Independent predictors of effective blood pressure control in patients with hypertension on drug treatment in Brazil.

Population assessment of effective blood pressure (BP) control is fundamental for reducing the global burden of hypertension, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The authors evaluated the effectiveness of BP control and determined independent predictors associated with effective control among patients with hypertension on drug treatment in a large cross-sectional study performed in two metropolitan areas in Brazil's southeast region. A total of 43 647 patients taking antihypertensive treatment were identified. Less than half of the patients (40.9%) had controlled BP (systolic BP <140 mm Hg and diastolic BP <90 mm Hg). Independent predictors of BP control were age, eating fruit daily, physical activity, previous cardiovascular disease, male sex, diabetes mellitus, ethnicity, and obesity. Simple variables associated with BP control may be utilized for knowledge translation strategies aiming to reduce the burden of hypertension.

Independent predictors of effective blood pressure control in patients with hypertension on drug treatment in Brazil

Population assessment of effective blood pressure (BP) control is fundamental for reducing the global burden of hypertension, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The authors evaluated the effectiveness of BP control and determined independent predictors associated with effective control among patients with hypertension on drug treatment in a large cross-sectional study performed in two metropolitan areas in Brazil's southeast region. A total of 43 647 patients taking antihypertensive treatment were identified. Less than half of the patients (40.9%) had controlled BP (systolic BP <140 mm Hg and diastolic BP <90 mm Hg). Independent predictors of BP control were age, eating fruit daily, physical activity, previous cardiovascular disease, male sex, diabetes mellitus, ethnicity, and obesity. Simple variables associated with BP control may be utilized for knowledge translation strategies aiming to reduce the burden of hypertension...

Controle dos níveis pressóricos em pacientes hipertensos nos municípios de São Paulo e Campinas: um grande estudo transversal / Blood pressure control in hypertensive patients in the municipalities of São Paulo and Campinas: a large cross-sectional study

INTRODUÇÃO: A hipertensão arterial sistêmica é a principal causa evitável de morbimortalidade cardiovascular no mundo contemporâneo, principalmente nos países de baixa renda. Avaliações populacionais das taxas de sucesso no controle dessa entidade precisam ser instituídas e continuamente realizadas. A compreensão do comportamento epidemiológico da hipertensão arterial sistêmica em coortes contemporâneas é importante para o planejamento de novas medidas de intervenção populacional. O presente estudo visa, como objetivo primário, a avaliar a eficácia no controle da hipertensão arterial sistêmica e a determinar preditores independentes associados ao melhor controle pressórico, em uma população de hipertensos sob tratamento medicamentoso derivada do Mutirão de Avaliação de Risco Cardiovascular. Como objetivo secundário, o estudo visa a avaliar a taxa de sujeitos sem diagnóstico prévio de hipertensão arterial sistêmica que apresentam a primeira medida pressórica alterada, assim como a determinar os preditores independentes desse achado. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional, transversal, em que foram avaliados os participantes do Mutirão de Avaliação de Risco Cardiovascular dos municípios de São Paulo e Campinas. Foram incluídos nessa análise sujeitos com mais de 18 anos de idade, residentes nos municípios de São Paulo e Campinas. Para responder ao objetivo primário, foram analisados hipertensos com diagnóstico prévio e uso de medicamento anti-hipertensivo. Para responder ao objetivo secundário, foram analisados os sujeitos sem diagnóstico prévio de hipertensão e que não estavam em uso de medicações anti-hipertensivas. Utilizou-se análise multivariada para identificar preditores associados ao controle pressórico...

