Development, validation, and prognostic evaluation of a risk score for long-term liver-related outcomes in the general population: a multicohort study.

BACKGROUND: Liver cirrhosis is a major cause of death worldwide. Cirrhosis develops after a long asymptomatic period of fibrosis progression, with the diagnosis frequently occurring late, when major complications or cancer develop. Few reliable tools exist for timely identification of individuals at risk of cirrhosis to allow for early intervention. We aimed to develop a novel score to identify individuals at risk for future liver-related outcomes. METHODS: We derived the LiverRisk score from an international prospective cohort of individuals from six countries without known liver disease from the general population, who underwent liver fibrosis assessment by transient elastography. The score included age, sex, and six standard laboratory variables. We created four groups: minimal risk, low risk, medium risk, and high risk according to selected cutoff values of the LiverRisk score (6, 10, and 15). The model's discriminatory accuracy and calibration were externally validated in two prospective cohorts from the general population. Moreover, we ascertained the prognostic value of the score in the prediction of liver-related outcomes in participants without known liver disease with median follow-up of 12 years (UK Biobank cohort). FINDINGS: We included 14 726 participants: 6357 (43·2%) in the derivation cohort, 4370 (29·7%) in the first external validation cohort, and 3999 (27·2%) in the second external validation cohort. The score accurately predicted liver stiffness in the development and external validation cohorts, and was superior to conventional serum biomarkers of fibrosis, as measured by area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve (AUC; 0·83 [95% CI [0·78-0·89]) versus the fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4; 0·68 [0·61-0·75] at 10 kPa). The score was effective in identifying individuals at risk of liver-related mortality, liver-related hospitalisation, and liver cancer, thereby allowing stratification to different risk groups for liver-related outcomes. The hazard ratio for liver-related mortality in the high-risk group was 471 (95% CI 347-641) compared with the minimal risk group, and the overall AUC of the score in predicting 10-year liver-related mortality was 0·90 (0·88-0·91) versus 0.84 (0·82-0·86) for FIB-4. INTERPRETATION: The LiverRisk score, based on simple parameters, predicted liver fibrosis and future development of liver-related outcomes in the general population. The score might allow for stratification of individuals according to liver risk and thus guide preventive care. FUNDING: European Commission under the H20/20 programme; Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria de Salud; Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness; the European Regional Development Fund; and the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

Universal screening programme for cytomegalovirus infection in the first trimester of pregnancy: study protocol for an observational multicentre study in the area of Barcelona (CITEMB study).

INTRODUCTION: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the leading cause of non-genetic sensorineural hearing loss and one of the main causes of neurological disability. Despite this, no universal screening programme for cCMV has been implemented in Spain. A recent study has shown that early treatment with valaciclovir, initiated in the first trimester and before the onset of signs in the fetus, reduces the risk of fetal infection. This finding favours the implementation of a universal screening programme for cCMV.The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of a universal screening programme for cCMV during the first trimester of pregnancy in a primary care setting. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is an observational multicentre cohort study. The study will be conducted in four primary care settings from the Northern Metropolitan Barcelona area and three related hospitals and will last 3 years and will consist of a recruitment period of 18 months.In their first pregnancy visit, pregnant women will be offered to add a CMV serology test to the first trimester screening tests. Pregnant women with primary infection will be referred to the reference hospital, where they will continue treatment and follow-up according to the clinical protocol of the referral hospital, which includes treatment with valacyclovir. A CMV-PCR will be performed at birth on newborns of mothers with primary infection, and those who are infected will undergo neonatal follow-up for at least 12 months of life.For the analysis, the acceptance rate, the prevalence of primary CMV infections and the CMV seroprevalence in the first trimester of pregnancy will be studied. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was obtained from the University Institute Foundation for Primary Health Care Research Jordi Gol i Gurina Ethics Committee 22/097-P dated 27 April 2022.

Dysglycemia in young women attenuates the protective effect against fatty liver disease.

