Cardiovascular risk factors and the impact on prognosis in patients with chronic kidney disease secondary to autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most frequent hereditary renal disease. There is an increased rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in ADPKD. In this study, we evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, the achievement rates for treatment goals and cardiovascular events (CVE) in ADPKD and their relations with asymptomatic CVD in CKD from other etiologies (CKDoe) and controls. METHODS: We evaluated 2445 CKD patients (2010-2012). The information collected was: clinical, anthropometric and analytical parameters, treatments and CVD evaluation (intima-media thickness (IMT), atheromatous plaque presence and ankle-brachial index (ABI)). Laboratory, vital status, CVE and hospitalizations were collected for 4 years. RESULTS: ADPKD patients had a worse renal function and worst achievement of blood pressure, higher parathormone levels but lower proteinuria compared to CKDoe. ADPKD patients presented lower IMT values than other groups, however, an intermediate rate of pathologic ABI and atheromatous plaque was present. More than half of the patients received statins, achieving LDL-c levels < 100 only in 50 and 39.8% of them (ADPKD and CKDoe respectively). The number of CVE during the follow-up period was low. In adjusted Cox regression model, ADPDK had the lowest occurrence of CVE of all three groups (HR:0.422, 95%CI 0.221-0.808, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: ADPKD patients show intermediate control rates of CVD. A better control of CVD risk seems to be related with a lower load of CVD compared to other groups, which may lead in the long term to a better prognosis. Further investigation is necessary to determine cardiovascular prognosis in ADPKD.

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and associated factors in the Spanish population attended in primary care: Results of the IBERICAN study. / Prevalencia de la enfermedad renal crónica y factores asociados en la población asistida en atención primaria de España: resultados del estudio IBERICAN.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the factors associated with impaired renal function in the population attended in primary care (PC). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Cross-sectional and multicentre study carried out in the baseline patients of the IBERICAN study (Identificación de la poBlación Española de RIesgo CArdiovascular y reNal). CKD was considered with an estimated glomerular filtration (eGF) <60ml/min/1.73 m2 or elevated albuminuria (≥ 30mg/g). According to the eGF, the CKD was classified in six stages (1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4 and 5) and according to albuminuria in three stages (A1 or normal / slightly increased, A2 or moderately increased and A3 or severely increased). The clinical characteristics and the relationship of CKD with the main cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and other variables of interest were analysed using unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: 7,895 patients were included (mean age 57.9±14.8 years; 54.5% women). 14.4% (95% CI: 13.6-15.1) had CKD; 16.1% (95% CI: 14.9-17.3) in men and 12.9% (95% CI: 11.9-14.0) in women. A continuous increase of the prevalence was observed with age (24.8% in≥65 years) and with CVFR aggregation. The variables that were most associated with the probability of suffering CKD were left ventricular hypertrophy (OR: 1.95; p <.001), diabetes (OR: 1.58; P<.001) and hypertension (OR: 1.56; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Fourteen out of every 100 patients included in the IBERICAN study have CKD. The prevalence of CKD affects a quarter of patients ≥ 65 years and increases exponentially with the aggregation of FRCV.

Detection of unrecognized clinical heart failure in elderly hypertensive women attended in primary care setting.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportion and clinical features of unrecognized heart failure (HF) in hypertensive women ≥65 years attended in Spain. METHODS: A cross-sectional study carried out in primary healthcare setting. Patients were considered to present unrecognized clinical diagnosis of HF if they had not been previously diagnosed but fulfilled Framingham criteria for HF diagnosis. RESULTS: Of 3500 patients, the proportion of unrecognized clinical HF was 26.3%. In comparison with women without HF, all cardiovascular risk factors were more prevalent in patients with unrecognized HF; the same was observed for target organ damage, being the most frequent left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (54.1% vs 15.5%, p<0.0001), and for the presence of cardiovascular disease, being the most common coronary heart disease (24.8% vs 9.8%, p<0.0001). Predictive factors associated with the presence of unrecognized HF were LVH (OR =4.84) and the presence of previous cardiovascular disease (OR =2.26) Blood pressure control was worse in patients with unrecognized HF (16.6% vs 33.9%, p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: More than a quarter of hypertensive women ≥65 years may have clinical data of unrecognized HF. Hypertensive women with unrecognized clinical HF have a worse clinical profile and worse BP control rates than those without HF.

