Long-term survival following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in women and men: Influence of comorbidities, social characteristics, and resuscitation characteristics.

AIM: We aimed to study sex differences in long-term survival following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) compared to the general population, and determined associations for comorbidities, social characteristics, and resuscitation characteristics with survival in women and men separately. METHODS: We followed 2,452 Danish (530 women and 1,922 men) and 1,255 Dutch (259 women and 996 men) individuals aged ≥25 years, who survived 30 days post-OHCA in 2009-2015, until 2019. Using Poisson regression analyses we assessed sex differences in long-term survival and sex-specific associations of characteristics mutually adjusted, and compared survival with an age- and sex-matched general population. The potential predictive value was assessed with the Concordance-index. RESULTS: Post-OHCA survival was longer in women than men (adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) for mortality 0.74, 95%CI 0.61-0.89 in Denmark; 0.86, 95%CI 0.65-1.15 in the Netherlands). Both sexes had a shorter survival than the general population (e.g., IRR for mortality 3.07, 95%CI 2.55-3.70 and IRR 2.15, 95%CI 1.95-2.37 in Danish women and men). Higher age, glucose lowering medication, no dyslipidaemia medication, unemployment, and a non-shockable initial rhythm were associated with shorter survival in both sexes. Cardiovascular medication, depression/anxiety medication, living alone, low household income, and residential OHCA location were associated with shorter survival in men. Not living with children and bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation provision were associated with shorter survival in women. The Concordance-indexes ranged from 0.51 to 0.63. CONCLUSIONS: Women survived longer than men post-OHCA. Several characteristics were associated with long-term post-OHCA survival, with some sex-specific characteristics. In both sexes, these characteristics had low predictive potential.

Termination of resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in women and men: An ESCAPE-NET project.

AIM: Women have less favorable resuscitation characteristics than men. We investigated whether the Advanced Life Support Termination of Resuscitation rule (ALS-TOR) performs equally in women and men. Additionally, we studied whether adding or removing criteria from the ALS-TOR improved classification into survivors and non-survivors. METHODS: We analyzed 6,931 female and 14,548 male out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients from Dutch and Swedish registries, and validated in 10,772 female and 21,808 male Danish OHCA patients. Performance measures were calculated for ALS-TOR in relation to 30-day survival. Recursive partitioning analysis was performed with the ALS-TOR criteria, as well as age, comorbidities, and additional resuscitation characteristics (e.g. initial rhythm, OHCA location). Finally, we explored if we could reduce the number of ALS-TOR criteria without loss of prognostic value. RESULTS: The ALS-TOR had a specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of ≥99% in both women and men (e.g. PPV 99.9 in men). Classification by recursive partitioning analysis showed a high sensitivity but a PPV below 99%, thereby exceeding the acceptable miss rate of 1%. A combination of no return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) before transport to the hospital and unwitnessed OHCA resulted in nearly equal specificity and PPV, higher sensitivity, and a lower transport rate to the hospital than the ALS-TOR. CONCLUSION: For both women and men, the ALS-TOR has high specificity and low miss rate for predicting 30-day OHCA survival. We could not improve the classification with additional characteristics. Employing a simplified version may decrease the number of futile transports to the hospital.

Is early menopause a potential criterion for cardiovascular risk screening to detect high risk in a multi-ethnic population? The Helius study.