Introduction: Sexual dimorphism has been reported in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), similar to the sex differences evident with cardiovascular disease. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) significantly increases the risk and severity of NAFLD, but there is scarce information on whether T2D or altered glucose metabolism can modify the prevalence of NAFLD in men and women of reproductive age. Purpose: To investigate the relationship between age, sex and NAFLD in subjects with and without dysglycemia. Materials and methods: We analyzed 2,790 patients. NAFLD was characterized using established diagnostic criteria: one or more positive results on the fatty liver index and hepatic ultrasound. Liver fibrosis (liver stiffness measurement [LSM] ≥8.0 kPa) was assessed by Fibroscan®. For analysis purposes, we included both T2D and prediabetes under the predefined condition of dysglycemia. Results: The global prevalence of NAFLD was higher in men than in women (50% and 34%; P<0.001), and the prevalence increased with age in both sexes. Older women (≥ 50 years) had a higher prevalence than younger women (<50 years), both in the overall cohort and in non-dysglycemic subjects. In dysglycemic subjects, the prevalence of NAFLD was slightly higher in men (68% vs 61%, p=0.021); in younger subjects, there were no differences in the prevalence of NAFLD between men and women (68% vs 64%, respectively; p=0.635). We found an interaction between dysglycemia and female sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.6 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-2.4, p=0.030), and between and age ≥50 years (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.3-1.0, p=0.046). The global prevalence of LSM ≥8.0 kPa was higher in men compared with women (8% vs 4%; p< 0.001). This prevalence increased with age, mainly in men. We did not find any association between liver fibrosis and age and gender. Conclusions: While the global prevalence of NAFLD is higher in men than in women across all ages, younger women with dysglycemia have a similar risk of developing NAFLD as men of a similar age. Therefore, the presence of dysglycemia may erase the protective effect of female sex against fatty liver disease.

Diferencia de presión arterial entre brazos: concordancia entre 2 métodos automáticos de medición simultánea y reproducibilidad entre visitas / Interarm blood pressure difference: Concordance between two methods of automatic simultaneous measurement and between visits reproducibility

Objetivo: La diferencia de presión arterial sistólica entre brazos (dPEB) aumentada (≥10mmHg) se ha relacionado con mayor morbimortalidad cardiovascular. Hay poca evidencia sobre cómo determinar la dPEB y su fiabilidad ha sido poco estudiada. Nuestros objetivos fueron evaluar la concordancia entre 2 oscilómetros automáticos de medición simultánea de la dPEB (2 aparatos OMRON y un aparato Microlife WatchBP® [WBP]) y analizar la reproducibilidad de la dPEB entre visitas en población general atendida en un centro de atención primaria. Diseño: Estudio descriptivo transversal de concordancia entre los 2 métodos y de fiabilidad de la dPEB entre 2 visitas separadas una semana. Emplazamiento: Centro de Atención Primaria de Parets del Vallès, Barcelona. Participantes: Población general de 35-74 años. Intervenciones y mediciones principales: Ciento cuarenta y nueve pacientes completaron las 2 visitas. En cada visita se midió la dPEB 3 veces con ambos métodos, y se consideró la media de las 3 determinaciones. Mediante revisión de la historia y entrevista con el paciente se recogieron otras variables como sociodemográficas y antropométricas, antecedentes patológicos y tratamiento farmacológico. Se calculó la concordancia entre los dispositivos y la reproducibilidad entre visitas mediante el coeficiente de concordancia de Lin (CCL) para la dPEB expresada de manera continua y los índices kappa (k) para la dPEB categorizada en normal o patológica. Resultados: La concordancia entre métodos para la dPEB expresada de forma continua fue baja: CCL: 0,13 (0,02-0,24). La concordancia fue también baja para la dPEB categorizada en normal o patológica (k=−0,03 [−0,05-0,00]). La reproducibilidad entre visitas fue baja para ambos métodos, y tanto para la dPEB continua como categorizada: con OMRON® CCL: 0,19 (0,03-0,34) y k=−0,02 (−0,16-0,12) y para WBP® CCL: 0,14 (−0,01-0,29) y k=0,49 (0,33-0,64).(AU)

Objective: An increased interarm blood pressure difference (IAD) (≥10mmHg) has been associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There are few studies determining how IAD has to be measured and its reliability between visits. The objectives of our study were twofold. First, to evaluate the concordance between two automatic oscillometric devices for IAD measurement (two OMRON devices and one Microlife WatchBP™ device (WBP™)) and to analyse the reproducibility of IAD between visits in the general population attending a primary care centre. Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study of concordance between the two methods and reproducibility of IAD between two visits separated by one week. Site: Parets del Vallès primary care centre (Barcelona). Participants: General population aged 35-74 years. Interventions and main measurements: One hundred and forty-nine patients completed the two visits. At each visit, IAD was measured three times with both methods and the mean of the three determinations was considered. Other variables such as sociodemographic and anthropometric variables, pathological antecedents and pharmacological treatment were collected through a review of the medical history and an interview with the patient. Concordance between the two devices and between visits reproducibility were calculated using the Lin concordance coefficient (CCL) for IAD expressed continuously and kappa(k) indices for IAD categorised as normal or pathological. Results: Concordance for IAD expressed continuously was low: CCL=0.13 (0.02-0.24). Concordance was also low for IAD categorised as normal or pathological (k=−0.03 (−0.05-0.00)). Reproducibility between visits was low for both methods and for both continuous and categorised IAD: with OMRON™ CCL=0.19 (0.03-0.34) and k=−0.02 (−0.16-0.12) and for WBP™ CCL=0.14 (−0.01-0.29) and k=0.49 (0.33-0.64).(AU)

[Interarm blood pressure difference: Concordance between two methods of automatic simultaneous measurement and between visits reproducibility]. / Diferencia de presión arterial entre brazos: concordancia entre 2 métodos automáticos de medición simultánea y reproducibilidad entre visitas.

