Prognostic Value of Cardiovascular Biomarkers in the Population.

Importance: Identification of individuals at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease within the population is important to inform primary prevention strategies. Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of routinely available cardiovascular biomarkers when added to established risk factors. Design, Setting, and Participants: Individual-level analysis including data on cardiovascular biomarkers from 28 general population-based cohorts from 12 countries and 4 continents with assessments by participant age. The median follow-up was 11.8 years. Exposure: Measurement of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, B-type natriuretic peptide, or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which included all fatal and nonfatal events. The secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality, heart failure, ischemic stroke, and myocardial infarction. Subdistribution hazard ratios (HRs) for the association of biomarkers and outcomes were calculated after adjustment for established risk factors. The additional predictive value of the biomarkers was assessed using the C statistic and reclassification analyses. Results: The analyses included 164 054 individuals (median age, 53.1 years [IQR, 42.7-62.9 years] and 52.4% were women). There were 17 211 incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events. All biomarkers were significantly associated with incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (subdistribution HR per 1-SD change, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.11-1.16] for high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I; 1.18 [95% CI, 1.12-1.23] for high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T; 1.21 [95% CI, 1.18-1.24] for N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide; 1.14 [95% CI, 1.08-1.22] for B-type natriuretic peptide; and 1.14 [95% CI, 1.12-1.16] for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) and all secondary outcomes. The addition of each single biomarker to a model that included established risk factors improved the C statistic. For 10-year incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in younger people (aged <65 years), the combination of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein resulted in a C statistic improvement from 0.812 (95% CI, 0.8021-0.8208) to 0.8194 (95% CI, 0.8089-0.8277). The combination of these biomarkers also improved reclassification compared with the conventional model. Improvements in risk prediction were most pronounced for the secondary outcomes of heart failure and all-cause mortality. The incremental value of biomarkers was greater in people aged 65 years or older vs younger people. Conclusions and Relevance: Cardiovascular biomarkers were strongly associated with fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events and mortality. The addition of biomarkers to established risk factors led to only a small improvement in risk prediction metrics for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but was more favorable for heart failure and mortality.

Simple cardiovascular risk stratification by replacing total serum cholesterol with anthropometric measures: The MORGAM prospective cohort project.

To assess whether anthropometric measures (body mass index [BMI], waist-hip ratio [WHR], and estimated fat mass [EFM]) are independently associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and to assess their added prognostic value compared with serum total-cholesterol. The study population comprised 109,509 individuals (53% men) from the MORGAM-Project, aged 19-97 years, without established cardiovascular disease, and not on antihypertensive treatment. While BMI was reported in all, WHR and EFM were reported in âˆ¼52,000 participants. Prognostic importance of anthropometric measurements and total-cholesterol was evaluated using adjusted Cox proportional-hazards regression, logistic regression, area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve (AUCROC), and net reclassification improvement (NRI). The primary endpoint was MACE, a composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, or death from coronary heart disease. Age interacted significantly with anthropometric measures and total-cholesterol on MACE (P ≤ 0.003), and therefore age-stratified analyses (<50 versus ≥ 50 years) were performed. BMI, WHR, EFM, and total-cholesterol were independently associated with MACE (P ≤ 0.003) and resulted in significantly positive NRI when added to age, sex, smoking status, and systolic blood pressure. Only total-cholesterol increased discrimination ability (AUCROC difference; P < 0.001). In subjects < 50 years, the prediction model with total-cholesterol was superior to the model including BMI, but not superior to models containing WHR or EFM, while in those ≥ 50 years, the model with total-cholesterol was superior to all models containing anthropometric variables, whether assessed individually or combined. We found a potential role for replacing total-cholesterol with anthropometric measures for MACE-prediction among individuals < 50 years when laboratory measurements are unavailable, but not among those ≥ 50 years.

Iodine Intake from Food and Iodized Salt as Related to Dietary Salt Consumption in the Italian Adult General Population.