[Education facing risk consumption of alcoholic beverages - A proposal for interdisciplinary action from the health care professional]. / La educación ante el consumo de riesgo de bebidas alcohólicas: propuesta de actuación multidisciplinar desde el profesional de la salud.

INTRODUCTION: Educating and increasing awareness in the consumer to achieve a moderate alcohol consumption is key to promote a healthy lifestyle. Health care professionals (HCP), in particular community pharmacists and Primary Care (PC) physicians and nurses, are key influencers in the education to prevent risk behaviors. A consumer's poor knowledge of concepts such as standard unit, the recommendations on alcohol use, or the alcohol equivalence in the drinks consumed, can lead to a high-risk use, since "alcohol is alcohol" no matter what beverage contains it. Moreover, HCPs are usually not familiar with these concepts and with early detection tools such as the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test). We propose a multidisciplinary approach (PC physicians and nurses, community pharmacy, dietists-nutritionists) to educate consumers on the risks associated with the use of alcohol, supported by the development of a protocol of action subscribed by the scientific societies of these professional groups, with the main objective of contributing to optimal and updated training for HCPs. Thus, this protocol of action aims to prevent risk behaviors through consumer education, and to detect high-risk alcohol use. Moreover, this multidisciplinary and coordinated approach should help to boost communication between the different collectives involved when providing relevant information to tackle risky alcohol use from PC.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Educar y sensibilizar al consumidor para moderar el consumo de alcohol es clave para potenciar un estilo de vida saludable. Los profesionales de la salud (PS) en general, y los farmacéuticos comunitarios o los médicos y enfermeros de Atención Primaria (AP) en particular, son influenciadores clave en la educación para prevenir conductas de riesgo. El desconocimiento por parte del consumidor de conceptos como la unidad de bebida estándar, las recomendaciones de consumo, o las equivalencias de alcohol en las bebidas consumidas, puede generar consumos de riesgo alto, dado que el alcohol es alcohol y no depende de la bebida que lo contiene. Asimismo, los PS no suelen estar familiarizados con estos conceptos y con el uso de herramientas para la detección precoz, como puede ser el cuestionario AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test). Proponemos un abordaje multidisciplinar (médicos y enfermeros de AP, farmacia comunitaria, dietistas-nutricionistas) para educar al consumidor sobre el riesgo asociado al consumo de alcohol, sustentado en la elaboración de un protocolo de actuación consensuado entre las sociedades científicas de estos colectivos profesionales, cuyo objetivo fundamental es contribuir a la formación óptima y actualizada de los PS. Este protocolo de actuación pretende, por tanto, prevenir conductas de riesgo mediante la educación del consumidor y la detección de hábitos de consumo de alto riesgo. Asimismo, este abordaje multidisciplinar y coordinado debe servir para impulsar la comunicación entre los distintos colectivos a la hora de proporcionar información relevante para abordar el consumo de riesgo desde la AP de Salud.

SEEDO-SEMERGEN consensus document on continuous care of obesity between Primary Care and Specialist Hospital Units 2019. / Documento de consenso de la Sociedad Española de Obesidad (SEEDO) y de la Sociedad Española de Médicos de Atención Primaria (SEMERGEN) sobre la continuidad asistencial en obesidad entre Atención Primaria y Unidades Especializadas Hospitalarias 2019.

The high prevalence of obesity in our environment, a chronic disease of complex management and responsible for multiple comorbidities, requires the implementation of coordination strategies in clinical care between primary care and specialist hospital units. In a cross-sectional care model, primary care physicians guide all therapeutic management related to obesity. Together with them, specialists in endocrinology and nutrition and other health staff help to form a functional unit that focuses on obesity. The main goal of this document is to improve the coordination between care levels, to optimize resources, avoid patients' unrealistic expectations and improve patient follow-up after discharge from hospital.

[Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Spanish population aged 60 years-old or more. PREV-ICTUS, a population-based study]. / Prevalencia del síndrome metabólico en la población española de 60 años o más. Estudio de base poblacional PREV-ICTUS.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Information about the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in elderly population is scarce. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of MS in Spanish population=60 years-old and the associated factors. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Epidemiological population-based cross-sectional study carried out on a randomized representative simple of subjects aged=60 years-old across the Spanish territory, stratified according to autonomous communities, census and population setting. Demographic, clinical, biochemical and electrocardiographic data were collected. MS was defined following the National Education Cholesterol Program (NCEP) criteria. RESULTS: 7331 subjects -53.4% women; mean age (standard deviation): 71.6 (6.9) years- were included. The prevalence of MS was 39.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 34.5-42.4) and was greater in women (45.2%; 95% CI, 43.7-46.8%) than in men (33.8%; 95% CI, 32.3-35.4%) (p<0.001), and lower in the urban setting. High blood pressure (HBP) was the most prevalent criterion, followed by abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridemia. Subjects with MS were younger, with higher body mass index and blood pressure, and had more prevalence of organ damage and cardovascular disease (p<0,001). In the multivariate analysis, female gender, HBP, diabetes and abdominal obesity were the most strongly related factors. CONCLUSIONS: Four out of 10 subjects aged 60 years-old or more had MS, and this was related mainly to female gender, HBP, obesity and diabetes.

OPENCRONIC Study. Knowledge and Experiences of Spanish Patients and Carers about Chronic Disease.

Background: Chronic diseases are currently the main cause of morbidity and mortality and represent a major challenge to healthcare systems. The objective of this study is to know Spanish public opinion about chronic disease and how it affects their daily lives. Methods: Through a telephone or online survey of 24 questions, data was gathered on the characteristics of the respondents and their knowledge and experiences of chronic diseases. Results: Of the 2522 survey respondents, 325 had a chronic disease and were carers, 1088 had a chronic disease and were not carers, 140 did not have a chronic disease but were carers, and 969 did not have chronic disease and were not carers. The degree of knowledge on these diseases was good or very good for 69.4%, 56.0%, 62.2%, and 46.7%, respectively, for each group. All the groups agreed that chronic diseases mainly affect mood, quality of life and having to make sacrifices. Conclusions: Knowledge about chronic diseases is relatively good, although it can be improved among the Spanish population, especially among patients who report having a chronic disease and play the role of carers. However, it is important to continue maintaining the level of information and training concerning these diseases.

Perioperative and Periprocedural Management of Antithrombotic Therapy: Consensus Document of SEC, SEDAR, SEACV, SECTCV, AEC, SECPRE, SEPD, SEGO, SEHH, SETH, SEMERGEN, SEMFYC, SEMG, SEMICYUC, SEMI, SEMES, SEPAR, SENEC, SEO, SEPA, SERVEI, SECOT and AEU.

During the last few years, the number of patients receiving anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy has increased worldwide. Since this is a chronic treatment, patients receiving it can be expected to need some kind of surgery or intervention during their lifetime that may require treatment discontinuation. The decision to withdraw antithrombotic therapy depends on the patient's thrombotic risk versus hemorrhagic risk. Assessment of both factors will show the precise management of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy in these scenarios. The aim of this consensus document, coordinated by the Cardiovascular Thrombosis Working Group of the Spanish Society of Cardiology, and endorsed by most of the Spanish scientific societies of clinical specialities that may play a role in the patient-health care process during the perioperative or periprocedural period, is to recommend some simple and practical guidelines with a view to homogenizing daily clinical practice.

[Adequacy of the treatment of hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome]. / Adecuación del tratamiento de los pacientes hipertensos con síndrome metabólico.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to know the treatment of hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) attended in primary care setting, as well as the blood pressure and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) rates, and to compare these data with those of the hypertensive population without MetS. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We analyzed the subset of patients with MetS from those included in the PRESCOT study (a cross-sectional study of hypertensive subjects >18 years attended in primary care). The PRESCOT population was composed by 12,954 patients (49.9% females; 62.1+/-10.7 years). MetS was diagnosed according to NCEP-ATP-III criteria. RESULTS: 6,736 (52%) patients fulfilled diagnosis criteria of MetS (mean age 62.3+/-10.5 years; 43.9% males). Almost all MetS patients (98.2%) were on any medication, and 80.5% were at least on two drugs. Despite hypertensive MetS patients were treated with more antihypertensive medications (45.3% vs 36.6% were on two or more drugs, p < 0.001) and used more lipid-lowering agents (43% vs 39.1%, p < 0.001) than patients without MetS, the blood pressure control (according to European guidelines) and LDL-c control (according to NCEP-ATP III) rates were lower in patients with MetS (17.2% vs 33.6% and 17.2% vs 35.7%, p < 0.0001). Only 4.7% of patients with MetS were adequately controlled for both factors, LDL-c and blood pressure, vs 13.5% of patients without MetS, (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of MetS in the hypertensive population attended in Spanish primary care settings is very common. Even though in hypertensives with MetS more drugs are prescribed, blood pressure and LDL-c control rates are worse in this population than in patients without MetS.