OBJECTIVE: An increased interarm blood pressure difference (IAD) (≥10mmHg) has been associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There are few studies determining how IAD has to be measured and its reliability between visits. The objectives of our study were twofold. First, to evaluate the concordance between two automatic oscillometric devices for IAD measurement (two OMRON devices and one Microlife WatchBP™ device (WBP™)) and to analyse the reproducibility of IAD between visits in the general population attending a primary care centre. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study of concordance between the two methods and reproducibility of IAD between two visits separated by one week. SITE: Parets del Vallès primary care centre (Barcelona). PARTICIPANTS: General population aged 35-74 years. INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN MEASUREMENTS: One hundred and forty-nine patients completed the two visits. At each visit, IAD was measured three times with both methods and the mean of the three determinations was considered. Other variables such as sociodemographic and anthropometric variables, pathological antecedents and pharmacological treatment were collected through a review of the medical history and an interview with the patient. Concordance between the two devices and between visits reproducibility were calculated using the Lin concordance coefficient (CCL) for IAD expressed continuously and kappa(k) indices for IAD categorised as normal or pathological. RESULTS: Concordance for IAD expressed continuously was low: CCL=0.13 (0.02-0.24). Concordance was also low for IAD categorised as normal or pathological (k=-0.03 (-0.05-0.00)). Reproducibility between visits was low for both methods and for both continuous and categorised IAD: with OMRON™ CCL=0.19 (0.03-0.34) and k=-0.02 (-0.16-0.12) and for WBP™ CCL=0.14 (-0.01-0.29) and k=0.49 (0.33-0.64). CONCLUSIONS: Concordance between two automatic oscillometers in the simultaneous IAD measurement was low. Reproducibility between visits was also low for both methods.

Evolución de la prevalencia de arteriopatía periférica en la práctica clínica: Estudio descriptivo poblacional con bases de datos reales (SIDIAP-CMBD) / Evolution of the prevalence of peripheral artery disease in clinical practice: A descriptive population study with real databases (SIDIAP-CMBD)

Objetivo: Evaluar, con datos de práctica clínica real (SIDIAP y CMBD), la evolución de la prevalencia de arteriopatía periférica (AP) en la población catalana y los factores de riesgo cardiovascular presentes en las personas con esta patología. Diseño: Estudio longitudinal descriptivo poblacional. Emplazamiento: Atención primaria. Participantes: Pacientes que figuran en SIDIAP y CMBD con diagnóstico de arteriopatía periférica entre los años 2008 y 2018 ≥ 35 años, así como aquellos sin diagnóstico, pero con un registro del ITB < 0,9 en SIDIAP. Intervenciones y mediciones: Variable principal AP (CIE-9, CIE-10). Datos sociodemográficos, factores de riesgo y patología cardiovascular, consumo de fármacos y eventos cardiovasculares prevalentes en el momento del diagnóstico. Resultados: Se contabilizaron 141.520 pacientes. Un 75% tenía hipertensión, un 58% eran fumadores o exfumadores y un 23% tuvieron un infarto de miocardio. La prevalencia global fue aumentando desde el 1,2% en 2008 hasta el 3,1% en 2018. La prevalencia de AP aumentó con la edad, con un incremento moderado en edades tempranas, y más pronunciado en > 55 años, rebasando el 10% en > 85 años. Conclusión: Se trata de un estudio poblacional donde se observa que la evolución de la prevalencia de arteriopatía periférica ha presentado un incremento constante durante los años 2008 a 2018, siendo superior en varones especialmente a partir de los 55 años. Los estudios con grandes bases de datos pueden facilitar el diseño y la implementación de nuevas políticas en los sistemas nacionales de salud.(AU)

Objective: To evaluate, with real world data (SIDIAP and CMBD), the evolution of the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the Catalan population and the cardiovascular risk factors present in people with this pathology. Design: Longitudinal descriptive population study. Site: Primary health care. Participants: Patients listed in SIDIAP and CMBD with a diagnosis of peripheral artery disease between 2008 and 2018 ≥ 35 years, as well as those without a diagnosis, but with an ABI < 0.9 in SIDIAP. Interventions and main measurements: Main variable AP (ICD-9, ICD-10). Sociodemographic data, risk factors and cardiovascular disease, drug use and prevalent cardiovascular events at the time of diagnosis. Results: 141,520 patients were studied. 75% had hypertension, 58% were smokers or former smokers, and 23% had a myocardial infarction. The global prevalence increased from 1.15% in 2008 to 3.10% in 2018. The prevalence of PAD increased with age, with a moderate increase at younger ages, and more pronounced in > 55 years, exceeding 10% in > 85 years. Conclusion: This is a population study where it is observed that the evolution of the prevalence of peripheral artery disease has presented a constant increase during the years 2008–2018, being higher in men, especially from 55 years of age. Studies with large databases can facilitate the design and implementation of new policies in national health systems.(AU)