Since the Italian iodoprophylaxis strategy is based on the use of iodized salt, we assessed the relationship between dietary salt consumption and iodine intake in the Italian adult population. We estimated the relative contribution given by the use of iodized salt and by the iodine introduced by foods to the total iodine intake. The study population included 2219 adults aged 25-79 years (1138 men and 1081 women) from all Italian regions, participating to the Osservatorio Epidemiologico Cardiovascolare/Health Examination Survey 2008-2012 (OEC/HES), and examined for sodium and iodine intake in the framework of the MINISAL-GIRCSI Programme. Dietary sodium and total iodine intake were assessed by the measurement of 24 h urinary excretion, while the EPIC questionnaire was used to evaluate the iodine intake from food. Sodium and iodine intake were significantly and directly associated, upon accounting for age, sex, and BMI (Spearman rho = 0.298; p < 0.001). The iodine intake increased gradually across quintiles of salt consumption in both men and women (p < 0.001). The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) adequacy level for iodine intake was met by men, but not women, only in the highest quintile of salt consumption. We estimated that approximately 57% of the iodine intake is derived from food and 43% from salt. Iodized salt contributed 24% of the total salt intake, including both discretionary and non-discretionary salt consumption. In conclusion, in this random sample of the Italian general adult population examined in 2008-2012, the total iodine intake secured by iodized salt and the iodine provision by food was insufficient to meet the EFSA adequate iodine intake.

Iodine Intake Estimated by 24 h Urine Collection in the Italian Adult Population: 2008-2012 Survey.

Monitoring the population iodine status is essential for iodine deficiency eradication. This study assessed the average dietary iodine intake and the iodine status of a random sample of the Italian general adult population. The study population included 2378 adults aged 35-79 years (1229 men and 1149 women) from all 20 Italian regions, participating in the Osservatorio Epidemiologico Cardiovascolare/Health Examination Survey 2008-2012 (OEC/HES), and were examined for iodine intake in the framework of the MINISAL-GIRCSI Programme. Dietary iodine intake was assessed by the measurement of 24 h urinary iodine excretion. The median daily iodine intake of the whole population was lower (96 µg/d, interquartile range 51-165) than the daily adequate iodine intake according to both EFSA and WHO recommendation (150 µg/d), with a significantly lower value among women (85 µg/d) compared with men (111 µg/d). Iodine intake diminished with age and increased with BMI (body mass index) in male but not in female participants, without achieving the adequate intake in any sex, age, or BMI category. In this random sample of Italian general adult population examined in 2008-2012, iodine intake still remained lower than the recommended values despite the implementation of a strategy of iodoprophylaxis based on salt iodization in 2005. These data represent a valuable reference for future monitoring of iodine status in our country.

Trends in cardiovascular diseases burden and vascular risk factors in Italy: The Global Burden of Disease study 1990-2017.

AIMS: An exhaustive and updated estimation of cardiovascular disease burden and vascular risk factors is still lacking in European countries. This study aims to fill this gap assessing the global Italian cardiovascular disease burden and its changes from 1990 to 2017 and comparing the Italian situation with European countries. METHODS: All accessible data sources from the 2017 Global Burden of Disease study were used to estimate the cardiovascular disease prevalence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years and cardiovascular disease attributable risk factors burden in Italy from 1990 to 2017. Furthermore, we compared the cardiovascular disease burden within the 28 European Union countries. RESULTS: Since 1990, we observed a significant decrease of cardiovascular disease burden, particularly in the age-standardised prevalence (-12.7%), mortality rate (-53.8%), and disability-adjusted life years rate (-55.5%). Similar improvements were observed in the majority of European countries. However, we found an increase in all-ages prevalence of cardiovascular diseases from 5.75 m to 7.49 m Italian residents. Cardiovascular diseases still remain the first cause of death (34.8% of total mortality). More than 80% of the cardiovascular disease burden could be attributed to known modifiable risk factors such as high systolic blood pressure, dietary risks, high low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and impaired kidney function. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a decline in cardiovascular mortality and disability-adjusted life years, which reflects the success in reducing disability, premature death and early incidence of cardiovascular diseases. However, the burden of cardiovascular diseases is still high. An approach that includes the cooperation and coordination of all stakeholders of the Italian National Health System is required to further reduce this burden.

A report on the Gubbio Study thirty-eight years after its inception.

