerular filtration rate was estimated (eGFR) using the MDRD equation and CKD was defined as eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Cardiac organ damage was evaluated by echocardiography. RESULTS: Among patients with CKD there were higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) during the night-time, greater prevalence of non-dippers (OR: 1.8) and increased pulse pressure (PP) during 24-hour period, daytime and night-time (all p<0.001). Patients with CKD had a greater LVM/h(2.7) index, and a higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction (all p<0.001). Nocturnal SBP and PP correlated more strongly with cardiac organ damage (p<0.001). Patients with CKD had a greater Treatment Intensity Score (p<0.001) in the absence of a significantly greater BP control. CONCLUSIONS: CKD patients have an altered night-time pressure profile and higher PP that translate into a more severe cardiac organ damage. In spite of a greater intensity of treatment in most patients with CKD, BP control was similar to patients without CKD. Our findings indicate the need of a better antihypertensive therapy in CKD, better selected drugs, dosages and posology to provide optimal coverage of 24 hours and night-time BP.