[Cardiovascular risk profile of uncontrolled hypertensive patients. The Control-Project study]. / Perfil de riesgo cardiovascular de los pacientes con hipertensión arterial no controlada. Estudio Control-Project.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To assess absolute cardiovascular risk and co-morbidities in uncontrolled hypertensive patients (blood pressure [BP]>or=140/90 mmHg or>or=130/80 mmHg in diabetics) attending Primary Care Physicians in Spain, and to determine the attitudes of these physicians towards this problem. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Cross-sectional, multicenter study involving 356 general practitioners around Spain. Absolute cardiovascular risk was assessed according to ESH-ESC 2003 Guidelines in a sample of 1,710 patients. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety seven patients were excluded by several reasons and a total of 1,413 hypertensive patients were valuable (mean age: 65.3+/-11.4 years; 56.7% women). Normal BP values (<140/90 mmHg) were exhibited by 0.2%, high-normal BP (120-139/80-89 mmHg) were exhibited by 2.8%, grade 1 hypertension (140-159/90-99 mmHg) by 49.9%, grade 2 hypertension (160-179/100-109 mmHg) by 39.3%, and grade 3 hypertension (>or=180/110 mmHg) by 7.9%. Associated cardiovascular risk factors were observed in 96.0% of patients (95% CI=94.7-97.2%), target organ damage in 34.5% (95% CI=31.6-36.5%), and cardiovascular clinical disease in 36.0% (95% CI=33.5-38.5%). According to ESH-ESC 2003 Guidelines 34.0% (CI=31.5-38.2%) were at very-high risk; 29.4% (95% CI=26.4-32.8%) at high risk; 30.4% (95% CI=27.2-33.7%) at moderate risk and 5.4% (95% CI=3.9-7.2%) at low risk of cardiovascular disease. Despite the high absolute risk, physicians did not do any therapeutic change in 30.4% (95% CI=28.2-33.5%) of uncontrolled hypertensive patients. Most of them (64.26%) considered that bad compliance to life style changes was the reason for inadequate BP control. The most frequent measure introduced was the association of additional drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Absolute cardiovascular risk in uncontrolled hypertensive patients attending Primary Care Physicians in Spain is very relevant. Sixty-five percent of these patients are at high or very high risk with a high prevalence of target organ damage or associated cardiovascular clinical disease. Therapeutic attitudes towards these patients are still very conservative although they are improving compared with previous studies.

Consensus document for the use of the Polypill in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. / Documento de consenso del uso clínico de la Polypill en la prevención secundaria del riesgo cardiovascular.

Cardiovascular disease is a chronic disorder which is usually already at an advanced stage when the first symptoms develop. The fact that the initial clinical presentation can be lethal or highly incapacitating emphasizes the need for primary and secondary prevention. It is estimated that the ratio of patients with good adherence to secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease is low and also decreases gradually over time. The Polypill for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease is the first fixed-dose combination therapy of salicylic acid, atorvastatin and ramipril approved in Spain. The purpose of this consensus document was to define and recommend, through the evidence available in the literature and clinical expert opinion, the impact of treatment adherence in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and the use of the Polypill in daily clinical practice as part of a global strategy including adjustments in patient lifestyle. A RAND/UCLA methodology based on scientific evidence, as well as the collective judgment and clinical expertise of an expert panel was used for this assessment. As a result, a final report of recommendations on the impact of the lack of adherence to treatment of secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and the effect of using a Polypill in adherence of patients was produced. The recommendations included in this document have been addressed to all those specialists, cardiologists, internists and primary care physicians with competence in prescribing and monitoring patients with high and very high cardiovascular risks.