BACKGROUND: The Gubbio Population Study (Gubbio Study) is a prospective epidemiological study carried out on the resident population of the city of Gubbio, Perugia, Italy. The study's objectives were both of public health nature (the control and awareness of hypertension), and experimental (the role of electrolyte handling at the cellular membrane level and its relation to hypertension). Additional objectives were addressed during the 30+ year activity of the study, in particular the role of kidney dysfunction. METHODS: Three active screenings (exams) were performed beginning 38 years ago: the first (Exam 1) in 1983-1986 (5376 individuals - response rate 92%) and two follow-up exams, were completed between 1989-92 (Exam 2) and 2001-2007 (Exam 3). Data collected include demographics, personal and family medical history, lifestyle (smoking, alcohol, diet and physical activity), education, type of work, anthropometry, blood pressure, pulse rate, blood biochemistry, urine biochemistry and special investigations on cellular electrolyte handling. Additional measurements were performed in selected subgroups of participants. Data on hospitalizations, mortality and causes of death were collected after the completion of Exam 1. RESULTS: The main results of the study, presented in this paper, identify new variables to consider in screening for cardiovascular risk factors, and show the impact that the focused and coordinated effort of a longitudinal program can have on a free-living population'. CONCLUSIONS: The data are of relevance to Public Health and to experimental medicine alike and vouch to the importance of the control of risk factors at the community level.

Predictive Importance of Blood Pressure Characteristics With Increasing Age in Healthy Men and Women: The MORGAM Project.

[Figure: see text].

The Mediterranean diet from past to future: Key concepts from the second "Ancel Keys" International Seminar.

The year 2020 celebrated the tenth anniversary of the recognition of the Mediterranean Diet as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee. This event represented a milestone in the history of nutrition, as the Mediterranean diet was the first traditional food practice to receive such award. Since then, a lot has been discussed not only on the beneficial aspects of the Mediterranean diet, but also on its complex role as a lifestyle model that includes a set of skills, knowledge and intercultural dialogue. This process ended up with the recognition in 2019 of Mediterranean diet as a possibly universal model of healthy diet from the EAT-Lancet Commission. These concepts were widely debated at the 2019 "Ancel Keys" International Seminar, held in Ascea (Italy) (for more information see: www.mediterraneandietseminar.org) with the aim to stimulate interest and awareness of a young group of participants on the current problems inherent to the effective implementation of the Mediterranean diet. The present article collects the contributions of several lecturers at the Seminar on key issues such as methodological and experimental approach, sustainability, molecular aspects in disease prevention, future exploitation, without neglecting a historical view of the Seven Countries Study. From the Seminar conclusions emerged a still vibrant and modern role of Mediterranean diet. The years to come will see national and international efforts to reduce the barriers that limit adherence to Mediterranean diet in order to plan for multi-factorial and targeted interventions that would guide our populations to a sustainable healthy living.

Trend in potassium intake and Na/K ratio in the Italian adult population between the 2008 and 2018 CUORE project surveys.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Low potassium intake, in addition to high sodium, has been associated with higher risk of hypertension and CVD. The Study assessed habitual potassium intake and sodium/potassium ratio of the Italian adult population from 2008 to 2012 to 2018-2019 based on 24-h urine collection, in the framework of the CUORE Project/MINISAL-GIRCSI/MENO SALE PIU' SALUTE national surveys. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data were from cross-sectional surveys of randomly selected age-and-sex stratified samples of resident persons aged 35-74 years in 10 (out of 20) Italian regions. Urinary electrolyte and creatinine measurements were performed in a central laboratory. Analyses considered 942 men and 916 women, examined in 2008-2012, and 967 men and 1010 women, examined in 2018-2019. In 2008-2012, the age-standardized mean of potassium intake (urinary potassium accounts for 70% of potassium intake) was 3147 mg (95% CI 3086-3208) in men and 2784 mg (2727-2841) in women, whereas in 2018-2019, it was 3043 mg (2968-3118) and 2561 mg (2508-2614) respectively. In 2008-2012, age-adjusted prevalence of persons with an adequate potassium intake (i.e. ≥ 3510 mg/day) was 31% (95% CI 28-34%) for men and 18% (16-21%) for women; in 2018-2019, it was 26% (23-29%) and 12% (10-14%) respectively. The sodium/potassium ratio significantly decreased both in men and women. CONCLUSIONS: The average daily potassium intake of the Italian general adult population remains lower than the WHO and EFSA recommended level. These results suggest the need of a revision to strengthen initiatives for the promotion of an adequate potassium intake at the population level.