[Evolution of the prevalence of peripheral artery disease in clinical practice: A descriptive population study with real databases (SIDIAP-CMBD)]. / Evolución de la prevalencia de arteriopatía periférica en la práctica clínica: Estudio descriptivo poblacional con bases de datos reales (SIDIAP-CMBD).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, with real world data (SIDIAP and CMBD), the evolution of the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the Catalan population and the cardiovascular risk factors present in people with this pathology. DESIGN: Longitudinal descriptive population study. SITE: Primary health care. PARTICIPANTS: Patients listed in SIDIAP and CMBD with a diagnosis of peripheral artery disease between 2008 and 2018 ≥ 35 years, as well as those without a diagnosis, but with an ABI < 0.9 in SIDIAP. INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Main variable AP (ICD-9, ICD-10). Sociodemographic data, risk factors and cardiovascular disease, drug use and prevalent cardiovascular events at the time of diagnosis. RESULTS: 141,520 patients were studied. 75% had hypertension, 58% were smokers or former smokers, and 23% had a myocardial infarction. The global prevalence increased from 1.15% in 2008 to 3.10% in 2018. The prevalence of PAD increased with age, with a moderate increase at younger ages, and more pronounced in > 55 years, exceeding 10% in > 85 years. CONCLUSION: This is a population study where it is observed that the evolution of the prevalence of peripheral artery disease has presented a constant increase during the years 2008-2018, being higher in men, especially from 55 years of age. Studies with large databases can facilitate the design and implementation of new policies in national health systems.

LiverScreen project: study protocol for screening for liver fibrosis in the general population in European countries.

BACKGROUND: The development of liver cirrhosis is usually an asymptomatic process until late stages when complications occur. The potential reversibility of the disease is dependent on early diagnosis of liver fibrosis and timely targeted treatment. Recently, the use of non-invasive tools has been suggested for screening of liver fibrosis, especially in subjects with risk factors for chronic liver disease. Nevertheless, large population-based studies with cost-effectiveness analyses are still lacking to support the widespread use of such tools. The aim of this study is to investigate whether non-invasive liver stiffness measurement in the general population is useful to identify subjects with asymptomatic, advanced chronic liver disease. METHODS: This study aims to include 30,000 subjects from eight European countries. Subjects from the general population aged ≥ 40 years without known liver disease will be invited to participate in the study either through phone calls/letters or through their primary care center. In the first study visit, subjects will undergo bloodwork as well as hepatic fat quantification and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by vibration-controlled transient elastography. If LSM is ≥ 8 kPa and/or if ALT levels are ≥1.5 x upper limit of normal, subjects will be referred to hospital for further evaluation and consideration of liver biopsy. The primary outcome is the percentage of subjects with LSM ≥ 8kPa. In addition, a health economic evaluation will be performed to assess the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of such an intervention. The project is funded by the European Commission H2020 program. DISCUSSION: This study comes at an especially important time, as the burden of chronic liver diseases is expected to increase in the coming years. There is consequently an urgent need to change our current approach, from diagnosing the disease late when the impact of interventions may be limited to diagnosing the disease earlier, when the patient is asymptomatic and free of complications, and the disease potentially reversible. Ultimately, the LiverScreen study will serve as a basis from which diagnostic pathways can be developed and adapted to the specific socio-economic and healthcare conditions in each country. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered on Clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT03789825 ).

Supervised physical activity in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease: protocol for a randomized clinical trial (ARTPERfit Study).

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a marker of cardiovascular morbidity, causing disability, loss of mobility and poor quality of life, manifesting clinically in the form of intermittent claudication (IC). Physical exercise increases the distance walked and improves quality of life. The aim of our study will be increased walking distance prolonging the time of onset of pain in patients with symptomatic PAD (IC). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study will be performed in Mataró Hospital's vascular surgery service and School of Health Sciences, TecnoCampus. This population comes from 15 primary healthcare centres ofNorth Barcelona, Spain (450 000 inhabitants).This study will be a four-group parallel, longitudinal, randomised controlled trial, blind to analysis.The main primary outcome of this study will be the improvement in pain-free walking distance. Others primary objectives are and improvement in functional status, quality of life and Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI). Secondary outcomes will be the analysis of cardiorespiratory fitness, evaluation of muscle fitness, determine the maintenance of primary objectives at 6 and 12 months.We will be included 124 patients (31 per group). The changes of the outcome (Barthel, SF-12, VascQOL-6, ABI) of the three intervention groups vs the control group at 3, 6 and 12 months will be compared, both continuously (linear regression) and categorically (logistic regression). A person who has not performed at least 75% of the training will be considered to have not completed the intervention. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study will be conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki . It was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Research Institute Primary Health IDIAP Jordi Gol (20/035 P),Barcelona 6 October 2020. Informed consent will be obtained from all patients before the start of the study. We will disseminate results through academic papers and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04578990.

Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among primary healthcare patients in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area: the SeroCAP sentinel network protocol.

INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence studies are currently being recommended and implemented in many countries. Forming part of the COVID-19 monitoring and evaluation plan of the Catalan Government Health Department, our network aims to initiate a primary healthcare sentinel monitoring system as a surrogate of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The seroCAP is a serial cross-sectional study, which will be performed in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area to estimate antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. From February 2021 to March 2022, the detection of serum IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 trimeric spike protein will be performed on a monthly basis in blood samples collected for diverse clinical purposes in three reference hospitals from the three Barcelona healthcare areas (BCN areas). The samples (n=2588/month) will be from patients attended by 30 primary healthcare teams at 30 basic healthcare areas (BHA). A lab software algorithm will systematically select the samples by age and sex. Seroprevalence will be estimated and monitored by age, sex, BCN area and BHA. Descriptive and cluster analysis of the characteristics and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 infections will be performed. Sociodemographic, socioeconomic and morbidity-associated factors will be determined using logistic regression. We will explore the association between seroprevalence, SARS-CoV-2 confirmed cases and the implemented measures using interrupted time series analysis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was obtained from the University Institute Foundation for Primary Health Care Research Jordi Gol i Gurina ethics committee. An informed consent is not required regarding the approval of the secondary use of biological samples within the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic. A report will be generated quarterly. The final analysis, conclusions and recommendations will be shared with the stakeholders and communicated to the general public. Manuscripts resulting from the network will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Abdominal obesity and dsyglycemia are risk factors for liver fibrosis progression in NAFLD subjects: A population-based study.

Objective: To investigate longitudinal changes in the liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in the general adult population without known liver disease and to describe its association with metabolic risk factors, with a special focus on subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and dysglycemia. Material and Methods: A longitudinal adult population-based cohort study was conducted in Catalonia. LSM was measured by transient elastography (TE) at baseline and follow-up (median: 4.2 years). Subgroup with NAFLD and dysglycemia were analyzed. Moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis was defined as LSM ≥8.0 kPa and LSM ≥9.2 kPa respectively. Results: Among 1.478 subjects evaluated, the cumulative incidence of LSM ≥8.0 kPa and ≥9.2 kPa at follow-up was 2.8% and 1.9%, respectively. This incidence was higher in NAFLD (7.1% for LSM ≥8.0 kPa and 5% for LSM ≥9.2 kPa) and dysglycemia (6.2% for LSM ≥8.0 kPa and 4.7% for LSM ≥9.2 kPa) subgroups. In the global cohort, the multivariate analyses showed that dysglycemia, abdominal obesity and atherogenic dyslipidemia were significantly associated with progression to moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis. Female sex was negatively associated. In subjects with NAFLD, abdominal obesity and dysglycemia were associated with changes in LSM to ≥8.0 kPa and ≥9.2 kPa at follow-up. A decline in LSM value to <8 kPa was observed in 64% of those subjects with a baseline LSM ≥8.0 kPa. Conclusions: In this population study, the presence of abdominal obesity and dysglycemia were the main risk metabolic factors associated with moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis development over time in general populations as well as in subjects with NAFLD.

Relationship between Retinal Microvasculature, Cardiovascular Risk and Silent Brain Infarction in Hypertensive Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are to analyze the role of artery-vein ratio AVR assessment using VesselMap 2 software (Imedos Systems) and cardiovascular risk evaluation by means of REGICOR in the prediction of silent brain infarction (SBI) in middle-age hypertensive patients from the ISSYS study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 695 patients with hypertension aged 50 to 70 years who participated in the project Investigating Silent Strokes in HYpertensives: a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study (ISSYS), was conducted in two Primary Care Centres of Barcelona. Participants agreed to a retinography and an MRI to detect silent brain infarction (SBI). The IMEDOS software was used for the semiautomatic caliber measurement of retinal arteries and veins, and the AVR was considered abnormal when <0.66. The REGICOR score was calculated for all patients. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the impact of AVR and REGICOR scores on SBI. The OR (odds ratio) for a high REGICOR score and an abnormal AVR were 3.16 and 4.45, respectively. When analysing the interaction of both factors, the OR of an abnormal AVR and moderate REGICOR score was 3.27, whereas with a high REGICOR score it reached 13.07. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of AVR in patients with hypertension and with a high REGICOR score can contribute to the detection of silent brain infarction.