[Treatment and control of cardiovascular risk in primary care in Spain. The PREVENCAT study]. / Tratamiento y control del riesgo cardiovascular en atención primaria en España. Estudio PREVENCAT.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The PREVENCAT study was designed to estimate the control of the main cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and their treatment in a sample of population having the diagnoses of hypertension (HT), type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) or hypercholesterolemia (HC) who was attended by primary care physicians in Spain. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Cross-sectional study in patients with HT, DM2 and/or HC, who were consecutively recruited. We describe the treatments for HT, DM2 and HC and analyze and the association between several potential predictors and the control of these CVRF. RESULTS: 2,649 patients were included in the study. 95% of HT patients were under treatment, as were 84% of DM2 and 71.4% of HC patients; most common drugs were diuretics, sulphonylureas and statins, respectively. Monotherapy was more frequent than combined therapy for hypertension treatment. The frequency of HT and DM2 treatment was similar among the subgroups defined by the presence or absence of the other two diagnoses. However, HC treatment was more common in the presence of DM2 (p = 0.001). Age, previous cardiovascular disease (CVD), DM2, obesity and sedentarism were all predictors of poor blood pressure control despite drug treatment. Age, previous CVD, HT and sedentarism were predictors of poor HC control. CONCLUSIONS: CVRF treatment was high although heterogeneous and not based on the best available evidence. DM2, previous CVD and obesity were associated with insufficient blood pressure control.

Prevalencia de la enfermedad renal crónica y factores asociados en la población asistida en atención primaria de España: resultados del estudio IBERICAN / Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and associated factors in the Spanish population attended in primary care: Results of the IBERICAN study

Objetivos: Conocer la prevalencia de enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) y determinar los factores asociados al deterioro de la función renal en población asistida en atención primaria.Pacientes y métodoEstudio transversal y multicéntrico realizado en los pacientes basales del estudio IBERICAN (identificación de la población española de riesgo cardiovascular y renal). Se consideró ERC a un filtrado glomerular estimado (FGe)<60ml/min/1,73m2 o albuminuria elevada (≥30mg/g). Según el FGe se clasificó la ERC en 6 estadios (1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4 y 5) y según la albuminuria en 3 (A1 o normal/ligeramente aumentada, A2 o moderadamente aumentada y A3 o gravemente aumentada). Se analizaron las características clínicas y la relación de la ERC con los principales factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV) y otras variables de interés mediante regresión logística no condicional.ResultadosSe incluyeron 7.895 pacientes (edad media 57,9±14,8 años; 54,5% mujeres). El 14,4% (IC 95%: 13,6-15,1) presentaba ERC; en hombres un 16,1% (IC 95%: 14,9-17,3) y en mujeres un 12,9% (IC 95%: 11,9-14,0). Se observó un aumento continuo de la prevalencia con la edad (24,8%≥65años) y con la agregación de FRCV. Las variables que más se asociaron a la probabilidad de padecer ERC fueron hipertrofia ventricular izquierda (OR: 1,95; p<0,001), diabetes (OR: 1,58; p<0,001) e hipertensión (OR: 1,56; p<0,001).ConclusionesCatorce de cada 100 pacientes incluidos en el estudio IBERICAN presenta ERC. La prevalencia de ERC afecta a la cuarta parte de pacientes≥65 años y aumenta exponencialmente con la agregación de FRCV. (AU)

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the factors associated with impaired renal function in the population attended in primary care (PC).Patients and methodCross-sectional and multicentre study carried out in the baseline patients of the IBERICAN study (Identificación de la poBlación Española de RIesgo CArdiovascular y reNal). CKD was considered with an estimated glomerular filtration (eGF) <60ml/min/1.73 m2 or elevated albuminuria (≥ 30mg/g). According to the eGF, the CKD was classified in six stages (1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4 and 5) and according to albuminuria in three stages (A1 or normal / slightly increased, A2 or moderately increased and A3 or severely increased). The clinical characteristics and the relationship of CKD with the main cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and other variables of interest were analysed using unconditional logistic regression.Results7,895 patients were included (mean age 57.9±14.8 years; 54.5% women). 14.4% (95% CI: 13.6-15.1) had CKD; 16.1% (95% CI: 14.9-17.3) in men and 12.9% (95% CI: 11.9-14.0) in women. A continuous increase of the prevalence was observed with age (24.8% in≥65 years) and with CVFR aggregation. The variables that were most associated with the probability of suffering CKD were left ventricular hypertrophy (OR: 1.95; p <.001), diabetes (OR: 1.58; P<.001) and hypertension (OR: 1.56; P<.001).ConclusionsFourteen out of every 100 patients included in the IBERICAN study have CKD. The prevalence of CKD affects a quarter of patients ≥ 65 years and increases exponentially with the aggregation of FRCV. (AU)

La educación ante el consumo de riesgo de bebidas alcohólicas: propuesta de actuación multidisciplinar desde el profesional de la salud / Education facing risk consumption of alcoholic beverages - A proposal for multidisciplinary action from the health care professionals