Trend of salt intake measured by 24-h urine collection in the Italian adult population between the 2008 and 2018 CUORE project surveys.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) recommends a 30% relative reduction in mean population salt/sodium intake. The study assessed the trend in the habitual salt intake of the Italian adult population from 2008 to 2012 to 2018-2019 based on 24-h urinary sodium excretion, in the framework of the CUORE Project/MINISAL-GIRCSI/MENO SALE PIU' SALUTE national surveys. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data were from cross-sectional surveys of randomly selected age and sex-stratified samples of resident persons aged 35-74 years in 10 (out of 20) Italian Regions distributed in North, Centre and South of the Country. Urinary sodium and creatinine measurements were carried out in a central laboratory. The analyses included 942 men and 916 women examined in 2008-2012, and 967 men and 1010 women examined in 2018-2019. The age-standardized mean daily population salt (sodium chloride) intake was 10.8 g (95% CI 10.5-11.1) in men and 8.3 g (8.1-8.5) in women in 2008-2012 and respectively 9.5 g (9.3-9.8) and 7.2 g (7.0-7.4) in 2018-2019. A statistically significant (p<0.0001) salt intake reduction was thus observed over 10 years for both genders, and all age, body mass index (BMI) and educational classes. CONCLUSIONS: The average daily salt intake of the Italian general adult population remains higher than the WHO recommended level, but a significant reduction of 12% in men and 13% in women has occurred in the past ten years. These results encourage the initiatives undertaken by the Italian Ministry of Health aimed at the reduction of salt intake at the population level.

Burden of Neurological Disorders Across the US From 1990-2017: A Global Burden of Disease Study.

Importance: Accurate and up-to-date estimates on incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (burden) of neurological disorders are the backbone of evidence-based health care planning and resource allocation for these disorders. It appears that no such estimates have been reported at the state level for the US. Objective: To present burden estimates of major neurological disorders in the US states by age and sex from 1990 to 2017. Design, Setting, and Participants: This is a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 study. Data on incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of major neurological disorders were derived from the GBD 2017 study of the 48 contiguous US states, Alaska, and Hawaii. Fourteen major neurological disorders were analyzed: stroke, Alzheimer disease and other dementias, Parkinson disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, migraine, tension-type headache, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, brain and other nervous system cancers, meningitis, encephalitis, and tetanus. Exposures: Any of the 14 listed neurological diseases. Main Outcome and Measure: Absolute numbers in detail by age and sex and age-standardized rates (with 95% uncertainty intervals) were calculated. Results: The 3 most burdensome neurological disorders in the US in terms of absolute number of DALYs were stroke (3.58 [95% uncertainty interval [UI], 3.25-3.92] million DALYs), Alzheimer disease and other dementias (2.55 [95% UI, 2.43-2.68] million DALYs), and migraine (2.40 [95% UI, 1.53-3.44] million DALYs). The burden of almost all neurological disorders (in terms of absolute number of incident, prevalent, and fatal cases, as well as DALYs) increased from 1990 to 2017, largely because of the aging of the population. Exceptions for this trend included traumatic brain injury incidence (-29.1% [95% UI, -32.4% to -25.8%]); spinal cord injury prevalence (-38.5% [95% UI, -43.1% to -34.0%]); meningitis prevalence (-44.8% [95% UI, -47.3% to -42.3%]), deaths (-64.4% [95% UI, -67.7% to -50.3%]), and DALYs (-66.9% [95% UI, -70.1% to -55.9%]); and encephalitis DALYs (-25.8% [95% UI, -30.7% to -5.8%]). The different metrics of age-standardized rates varied between the US states from a 1.2-fold difference for tension-type headache to 7.5-fold for tetanus; southeastern states and Arkansas had a relatively higher burden for stroke, while northern states had a relatively higher burden of multiple sclerosis and eastern states had higher rates of Parkinson disease, idiopathic epilepsy, migraine and tension-type headache, and meningitis, encephalitis, and tetanus. Conclusions and Relevance: There is a large and increasing burden of noncommunicable neurological disorders in the US, with up to a 5-fold variation in the burden of and trends in particular neurological disorders across the US states. The information reported in this article can be used by health care professionals and policy makers at the national and state levels to advance their health care planning and resource allocation to prevent and reduce the burden of neurological disorders.