BACKGROUND: Women at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) may be missed with current eligibility criteria for CVD risk screening, particularly those from ethnic minority groups, among whom high risk is prevalent at a younger age. Early menopause (EM; menopause before 45 years) is associated with increased risk of CVD, and may be a potential eligibility criterion for CVD risk screening. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the contribution of EM to current criteria from patient history (having a family history of CVD, current smoking, obesity and age over 50 years) for identifying women eligible for CVD risk screening in a multi-ethnic population. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used baseline data (2011-2015) from 4512 women aged 45-70 years of Dutch, South-Asian Surinamese, African Surinamese, Ghanaian, Turkish and Moroccan ethnic origin from the HELIUS study (Amsterdam, Netherlands). Models based on current eligibility criteria with and without EM were compared on area under the curve (AUC) with regard to estimated 10-year CVD risk using the Dutch SCORE. Overall, models with EM had a higher AUC, but changes were not statistically significant. In our total sample of women aged between 45 and 70 years, the AUC changed from 0.70 (95%CI 0.69-0.72) to 0.71 (95%CI 0.69-0.72). Among women aged 45-50 years the AUC changed from 0.66 (95%CI 0.58-0.74) to 0.68 (95%CI 0.59-0.74). Results were consistent across ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of EM to current eligibility criteria did not improve the detection of women at high CVD risk in a multi-ethnic sample of women aged 45-70 years.

Differences in the prevalence of intermediate hyperglycaemia and the associated incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus by ethnicity: The HELIUS study.

AIMS: We aimed to describe differences in the prevalence of intermediate hyperglycaemia (IH) between six ethnic groups. Moreover, to investigate differences in the association of the classifications of IH with the incidence of T2DM between ethnic groups. METHODS: We included 3759 Dutch, 2826 African Surinamese, 1646 Ghanaian, 2571 Turkish, 2691 Moroccan and 1970 South Asian Surinamese origin participants of the HELIUS study. IH was measured by fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1c. We calculated age-, BMI and physical-activity-adjusted prevalence of IH by sex, and calculated age and sex-adjusted hazard ratios (HR)for the association between IH and T2DM in each ethnic group. RESULTS: The prevalence of IH was higher among ethnic minority groups (68.6-41.7%) than the Dutch majority (34.9%). The prevalence of IH categories varied across subgroups. Combined increased FPG and HbA1c was most prevalent in South-Asian Surinamese men (27.6%, 95 %CI: 24.5-30.9%), and in Dutch women (4.2%, 95 %CI: 3.4-5.1%). The HRs for T2DM for each IH-classification did not differ significantly between ethnic groups. HRs were highest for the combined classification, e.g., HR = 8.1, 95 %CI: 2.5-26.6 in the Dutch. CONCLUSION: We found a higher prevalence of IH in ethnic minority versus majority groups, but did not find evidence for a differential association of IH with incident T2DM.

Patient perspectives on priorities for research on conventional and sex- and gender-related cardiovascular risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Recently, cardiovascular disease (CVD) research has focused on sex- and gender-related cardiovascular risk factors, in addition to conventional risk factors. This raises the question which factors are perceived by the target group (patients with CVD) as priorities for further research. METHODS: We carried out a survey to study priority setting for more research into conventional and sex- and gender-related risk factors according to 980 men and women with CVD or those at increased risk of CVD in the Netherlands. Data on conventional and sex- and gender-related risk factors were descriptively analysed, stratified by gender group. RESULTS: The most frequently prioritised conventional factors according to men were heritability, overweight and unhealthy diet, while women most frequently listed stress, heritability and hypertension. The most frequently prioritised sex- and gender-related risk factors were depression or depressive feelings, migraine and having many caretaking responsibilities (men), and pregnancy complications, contraceptive pill use and early age at menopause (women). New research on sex- and gender-related risk factors was perceived roughly as relevant as that on conventional factors by men (mean 7.4 and 8.3 on a 1-10 scale, respectively) and women (8.2 and 8.6, respectively). Ethnic and gender minority groups placed more emphasis on risk factors related to sociocultural aspects (gender) than the majority group. CONCLUSION: Men and women with CVD or those at increased risk of CVD perceived new research on conventional and sex- and gender-related risk factors as a priority. These findings may guide researchers and funders in further prioritising new CVD research.