Atherogenic dyslipidemia, but not hyperglycemia, is an independent factor associated with liver fibrosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes and NAFLD: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and risks factors associated with the presence of liver fibrosis in subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was part of a population-based study conducted in the Barcelona metropolitan area among subjects aged 18-75 years old. Secondary causes of steatosis were excluded. Moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis was defined as a liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ≥ 8.0 kPa assessed by transient elastography. RESULTS: Among 930 subjects with NAFLD, the prevalence of moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis was higher in subjects with T2D compared those without (30.8% vs 8.7%). By multivariable analysis, one of the main factors independently associated with increased LSM in subjects with NAFLD was atherogenic dyslipidemia but only in those with T2D. The percentage of subjects with LSM ≥ 8.0 kPa was higher in subjects with T2D and atherogenic dyslipidemia than in those with T2D without atherogenic dyslipidemia both for the cut-off point of LSM ≥8.0 kPa (45% vs 24% P = 0.002) and ≥13 kPa (13% vs 4% P = 0.020). No differences were observed in the prevalence of LSM ≥8.0 kPa regarding glycemic control among NAFLD-diabetic subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Factors associated with moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis in NAFLD are different in subjects with and without T2D. Atherogenic dyslipidemia was associated with the presence of moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis in T2D with NAFLD but not in non-diabetic subjects. These findings highlight the need for an active search for liver fibrosis in subjects with T2D NAFLD and atherogenic dyslipidemia.

Interaction between metabolic syndrome and alcohol consumption, risk factors of liver fibrosis: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Alcohol and metabolic syndrome (MS) coexist frequently as cofactors of liver disease. Previous studies suggest a deleterious effect of MS in advanced alcohol-related liver disease (ArLD). However, it is unknow whether MS can increase the risk of liver fibrosis in early stages of ArLD. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of MS on liver fibrosis in subjects with alcohol consumption from a population-based cohort. METHODS: The number of subjects include 1760(58%) of 3014 who were randomly selected from the community consumed alcohol and were classified as current drinkers, divided in moderate (n = 1222) or high-risk drinkers (n = 275) (>21 units/week men, >14 units/week women for high-risk drinkers), or former drinkers (n = 263). Liver fibrosis was estimated by measuring liver stiffness(LS) with transient elastography (TE). RESULTS: Prevalence of significant LS using cutoff values of TE of 8 and 9.1kPa was increased in high-risk compared with moderate or former drinkers and lifetime abstainers. In subjects with alcohol consumption, LS was associated with male gender, AST, ALT, years of consumption, and MS. In high-risk drinkers, MS and intensity of consumption were the only factors associated with significant LS (OR 3.7 and 4.6 for LS ≥ 8 kPa and 3.9 and 9.2 kPa for LS ≥ 9.1 kPa, respectively). Presence of significant liver fibrosis in the liver biopsy was higher among high-risk as compared with moderate or former drinkers. CONCLUSION: MS increases the risk of liver fibrosis in subjects with alcohol consumption. Among high-risk drinkers, only MS and consumption of high amount of alcohol are associated with risk of liver fibrosis.

Sex-Specific Protective Effects of APOE ε2 on Cognitive Performance.

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) has an important role in the multiple trajectories of cognitive aging. However, environmental variables and other genes mediate the impact of APOE on cognition. Our main objective was to analyze the effect of APOE genotype on cognition and its interactions and relationships with sex, age, lipid profile, C-reactive protein, and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genotype in a sample of 648 healthy participants over 50 years of age with a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Our results showed that APOE ε2 carriers performed better in the Verbal Memory (p = .002) and Fluency Domains (p = .001). When we studied the effect of sex, we observed that the beneficial effect of APOE ε2 on the normalized values of these cognitive domains occurred only in females (ß = 0.735; 95% confidence interval, 0.396-1.074; p = 3.167·10-5 and ß = 0.568; 95% confidence interval, 0.276-0.861; p = 1.853·10-4, respectively). Similarly, the sex-specific effects of APOE ε2 were further observed on lipidic and inflammation biomarkers. In the whole sample, APOE ε2 carriers showed significantly lower levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and C-reactive protein. These differences were found only among females. Furthermore, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol mediated the protective effect of APOE ε2 on cognition in the whole sample and total cholesterol in females, providing candidate physiological mechanisms for the observed genetic effects. Our results show that the neuroprotective role of APOE ε2 in cognition varies with sex and that the lipidic profile partially mediates this protection. Age-related cognitive and functional decline is a continuous biological process with different cognitive trajectories (1). Complex interactions between heritability, environmental influence, and cognitive functions in aging have been highlighted (2). In particular, genetic differences explain around 15%-25% of the variance in life expectancy (3). Therefore, the identification of susceptibility genes and their biological effects on cognitive aging is required to establish interindividual differences in this process and promote early personalized interventions to delay cognitive decline and minimize the financial burden of aging in the health care system.