Cardiac Troponin I and Incident Stroke in European Cohorts: Insights From the BiomarCaRE Project.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stroke is a common cause of death and a leading cause of disability and morbidity. Stroke risk assessment remains a challenge, but circulating biomarkers may improve risk prediction. Controversial evidence is available on the predictive ability of troponin concentrations and the risk of stroke in the community. Furthermore, reports on the predictive value of troponin concentrations for different stroke subtypes are scarce. METHODS: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hsTnI) concentrations were assessed in 82 881 individuals (median age, 50.7 years; 49.7% men) free of stroke or myocardial infarction at baseline from 9 prospective European community cohorts. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to determine relative risks, followed by measures of discrimination and reclassification using 10-fold cross-validation to control for overoptimism. Follow-up was based upon linkage with national hospitalization registries and causes of death registries. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 12.7 years, 3033 individuals were diagnosed with incident nonfatal or fatal stroke (n=1654 ischemic strokes, n=612 hemorrhagic strokes, and n=767 indeterminate strokes). In multivariable regression models, hsTnI concentrations were associated with overall stroke (hazard ratio per 1-SD increase, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.10-1.21]), ischemic stroke (hazard ratio, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.09-1.21]), and hemorrhagic stroke (hazard ratio, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.01-1.20]). Adding hsTnI concentrations to classical cardiovascular risk factors (C indices, 0.809, 0.840, and 0.736 for overall, ischemic, and hemorrhagic stroke, respectively) increased the C index significantly but modestly. In individuals with an intermediate 10-year risk (5%-20%), the net reclassification improvement for overall stroke was 0.038 (P=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated hsTnI concentrations are associated with an increased risk of incident stroke in the community, irrespective of stroke subtype. Adding hsTnI concentrations to classical risk factors only modestly improved estimation of 10-year risk of stroke in the overall cohort but might be of some value in individuals at an intermediate risk.

The Perceived Health Status from Young Adults to Elderly: Results of the MEHM Questionnaire within the CUORE Project Survey 2008-2012.

Improving healthy life years requires an effective understanding and management of the process of healthy ageing. Assessing the perceived health status and its determinants is a relevant step in this process. This study explored the potentialities of the Minimum European Health Module (MEHM) to cope with this critical issue. Investigation was conducted on 4798 Italian residents (49.7% women, aged 35-79 years), participating in the CUORE Project Health Examination Survey 2008-2012. The three MEHM questions-perceived health status, chronic morbidity and activity limitations-were examined also in association with living context, seasonality, marital status and level of education. A higher prevalence of health status negative perception was associated with older age (9% and 24% respectively in men and women aged 35-44 years; 46% and 61% respectively in men and women aged 75-79 years). In women, this negative perception was higher than in men in any age group, and reached 50% in the 65-69 age group, 10 years earlier than in men. For both sexes, the level of education had a strong impact on this negative perception (odds ratio 2.32 and 2.72 in men and women respectively), while "living alone" played a greater impact in women than in men. MEHM activity limitations subscale was as much as 30% higher for questionnaires answered during the hottest months. This study identified potential predictors of perceived health status in adults aged 35-79 years, which can be used to target interventions aimed at improving self-perceived health status.

Combined Influence of Waist and Hip Circumference on Risk of Death in a Large Cohort of European and Australian Adults.

Background Waist circumference and hip circumference are both strongly associated with risk of death; however, their joint association has rarely been investigated. Methods and Results The MONICA Risk, Genetics, Archiving, and Monograph (MORGAM) Project was conducted in 30 cohorts from 11 countries; 90 487 men and women, aged 30 to 74 years, predominantly white, with no history of cardiovascular disease, were recruited in 1986 to 2010 and followed up for up to 24 years. Hazard ratios were estimated using sex-specific Cox models, stratified by cohort, with age as the time scale. Models included baseline categorical obesity measures, age, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive drugs, smoking, and diabetes mellitus. A total of 9105 all-cause deaths were recorded during a median follow-up of 10 years. Hazard ratios for all-cause death presented J- or U-shaped associations with most obesity measures. With waist and hip circumference included in the same model, for all hip sizes, having a smaller waist was strongly associated with lower risk of death, except for men with the smallest hips. In addition, among those with smaller waists, hip size was strongly negatively associated with risk of death, with ≈20% more people identified as being at increased risk compared with waist circumference alone. Conclusions A more complex relationship between hip circumference, waist circumference, and risk of death is revealed when both measures are considered simultaneously. This is particularly true for individuals with smaller waists, where having larger hips was protective. Considering both waist and hip circumference in the clinical setting could help to best identify those at increased risk of death.