Ethnic differences in metabolic cardiovascular risk among normal weight individuals: Implications for cardiovascular risk screening. The HELIUS study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors may occur among a substantial proportion of normal weight individuals, particularly among some ethnic minorities. It is unknown how many of these individuals would be missed by commonly applied eligibility criteria for cardiovascular risk screening. Thus, we aim to determine cardiovascular risk and eligibility for cardiovascular risk screening among normal weight individuals of different ethnic backgrounds. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using the HELIUS study (Amsterdam, The Netherlands), we determined cardiovascular risk among 6910 normal weight individuals of Dutch, South-Asian Surinamese, African Surinamese, Ghanaian, Moroccan and Turkish background. High cardiovascular risk was approximated by high metabolic risk based on blood pressure, HDL, triglycerides and fasting glucose. Eligibility criteria for screening were derived from Dutch CVD prevention guidelines and include age ≥ 50 y, family history of CVD, or current smoking. Ethnic group comparisons were made using logistic regression. Age-adjusted proportions of high metabolic risk ranged from 12.6% to 38.4% (men) and from 2.7% to 11.5% (women). This prevalence was higher among most ethnic minorities than the Dutch, especially among women. For most ethnic groups, 79.9%-86.7% of individuals with high metabolic risk were eligible for cardiovascular risk screening. Exceptions were Ghanaian women (58.8%), Moroccan men (70.9%) and Moroccan women (45.0%), although age-adjusted proportions did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Even among normal weight individuals, high cardiovascular metabolic risk is more common among ethnic minorities than among the majority population. Regardless of ethnicity, most normal weight individuals with increased risk are eligible for cardiovascular risk screening.

Ethnic disparities in the association of impaired fasting glucose with the 10-year cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: Evidence of ethnic disparities in the conversion of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes is scarce. We studied the association of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) with the 10-year cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes in three ethnic groups. METHODS: We analyzed data for 90 South-Asian Surinamese, 190 African-Surinamese, and 176 ethnic Dutch that were collected in the periods 2001-2003 and 2011-2012. We excluded those with type 2 diabetes or missing FPG data. We defined baseline IFG as FPG of 5.7-6.9 mmol/L. We defined type 2 diabetes at follow-up as FPG ≥ 7.0 mmol/L, HbA1c ≥ 48 mmol/mol (6.5%), or self-reported type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: 10-Year cumulative incidences of type 2 diabetes were: South-Asian Surinamese, 18.9%; African-Surinamese, 13.7%; ethnic Dutch, 4.5% (p<0.05). The adjusted association of baseline IFG and FPG with the 10-year cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes was stronger for South-Asian Surinamese than for African-Surinamese and ethnic Dutch. The IFG (compared to normoglycaemia) ORs were 11.1 [3.0-40.8] for South-Asian Surinamese, 5.1 [2.0-13.3] for African-Surinamese, and 2.2 [0.5-10.1] for ethnic Dutch. CONCLUSIONS: The 10-year cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes was higher and associations with baseline IFG and FPG were stronger among South-Asian Surinamese and African-Surinamese than among ethnic Dutch. Our findings confirm the high risk of type 2 diabetes in South-Asians and suggest more rapid conversion in populations of South-Asian origin and (to a lesser extent) African origin than European origin.

Heterogeneity in sex differences in the metabolic syndrome in Dutch white, Surinamese African and South Asian populations.

AIM: To determine whether sex differences in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components differ among different ethnic groups. METHODS: A random sample of non-institutionalized adults aged 35-60 years in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (white Dutch men n = 242, women n = 244; African-Surinamese men n = 193, women n = 399, Hindustani-Surinamese men n = 149, women n = 186). The metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. RESULTS: In all ethnic groups, the prevalence of central obesity and reduced HDL cholesterol were higher in women than in men, but the prevalence of elevated blood pressure, fasting glucose and triglycerides were lower in women than in men. However, the magnitude of the differences varied. The sex differences in the prevalence of central obesity and reduced HDL cholesterol were particularly larger in ethnic minority groups, especially in African-Surinamese than in white Dutch. After adjustment for education, smoking, alcohol intake and physical activity, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was lower in white Dutch women than in white Dutch men (adjusted prevalence ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.52-0.94). By contrast, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was higher in African-Surinamese women than in African-Surinamese men (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.56, 95% CI 1.12-2.18). Among Hindustani-Surinamese, men and women had a similar prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.00, 95% CI 0.76-1.31). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest different patterns in sex differences in the metabolic syndrome among the ethnic groups. The relatively high prevalence of central obesity in African-Surinamese women may underlie their higher prevalence of the metabolic syndrome. Strategies to improve metabolic profiles among African-Surinamese and white Dutch people need to take sex differences into account.