Long-Term Morbidity and Mortality after First and Recurrent Cardiovascular Events in the ARTPER Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular events are a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The risk of recurrence after a first cardiovascular event has been documented in the international literature, although not as extensively in a Mediterranean population-based cohort with low cardiovascular risk. There is also ample, albeit contradictory, research on the recurrence of stroke and myocardial infarctions (MI) after a first event and the factors associated with such recurrence, including the role of pathological Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI). METHODS: The Peripheral Arterial ARTPER study is aimed at deepening our knowledge of patient evolution after a first cardiovascular event in a Mediterranean population with low cardiovascular risk treated at a primary care centre. We study overall recurrence, cardiac and cerebral recurrence. We studied participants in the ARTPER prospective observational cohort, excluding patients without cardiovascular events or with unconfirmed events and patients who presented arterial calcification at baseline or who died. In total, we analyzed 520 people with at least one cardiovascular event, focusing on the presence and type of recurrence, the risk factors associated with recurrence and the behavior of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) as a predictor of risk. RESULTS: Between 2006 and 2017, 46% of patients with a first cardiovascular event experienced a recurrence of some type; most recurrences fell within the same category as the first event. The risk of recurrence after an MI was greater than after a stroke. In our study, recurrence increased with age, the presence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), diabetes and the use of antiplatelets. Diabetes mellitus was associated with all types of recurrence. Additionally, patients with an ABI < 0.9 presented more recurrences than those with an ABI ≥ 0.9. CONCLUSIONS: In short, following a cardiac event, recurrence usually takes the form of another cardiac event. However, after having a stroke, the chance of having another stroke or having a cardiac event is similar. Lastly, ABI < 0.9 may be considered a predictor of recurrence risk.

Consumo de bebidas refrescantes, deportivas y energéticas en adolescentes. Estudio BEENIS / Consumption of soft, sports, and energy drinks in adolescents. The BEENIS study

INTRODUCCIÓN: Actualmente, la gran oferta de bebidas no alcohólicas se agrupa en refrescantes, deportivas y energéticas, todas ellas con un alto contenido en azúcares y su conocido riesgo de obesidad. Cada vez es más frecuente su consumo y en circunstancias no recomendables, con un elevado riesgo sobre la salud. El consumo real de bebidas deportivas y de energéticas no es bien conocido. OBJETIVO: Conocer los hábitos y el consumo de bebidas refrescantes, deportivas y energéticas en adolescentes. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal descriptivo. Se obtuvieron las encuestas de 4.769 alumnos de 13 a 18años de Sabadell, Barcelona. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de consumo de bebidas refrescantes se observó en el 92,9% de los alumnos y se realizaba preferentemente en momentos de ocio, durante las comidas y en cualquier momento del día. En deportivas fue del 61,7%, preferentemente al realizar deporte y en momentos de ocio. En energéticas fue del 49,2%, principalmente en momentos de ocio (un 49% las mezclaba con alcohol) y al realizar deporte. El consumo simultáneo de los tres tipos fue del 38%, y las bebidas refrescantes siempre eran las más habituales. DISCUSIÓN: Se describe el consumo bebidas deportivas, normalmente incluidas en las bebidas refrescantes, así como el consumo simultáneo de los tres tipos de bebidas y de los momentos en que son consumidas. Disponemos de un diagnóstico del consumo de estas bebidas en los adolescentes de nuestro ámbito que nos permitirá diseñar y evaluar intervenciones educativas para concienciar a la población adolescente y a sus familias

INTRODUCTION: The wide range of non-alcoholic drinks are currently grouped as soft (carbonated), sports, and energy drinks, and all of them have a high sugar content, along with their known risk of obesity. Their consumption is increasing and in inadvisable circumstances, as well as an elevated health risk. The real consumption of sports and energy drinks is not well known. OBJECTIVE: To determine the habits and consumption of soft, sports, and energy drinks in adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed in which questionnaires were obtained from 4,769 schoolchildren from 13 to 18years-old from de Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain. RESULTS: The prevalence of consuming soft drinks was observed in 92.9% of the adolescents, and was predominantly done during leisure time, during meals, or any time during the day. In sports it was 61.7%, mainly on practising the sport and in leisure time. In energy drinks, it was 49.2%, mainly in leisure time (they were mixed with alcohol in 49%) and on practising sport. The simultaneous consumption of the three types was 38%, and soft drinks were the most common. DISCUSSION: A description is presented on the consumption of sports drinks, normally included as soft drinks, as well as the simultaneous consumption of the three types of drinks, and the time in which they are consumed. We have a diagnostic tool of consumption of these drinks by adolescents in our setting that will enable us to design and evaluate educational interventions in order to make the adolescent population and their families aware

Impact of Dietary Habit, Iodine Supplementation and Smoking Habit on Urinary Iodine Concentration During Pregnancy in a Catalonia Population.