[The Health Examination Survey at regional level: the Emilia-Romagna Region (Northern Italy) example]. / Health examination survey a livello regionale: l'esempio dell'Emilia-Romagna.

OBJECTIVES: to assess time trend of lifestyles, cardiovascular risk factors, and prevalence of high-risk conditions in random samples of the general adult population residing in Emilia-Romagna, examined in two cross-sectional surveys conducted within the Epidemiological Cardiovascular Observatory (OEC 1998-2002) and the Epidemiological Cardiovascular Observatory/Health Examination Survey (OEC/HES 2008-2012). DESIGN: cross-sectional surveys conducted on random samples of general adult population stratified by gender and age group in some municipalities of Emilia-Romagna. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: in Emilia-Romagna, 341 males and 354 females were examined in 1998-2002 and 307 males and 300 females were examined in 2008-2012. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: cardiovascular risk factors, high risk conditions, and proportion of population following healthy lifestyles recommendations. RESULTS: in the second survey, prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and mean values of total and LDL cholesterol were higher. Less than 30% of the sample consumes adequate quantities of vegetables and fish; cheeses, sausages, and sweets are overconsumed, as a higher cholesterol intake. CONCLUSIONS: increased in total and LDL cholesterol are partly due to the reach diet, as suggested by nutrient consumption. Appropriate preventive actions for the improvement of the lifestyles and lipid profile in the general population are recommended.

Does Estimated Pulse Wave Velocity Add Prognostic Information?: MORGAM Prospective Cohort Project.

The Reference Values for Arterial Stiffness Collaboration has derived an equation using age and mean blood pressure to estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV), which predicted cardiovascular events independently of Systematic COoronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) and Framingham Risk Score. The study aim was to investigate the independent association between ePWV and clinical outcomes in 107 599 apparently healthy subjects (53% men) aged 19 to 97 years from the MORGAM Project who were included between 1982 and 2002 in 38 cohorts from 11 countries. Using multiple Cox-regression analyses, the predictive value of ePWV was calculated adjusting for country of inclusion and either SCORE, Framingham Risk Score, or traditional cardiovascular risk factors (age, sex, smoking, systolic blood pressure, body mass index [BMI], total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol). Cardiovascular mortality consisted of fatal stroke, fatal myocardial infarction, or coronary death, and the composite cardiovascular end point consisted of stroke, myocardial infarction, or coronary death. Model discrimination was assessed using Harrell's C-statistic. Adjusting for country and logSCORE or Framingham Risk Score, ePWV was associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.23 [95% CI 1.20-1.25] per m/s or 1.32 [1.29-1.34]), cardiovascular mortality (1.26 [1.21-1.32] or 1.35 [1.31-1.40]), and composite cardiovascular end point (1.19 [1.16-1.22] or 1.23 [1.20-1.25]; all P<0.001). However, after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, ePWV was only associated with all-cause mortality (1.15 [1.08-1.22], P<0.001) and not with cardiovascular mortality (0.97 [0.91-1.03]) nor composite cardiovascular end point (1.10 [0.97-1.26]). The areas under the last 3 receiver operator characteristic curves remained unchanged when adding ePWV. Elevated ePWV was associated with subsequent mortality and cardiovascular morbidity independently of systematic coronary risk evaluation and Framingham Risk Score but not independently of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Nutrients Intake in Individuals with Hypertension, Dyslipidemia, and Diabetes: An Italian Survey.