The association of physical inactivity with Type 2 diabetes among different ethnic groups.

AIMS: To study differences in the association between physical inactivity and Type 2 diabetes among subjects from different ethnic groups. METHODS: We analysed data on 508 Caucasian, 596 African-Surinamese and 339 Hindustani-Surinamese participants, aged 35-60 years, in the population-based, cross-sectional Surinamese in the Netherlands Study on Health and Ethnicity (SUNSET) study. Physical inactivity was defined as the lowest quartile of reported activity, measured with the validated Short Questionnaire to Assess Health-Enhancing Physical Activity. Type 2 diabetes was defined as fasting plasma glucose levels ≥7.0 mmol/l or self-reported diagnosis. RESULTS: Physical inactivity was associated with Type 2 diabetes (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.12-2.38) in the total group after adjustment for sex, age, BMI, ethnicity, resting heart rate, hypertension, smoking, history of cardiovascular disease, having a first-degree relative with Type 2 diabetes and educational level. However, this association was only significant in Caucasians (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.37-7.30). Moreover, it appeared stronger in Caucasians than in Hindustani-Surinamese (OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.78-2.63) and African-Surinamese (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.58-2.19), although the P-value for interaction was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Physical inactivity was associated with Type 2 diabetes in the total group after adjustment for multiple risk factors, but this association was only significant in Caucasians. Also, it appeared stronger in Caucasians than in Hindustani and African-Surinamese, but formal testing for interaction provided no further evidence. These findings confirm the importance of exercise, but suggest that potential health gain may differ between ethnic groups. However, it should be noted that, in general, promotion of physical activity in populations with an increased a priori risk of Type 2 diabetes, remains of the utmost importance.

Dutch versus English advantage in the epidemic of central and generalised obesity is not shared by ethnic minority groups: comparative secondary analysis of cross-sectional data.

BACKGROUND: Ethnic minority groups in Western European countries tend to have higher levels of overweight than the majority populations for reasons that are poorly understood. Investigating relative differences between countries could enable an investigation of the importance of national context in determining these inequalities. OBJECTIVE: To explore: (1) whether Indian and African origin populations in England and the Netherlands are similarly disadvantaged compared with the White populations in terms of the prevalence of overweight and central obesity; (2) whether the previously known Dutch advantage of relatively low overweight prevalence is also observed in Dutch ethnic minority groups and (3) the contribution of health behaviour and socio-economic position to the differences observed. METHODS: Secondary analyses of population-based studies of 16 406 participants from England and the Netherlands. Prevalence ratios were estimated using regression models. RESULTS: Except for African men, ethnic minority groups in both countries had higher rates of overweight and central obesity than their White counterparts. However, the Dutch minority groups were relatively more disadvantaged than English minority groups as compared with the majority populations. The Dutch advantage of the low prevalence of obesity was only seen in White men and women and African men. In contrast, English-Indian (prevalence ratio=0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.81-0.93) and English-Caribbean (prevalence ratio=0.82, 95% CI: 0.76-0.89) women were less centrally obese than their Dutch equivalents. The Dutch-Indian men were very similar to the English-Indian men. The contribution of health behaviour and socio-economic position to the observed differences were small. CONCLUSION: Contrary to the patterns in White groups, the Dutch ethnic minority women were more obese than their English equivalents. More work is needed to identify factors that may contribute to these observed differences.