(1) Background: The nutritional status of women during pregnancy can have a considerable effect on maternal and fetal health, and on the perinatal outcome. Aim: to assess the changes occurring in dietary iodine intake, potassium iodide supplementation, and smoking habit, and the impact of these changes on the urinary iodine concentration (UIC) during pregnancy in a population of women in Catalonia (Spain). (2) Methods: Between 2009-2011, an observational study included a cohort of women whose pregnancies were monitored in the public health system in the Central and North Metropolitan areas of Catalonia. Women received individual educational counseling, a dietary questionnaire was completed, and a urine sample was collected for iodine determination at each trimester visit. (3) Results: 633 (67.9%) women answered the questionnaire at all 3 visits. The percentage of women with a desirable UIC (≥150 µg/L) increased from the first to the second trimester and remained stable in the third (57.3%, 68.9%, 68%; p < 0.001). Analysis of the relationship between UIC≥150 µg/L and the women's dietary habits showed that the percentage with UIC ≥150 µg/L increased with greater consumption of milk in the first trimester, and the same was true for iodized salt use in all three trimesters and iodine supplementation in all three. (4) Conclusion: During pregnancy, increased intake of milk, iodized salt, and iodine supplements were associated with an increase in the UIC.

Fiabilidad de la retinografía para la detección de retinopatía hipertensiva en Atención Primaria / Reliability of retinography for the detection of hypertensive retinopathy in Primary Care

OBJETIVO: La hipertensión arterial es una de las enfermedades más prevalentes en la población general adulta. Su importancia reside en las complicaciones que ocasiona en el lecho vascular de órganos diana como riñón, corazón, cerebro y ojo. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar la concordancia en la lectura e interpretación de retinografías de pacientes hipertensos realizadas por médicos de familia y por oftalmólogos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Es un estudio transversal multicéntrico que contó con 976 pacientes hipertensos de 50 a 70 años, participantes del proyecto «Investigating Silent Strokes in HYpertensives: a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study» (ISSYS) realizado en centros de Atención Primaria de Barcelona y que accedieron a realizarse una retinografía. Seis médicos de familia y 2 oftalmólogos valoraron la presencia de lesiones en la retina mediante los criterios de Keith-Wagener-Barker. RESULTADOS: Se analizó la concordancia Kappa inter- e intraobservador de las lecturas. La valoración de las retinografías en condiciones habituales de práctica clínica obtuvo un alto componente subjetivo, con valores de concordancia inter- e intraobservador pobres-bajos en los criterios de Keith-Wagener-Barker. Solo la valoración de los microaneurismas presentó una concordancia moderada; la ratio arteria/vena fue la menos concordante. Se recomienda la utilización de sistemas de lectura objetivos en la valoración de retinografías en pacientes hipertensos. CONCLUSIONES: La valoración de las retinografías en condiciones habituales de práctica clínica tiene un alto componente subjetivo que se refleja en unos valores de concordancia inter- e intraobservador pobres o bajos. Se recomienda la utilización de sistemas de lectura objetivos en la valoración de retinografías en pacientes hipertensos

OBJECTIVE: High blood pressure is one of the most prevalent diseases in general adult population. Its importance lies in the complications it causes in target organs such as kidney, heart, brain and eye. The aim of this work is to evaluate the agreement in the evaluation and interpretation of retinographies of hypertensive patients by family doctors and ophthalmologists. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a multicentric cross-sectional study in which 976 hypertensive patients from 50 to 70 years old were involved. They were participants of the «Investigating Silent Strokes in Hypertensives: a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study» (ISSYS project) carried out in primary care centers of Barcelona and who agreed to undergo retinography. Six family physicians and 2 ophthalmologists evaluated the presence of retinal lesions through the Keith-Wagener-Barker criteria. RESULTS: The inter/intra-observer Kappa concordance of the evaluations was analyzed. The evaluation of the retinographies under the usual conditions of clinical practice obtained a high subjective component with slight and fair intra-observer concordance values in the Keith-Wagener-Barker criteria. Only the assessment of the microaneurysms showed a moderate concordance and the ratio artery/vein was the worst concordant. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of the retinographies in habitual conditions of clinical practice has a high subjective component that is reflected in slight and fair inter-intraobserver concordance values. The use of objective reading systems in the assessment of retinography in hypertensive patients would be useful