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether nutrients intake in an Italian adult population receiving pharmacological treatment for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes are within the recommended values proposed by dietary guidelines. Cross-sectional data from the Cardiovascular Epidemiology Observatory/Health Examination Survey in 8462 individuals 35-79 years were used. Food consumption was assessed with a self-administered semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Dietary sodium and potassium intakes were measured in 24-hour urine collection. Recommendations from WHO were used for salt and potassium intakes, those from the Diabetes and Nutrition Study Group for diabetes, and those from the European Society of Cardiology for hypertension and dyslipidemia. Salt intake in urine collection of participants receiving treatment for hypertension was 11.1 ± 4.0 g/day for men and 8.6 ± 3.3 g/day for women, higher than recommended. In participants treated for dyslipidemia, mean saturated fat intake was 11.4% and 11.6% total Kcal in men and women respectively, higher than recommended, while cholesterol intake was higher only in men (365.9 ± 149.6 mg/day). In both men and women receiving treatment for diabetes, mean intake of saturated fats (12.3% and 12.2% of total Kcal), simple carbohydrates (17.5% and 19.8% of total Kcal) and cholesterol (411.0 ± 150.4 and 322.7 ± 111.1 mg/day) were above the recommendations, while fiber intake was below (19.5 ± 6.3 and 17.5 ± 6.2 mg/day). Overall, 70% to 80% of participants treated for these conditions received advice from family doctors on dietary management; however, nutrition is far from being optimal.

Prevalence and Correlates of Statin Underuse for Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Older Adults 65-79 Years of Age: The Italian Health Examination Survey 2008-2012.

Limited data are available on the prevalence and correlates of statin use for secondary cardiovascular (CV) prevention in the older adult population. We used data of older adults (65-79 years) with established atherosclerotic CV disease from the cross-sectional Italian Health Examination Survey 2008-2012 to address this issue. Lifestyles, CV risk factors, chronic diseases, and therapies were assessed using standardized procedures. A comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed to evaluate cognitive function, disability in basic activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living, mobility, and polypharmacy. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify independent correlates of statin use. A total of 392 participants (mean age 72.1 ± 4.4 years, 61.5% men) were considered for this analysis. Coronary heart disease was identified in 67.1% of participants, cerebrovascular disease in 23.5%, and peripheral artery disease (PAD) in 18.1%. One hundred ninety (48.5%) were statin users. By multiple regression analysis, functional disability (odds ratio [OR] = 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.71-0.92; p = 0.002), cognitive impairment (OR = 0.87; 95% CI = 0.78-0.98; p = 0.018), and polypharmacy (OR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.75-0.98; p = 0.035) predicted statin nonuse, whereas having hypertension (OR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.05-1.34; p = 0.005), diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.14; 95% CI = 1.03-1.27; p = 0.013), or a previous myocardial revascularization (OR = 1.31; 95% CI = 1.16-1.48; p < 0.001) predicted statin use. Significant interaction terms were observed between cerebrovascular disease, PAD, cognitive impairment, and disability in predicting statin nonuse. Statin underuse in older adults aged 65-79 years with CV disease, and thus suboptimal secondary CV prevention, is highly prevalent despite current guidelines and recommendations. Common geriatric conditions are associated with statin nonuse. Such results support the need for improving the awareness of statin treatment for secondary CV prevention.

Association Between Antidepressant Medication Use and Prevalence and Control of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The Italian Health Examination Survey 2008-2012.

Background: To assess the association of antidepressant (AD) medication use with prevalence and control of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. Methods: Data of older adults from the population-based Italian Osservatorio Epidemiologico Cardiovascolare/Health Examination Survey (OEC/HES) Study 2008-2012 were used. CV risk factors were measured using standardized procedures. Information on clinical features, lifestyles, and medications was collected using standardized questionnaires. Logistic regression models were elaborated to assess associations between AD use and prevalence and control of CV risk factors. Results: Around 2549 participants (age 71.4 ± 4.2 years, 51.3% men) were studied; 268 (10.5%) were AD users. Of these, 72.4% used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). AD users had less favorable CV risk factor profile and were less likely to achieve control of blood pressure and total cholesterol. After multiple adjustment for potentially confounding variables, AD use was associated with greater likelihood of having diabetes (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02-1.10, P = 0.008), hypertension (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.05-1.20, P = 0.003), and hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.04-1.14, P < 0.001). Among participants treated for hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, AD use was associated with poorer control of BP (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.03-1.12, P = 0.001) and cholesterol (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.01-1.12, P = 0.021). Results persisted virtually unchanged when analyses were restricted to participants on SSRI. Conclusions: AD use was associated with greater prevalence and poorer control of traditional risk factors for CV disease in a population-based sample of older adults. Such results highlight the need for surveillance of CV risk factors and promotion of healthy lifestyles in older adults with psychopathology and, in particular, in those under AD treatment.