Sex difference in blood pressure among South Asian diaspora in Europe and North America and the role of BMI: a meta-analysis.

It is unclear whether the sex difference that is known to occur in blood pressure (BP) is similar in some South Asian populations. This study presents a meta-analysis of the sex difference in BP, hypertension and the role of body mass index (BMI) in South Asian diaspora compared with populations of European descent. We systematically searched for studies that reported BP and hypertension among South Asian descent populations living in Europe and North America. Weighted mean differences in BP and risk ratios (RR) for hypertension were calculated for men and women. We included 11 studies in this meta-analysis. In general, men had a higher BP and prevalence of hypertension than women, for example, systolic BP was higher in men than in women among the Indian (7.21 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.46-9.95) and European populations (6.12 mm Hg, 95% CI: 4.45-7.80). The difference was less in the Pakistani population (4.00 mm Hg, 95% CI: 2.65-5.36). The Bangladeshi population showed a comparatively small sex difference in systolic (2.93 mm Hg, 95% CI: 1.20-4.66) and diastolic BP (0.68 mm Hg, 95% CI: -1.76 to 3.12) and prevalence of hypertension (RR 1.28, 95% CI: 0.66-2.46). Sex differences in BMI for the South Asian populations were greater than those in Europeans. The Indian population had similar sex differences in BP and hypertension compared with Europeans, but Pakistani and Bangladeshi had smaller sex differences. Sex differences in BMI might relate to the blunted sex differences in BP in Pakistani and Bangladeshi populations. Further research should focus on factors that underlie this intriguing sex difference among South Asian populations.

Lower frequency of the 5/5 homozygous CNDP1 genotype in South Asian Surinamese.

We investigated the frequency of the 5/5 homozygous CNDP1 (carnosinase) genotype, which was found to be associated with a reduced risk of developing diabetic nephropathy, in three ethnic groups in The Netherlands. Particularly interesting were the South Asian Surinamese, who have a high prevalence of diabetic nephropathy. Furthermore, we investigated the association between this gene and carnosinase activity in South Asian Surinamese and whether carnosinase was expressed in the kidney. We genotyped 290 South Asian Surinamese, 532 African Surinamese, and 472 White Dutch in a cross-sectional population study. Furthermore, an independent cohort of South Asian Surinamese was genotyped. In this population, carnosinase activity was measured in serum. Immunostaining and in situ hybridization for CNDP1 were performed on kidney tissue. Both South Asian populations had lower frequencies of the 5/5 homozygous genotype than African Surinamese and White Dutch (23.0%, 27.2%, 38.2%, and 41.3%, respectively; chi-square, p<0.001). This genotype showed a lower carnosinase activity in South Asian Surinamese (Wilcoxon rank-sum, p=0.03). CNDP1 was expressed in the kidney. South Asian Surinamese have a lower frequency of the 5/5 homozygous genotype, which was associated with lower carnosinase activity. Our study provides an indication that South Asian Surinamese are genetically at risk for developing diabetic nephropathy.