Efficacy of Patient Selection for Diagnostic Coronary Angiography in Suspected Coronary Artery Disease / Eficácia da Seleção de Pacientes para Cateterismo Coronário por Suspeita de Doença Arterial Coronariana

AbstractBackground:Guidelines recommend that in suspected stable coronary artery disease (CAD), a clinical (non-invasive) evaluation should be performed before coronary angiography.Objective:We assessed the efficacy of patient selection for coronary angiography in suspected stable CAD.Methods:We prospectively selected consecutive patients without known CAD, referred to a high-volume tertiary center. Demographic characteristics, risk factors, symptoms and non-invasive test results were correlated to the presence of obstructive CAD. We estimated the CAD probability based on available clinical data and the incremental diagnostic value of previous non-invasive tests.Results:A total of 830 patients were included; median age was 61 years, 49.3% were males, 81% had hypertension and 35.5% were diabetics. Non-invasive tests were performed in 64.8% of the patients. At coronary angiography, 23.8% of the patients had obstructive CAD. The independent predictors for obstructive CAD were: male gender (odds ratio [OR], 3.95; confidence interval [CI] 95%, 2.70 - 5.77), age (OR for 5 years increment, 1.15; CI 95%, 1.06 - 1.26), diabetes (OR, 2.01; CI 95%, 1.40 - 2.90), dyslipidemia (OR, 2.02; CI 95%, 1.32 - 3.07), typical angina (OR, 2.92; CI 95%, 1.77 - 4.83) and previous non-invasive test (OR 1.54; CI 95% 1.05 - 2.27).Conclusions:In this study, less than a quarter of the patients referred for coronary angiography with suspected CAD had the diagnosis confirmed. A better clinical and non-invasive assessment is necessary, to improve the efficacy of patient selection for coronary angiography.

ResumoFundamento:Diretrizes recomendam que na suspeita de doença arterial coronariana (DAC) estável, uma avaliação clínica (não-invasiva) deve ser realizada antes da realização da coronariografia.Objetivo:Avaliar a eficácia da seleção de pacientes à coronariografia invasiva na suspeita de DAC estável.Métodos:Prospectivamente, selecionamos pacientes sem diagnóstico prévio de DAC referenciados a um centro terciário de grande volume. Características demográficas, fatores de risco, sintomatologia e resultados de exames não-invasivos foram correlacionados com a presença de DAC obstrutiva. Estimamos a probabilidade de DAC com base nos dados clínicos disponíveis e no valor incremental diagnóstico dos exames não-invasivos.Resultados:Um total de 830 pacientes foi incluído, mediana de idade de 61 anos, 49,3% homens, 81% hipertensos e 35,5% de diabéticos. Exames não-invasivos foram realizados em 64,8% dos pacientes. Na coronariografia, 23,8% dos pacientes tinham DAC obstrutiva. Os preditores independentes para DAC obstrutiva foram: sexo masculino (odds ratio [OR], 3,95; intervalo de confiança [IC] de 95%, 2,70 – 5,77), idade (OR por incremento de 5 anos, 1,15; IC 95%, 1,06 – 1,26), diabetes (OR, 2,01; IC 95%, 1,40 – 2,90), dislipidemia (OR, 2,02; IC 95%, 1,32 – 3,07), angina típica (OR, 2,92; IC 95%, 1,77 – 4,83) e teste não-invasivo prévio (OR 1,54; IC 95% 1,05 – 2,27).Conclusão:Nesse estudo, menos de um quarto dos pacientes referenciados a um centro terciário para a realização de coronariografia por suspeita de DAC estável teve o diagnóstico confirmado. Uma melhor avaliação clínica e maior acesso a exames não-invasivos são necessários para aumentar a eficácia da seleção de pacientes para coronariografia invasiva.

Efficacy of Patient Selection for Diagnostic Coronary Angiography in Suspected Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend that in suspected stable coronary artery disease (CAD), a clinical (non-invasive) evaluation should be performed before coronary angiography. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the efficacy of patient selection for coronary angiography in suspected stable CAD. METHODS: We prospectively selected consecutive patients without known CAD, referred to a high-volume tertiary center. Demographic characteristics, risk factors, symptoms and non-invasive test results were correlated to the presence of obstructive CAD. We estimated the CAD probability based on available clinical data and the incremental diagnostic value of previous non-invasive tests. RESULTS: A total of 830 patients were included; median age was 61 years, 49.3% were males, 81% had hypertension and 35.5% were diabetics. Non-invasive tests were performed in 64.8% of the patients. At coronary angiography, 23.8% of the patients had obstructive CAD. The independent predictors for obstructive CAD were: male gender (odds ratio [OR], 3.95; confidence interval [CI] 95%, 2.70 - 5.77), age (OR for 5 years increment, 1.15; CI 95%, 1.06 - 1.26), diabetes (OR, 2.01; CI 95%, 1.40 - 2.90), dyslipidemia (OR, 2.02; CI 95%, 1.32 - 3.07), typical angina (OR, 2.92; CI 95%, 1.77 - 4.83) and previous non-invasive test (OR 1.54; CI 95% 1.05 - 2.27). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, less than a quarter of the patients referred for coronary angiography with suspected CAD had the diagnosis confirmed. A better clinical and non-invasive assessment is necessary, to improve the efficacy of patient selection for coronary angiography.