Risk of death after first admission for cardiovascular diseases by country of birth in The Netherlands: a nationwide record-linked retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine differences in short- (28 days) and long-term (5 years) risk of death in patients hospitalised for the first time for various cardiovascular diseases (CVD) by country of birth and/or parental country of birth. DESIGN: A nationwide prospective cohort of CVD patients. SETTINGS: Entire Netherlands. PATIENTS: 118 691 patients hospitalised for the first time for various CVDs were identified through the national hospital discharge, the Dutch population and the cause-of-death registers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Differences in short-term and long-term risk of death. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the mortality hazard ratios. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, compared with Dutch patients, Turkish, other non-Western and Western migrants had both a short- and long-term higher risk, while Suriname patients had only a long-term higher risk of total-mortality and combined-CVD mortality. These higher rates were driven mainly by an increased risk of short-term (hazard ratio 3.21; 95% CI 1.03 to 10.03) and long-term (2.29; 1.14 to 4.60) mortality following congestive heart failure (CHF) among Turkish; short-term (1.56; 1.10 to 2.20) and long-term (1.50; 1.11 to 2.01) mortality following cerebrovascular accident (CVA) among the other non-Western migrants; short-term mortality following CVA (1.10; 1.01 to 1.19) and long-tem mortality following CVA (1.10; 1.03 to 1.17), and, to a lesser extent, CHF and myocardial infarction among Western migrants; and a long-term mortality following CVA (1.29; 1.05 to 1.57) among Surinamese patients. CONCLUSION: Higher mortality after a first episode of CVD was found in ethnic minority patients than in Dutch patients. These differences hardly changed after adjusting for possible confounders, suggesting that treatment and secondary prevention strategies may be less effective in these groups. More research is needed to explain the possible causes of these inequalities.

A new tool, a better tool? Prevalence and performance of the International Diabetes Federation and the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria for metabolic syndrome in different ethnic groups.

We used a population based study in the Netherlands of 330 Hindustani Surinamese, 586 African Surinamese, and 486 ethnic Dutch (Dutch) to describe the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) and the association with differences in cardiovascular disease in and between ethnic groups. Fasting blood samples, blood pressure, and anthropometric measurements were obtained. MS was defined according to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). Cardiovascular disease was assessed by the Rose questionnaire and included questions on previous diagnoses of angina pectoris/myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, intermittent claudication. The prevalence of MS (IDF and NCEP) was highest in Hindustani Surinamese men, followed by Dutch and African Surinamese men: 51.0%, 19.4%, and 31.2% (IDF), respectively. Among women, both the Hindustani and African Surinamese participants had a higher prevalence of MS (IDF and NCEP) than the Dutch. The association between the components, MS and cardiovascular disease differed between ethnic groups, in particular among men; OR for MS (NCEP) = 1.0 (0.4-2.7) among Hindustani Surinamese, OR = 4.9 (1.3-18.3) among African Surinamese, and OR = 2.8 (1.1-7.1) among Dutch. However, the differences in MS could not account for the ethnic differences in cardiovascular disease, regardless of the criteria used. The results suggest that, before the criteria can be used to guide practice, they may need to be changed and refined to take into account the differences between ethnic groups as well as the variations by gender.

Factors associated with hypertension awareness, treatment and control among ethnic groups in Amsterdam, the Netherlands: the SUNSET study.

We sought to determine factors associated with hypertension awareness, pharmacological treatment and control among ethnic groups in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. We analysed data on hypertensive subjects (Dutch n=130, Hindustani n=115 and African Surinamese n=225). After adjustments for important covariates, hypertension awareness was more common in Dutch people with abdominal obesity and family history of hypertension (FHH). Abdominal obesity was also associated with higher level of awareness in African Surinamese. Female sex, FHH and recent physician (general practitioner (GP)) visit were associated with higher level of awareness in both African and Hindustani Surinamese. Among the Dutch, hypertension treatment was more common in those with abdominal obesity, FHH and GP visit. Among Hindustanis, female sex, abdominal obesity and GP visit were positively associated with treatment of hypertension. Old age, female sex, FHH and GP visit were positively associated, whereas smoking was negatively associated with lower treatment in African Surinamese. High education and more physical activity were associated with better blood pressure (BP) control, whereas obesity was associated with poor BP control among the Dutch. Among African Surinamese, female sex and FHH were associated with better BP control, whereas abdominal obesity was associated with poor BP control. Only old age was associated with poor BP control in Hindustanis. In conclusion, our findings indicate that more attention is needed in promoting awareness and treatment among those with lower hypertension risk (i.e., normal body weight people and those without FHH), those without recent GP visits in all ethnic groups and African and Hindustani Surinamese men and smokers. More effort is also needed in hypertension control among Dutch people with low education, obesity and inadequate physical activity, African Surinamese men and those without FHH and old Hindustani people.

Cost effectiveness analysis of a population based screening programme for asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis infections in women by means of home obtained urine specimens.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of a systematic screening programme for asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis infections in a female inner city population. To determine the sensitivity of the cost effectiveness analysis to variation in the probability of developing sequelae. METHODS: A decision tree was constructed to evaluate health effects of the programme, such as averted sequelae of chlamydial infection. Cost effectiveness from a societal perspective was estimated for screening by means of a ligase chain reaction on mailed, home obtained urine specimens, in a population with a C trachomatis test prevalence of 2.9%. An extensive sensitivity analysis was performed for the probability of sequelae, the percentage of preventable pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and the discount rate. RESULTS: The estimated net cost of curing one woman, aged 15-40 years, of a C trachomatis infection is US$1210. To prevent one major outcome (PID, tubal factor infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, or neonatal pneumonia), 479 women would have to be screened. The net cost of preventing one major outcome is $15 800. Changing the probability of PID after chlamydial infection from 5% to 25% decreases the net cost per major outcome averted from $28 300 to $6380, a reduction of 78%. Results were less sensitive to variations in estimates for other sequelae. The breakeven prevalence of the programme ranges from 6.4% for the scenario with all probabilities for complications set at the maximum value to a prevalence of 100% for probabilities set at the minimum value. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic screening of all women aged 15-40 years for asymptomatic C trachomatis infections is not cost effective. Although the results of the analyses are sensitive to variation in the assumptions, the costs exceed the benefits, even in the most optimistic scenario.

Disappointing performance of literature-derived selective screening criteria for asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis infection in an inner-city population.

BACKGROUND: In an inner-city population with a low prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection, selective screening may be indicated to increase the efficiency of screening. GOAL: To evaluate the performance of sets of selective screening criteria for asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis infection in an inner-city population. The criteria were derived from reports of studies carried out in various settings. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 5714 women age 15 to 40 years living in Amsterdam were invited for a screening based on home-obtained urine specimens. Criteria identified from the literature were applied to the screening population. A calculated area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve (AUC) of greater than 0.75 was considered a good measure of diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: Of the four sets of criteria, selection based on the following determinants showed the highest diagnostic accuracy: younger than 25 years, being unmarried, number of partners during the previous 6 months, Surinam or Antillean origin (black), and vaginal douching (AUC, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.65-0.69). Selection based on age alone showed an AUC of 0.57 (95% CI, 0.55-0.69). CONCLUSION: The performance of selective screening criteria for asymptomatic C trachomatis infection in an inner-city population in Amsterdam was insufficient to recommend its implementation in practice.

Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis serovars in men and women with a symptomatic or asymptomatic infection: an association with clinical manifestations?

To determine whether certain Chlamydia trachomatis serovars are preferentially associated with a symptomatic or an asymptomatic course of infection, C. trachomatis serovar distributions were analyzed in symptomatically and asymptomatically infected persons. Furthermore, a possible association between C. trachomatis serovars and specific clinical symptoms was investigated. C. trachomatis-positive urine specimens from 219 asymptomatically infected men and women were obtained from population-based screening programs in Amsterdam. Two hundred twenty-one C. trachomatis-positive cervical and urethral swabs from symptomatically and asymptomatically infected men and women were obtained from several hospital-based departments. Serovars were determined using PCR-based genotyping, i.e., restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the nested-PCR-amplified omp1 gene. The most prevalent C. trachomatis serovars, D, E, and F, showed no association with either a symptomatic or asymptomatic course of infection. The most prominent differences found were (i) the association of serovar Ga with symptoms in men (P = 0.0027), specifically, dysuria (P < 0.0001), and (ii) detection of serovar Ia more often in asymptomatically infected people (men and women) (P = 0.035). Furthermore, in women, serovar K was associated with vaginal discharge (P = 0.002) and serovar variants were found only in women (P = 0.045).