Como melhorar o controle das doenças cardiovasculares? Lições dos estudos epidemiológicos / How to improve the control of cardiovascular diseases? Lessons from epidemiological studies

A escalada na mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares entre "países desenvolvidos" na metade do século passado mobilizou pesquisadores para a compreensão das causas e fatores associados a essa nova epidemia que se instalava. Seriam o infarto e o acidente vascular encefálico consequências inevitáveis do envelhecimento de uma sociedade desenvolvida que acabara de controlar as grandes epidemias infecciosas? Clássicos trabalhos epidemiológicos observacionais de longo seguimento como Framingham Heart Study, Nurses Healthy Study, Seven Countries Study e, mais recentemente, o INTERHEART, estudo caso-controle, responderam esse questionamento. Apesar de relacionados à idade, a maioria dos acometidos apresentavam fatores de risco associados, alguns deles passivos de ajustes. Inúmeras lições podem ser tiradas desses estudos e de outros que os sucederam. Nesse capítulo, enfocaremos as evidências mais atualizadas sobre três importantes fatores de risco que ainda dificultam o com trole ideal das doenças cardiovasculares: inatividade física, dieta inadequada e estresse psicossocial. Grandes coortes observacionais mostram que, como já foram sugerido por Hipócrates há mais de 2.000 anos, a atividade física regular está associada a uma redução na incidência de eventos cardiovasculares. A compreensão de que os principais fatores risco estavam associados a distúrbios nutricionais, estimulou a investigação para a identificação de padrões dietéticos saudáveis. Dentre estes, destaca-se o cardápio da "Dieta do Mediterrâneo", que se mostrou eficaz na prevenção primária de eventos cardiovasculares maiores. O estudo caso-controle INTERGEART identificou a importância do estresse psicossocial com um fator de risco cardiovascular. Meta-análise e estudos randomizados demostraram um impacto adicional nas intervenções terapêuticas psicossociais, especialmente nos pacientes que atingiram as metas comportamentais. Diante disso...

The rise in mortality from cardiovascular disease among "developed countries" in the middle of the last century mobilized researchers to understand the causes and factors associated with this new epidemic that is settled. Would infarction and stroke inevitable consequences of aging developed societies which had controlled major infectious epidemics? Classic epidemiological cohort studies as Framingham Heart Study, Nurses Healthy Study, Seven Countries Study and more recently, the INTERHEART, a case-control study, answered this question Although age-related, cardiovascular diseases are freuently associated with risk factors, most of them changeable. Several lessons can be drawn from theses studies and others that succeeded them. In this chapter, we focus on the most current evidence on three importante risk factors that still hinder optimal control of cardiovascular disease: physical inactivity, poor quality diet and psychosocial stress. Large observational cohort show that, as already suggested by Hippocrates more than 2,000 years, regular physical activity is associated with a reduced incidence of cardiovascular events. The comprehension that the main risk factors were associated with nutritional disorders, stimulated research to identify healthy dietary patterns. Among these stands out the menu of "Mediterranean Diet", which is effective in primary prevention of major cardiovascular events. The INTERHEART case-control study identified the importance of psychosocial stress with a cardiovascular risk fator. Meta-analyzes and randomized studies demonstrated na additional an impact on the psychosocial therapeutic interventions, especially in patients achieving behavior goals...