Educar y sensibilizar al consumidor para moderar el consumo de alcohol es clave para potenciar un estilo de vida saludable. Los profesionales de la salud (PS) en general, y los farmacéuticos comunitarios o los médicos y enfermeros de Atención Primaria (AP) en particular, son influenciadores clave en la educación para prevenir conductas de riesgo. El desconocimiento por parte del consumidor de conceptos como la unidad de bebida estándar, las recomendaciones de consumo, o las equivalencias de alcohol en las bebidas consumidas, puede generar consumos de riesgo alto, dado que el alcohol es alcohol y no depende de la bebida que lo contiene. Asimismo, los PS no suelen estar familiarizados con estos conceptos y con el uso de herramientas para la detección precoz, como puede ser el cuestionario AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test). Proponemos un abordaje multidisciplinar (médicos y enfermeros de AP, farmacia comunitaria, dietistas-nutricionistas) para educar al consumidor sobre el riesgo asociado al consumo de alcohol, sustentado en la elaboración de un protocolo de actuación consensuado entre las sociedades científicas de estos colectivos profesionales, cuyo objetivo fundamental es contribuir a la formación óptima y actualizada de los PS. Este protocolo de actuación pretende, por tanto, prevenir conductas de riesgo mediante la educación del consumidor y la detección de hábitos de consumo de alto riesgo. Asimismo, este abordaje multidisciplinar y coordinado debe servir para impulsar la comunicación entre los distintos colectivos a la hora de proporcionar información relevante para abordar el consumo de riesgo desde la AP de Salud

Educating and increasing awareness in the consumer to achieve a moderate alcohol consumption is key to promote a healthy lifestyle. Health care professionals (HCP), in particular community pharmacists and Primary Care (PC) physicians and nurses, are key influencers in the education to prevent risk behaviors. A consumer's poor knowledge of concepts such as standard unit, the recommendations on alcohol use, or the alcohol equivalence in the drinks consumed, can lead to a high-risk use, since "alcohol is alcohol" no matter what beverage contains it. Moreover, HCPs are usually not familiar with these concepts and with early detection tools such as the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test). We propose a multidisciplinary approach (PC physicians and nurses, community pharmacy, dietists-nutritionists) to educate consumers on the risks associated with the use of alcohol, supported by the development of a protocol of action subscribed by the scientific societies of these professional groups, with the main objective of contributing to optimal and updated training for HCPs. Thus, this protocol of action aims to prevent risk behaviors through consumer education, and to detect high-risk alcohol use. Moreover, this multidisciplinary and coordinated approach should help to boost communication between the different collectives involved when providing relevant information to tackle risky alcohol use from PC

COVID-19 y enfermedad cardiovascular y renal: ¿dónde estamos? ¿Hacia dónde vamos? / COVID-19 and cardiovascular and kidney disease: where are we? Where are we going?

La pandemia SARS-CoV-2, es una emergencia sanitaria global y necesitamos conocer más sobre ella. Los pacientes con riesgo cardiovascular (ECV) y renal previo, se han identificado especialmente vulnerables para una mayor morbi-mortalidad cuando sufren la COVID-19; y una proporción considerable de pacientes puede desarrollar una lesión vascular en el contexto de la enfermedad que conlleva una mayor letalidad. Las complicaciones cardiovasculares y renales representan un problema y, probablemente en un futuro próximo, puedan suponer una amenaza para los pacientes que han sobrevivido a la COVID-19. Cómo médicos no podemos olvidar que durante una epidemia como esta, otras enfermedades -crónicas- siguen presentes, y los pacientes continúan precisando atención. Estamos obligados a vigilar de una forma incluso más intensa, sus tratamientos y grado de control. Además, no debemos olvidar que las situaciones urgentes siguen presentándose en esta situación de pandemia y precisando atención rápida; en esta situación actual es muy probable que muchos pacientes, por miedo, no hayan buscado atención médica. La situación durante la epidemia y la incertidumbre de la época post COVID-19, exige la intensificación en el control y seguimiento de la ECV y renal de nuestros pacientes. La atención primaria constituye un nivel asistencial clave para el cuidado de la población con ECV. Del mismo modo, y ante este nuevo escenario sanitario, necesitamos impulsar las medidas de prevención y control que emanen de los estudios actualmente en desarrollo. Ahora, más que nunca, necesitamos la investigación, crucial para mejorar el pronóstico cardiovascular y renal de nuestros pacientes

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is a global health emergency and we need to know more about it. Patients with cardiovascular risk (CVD) and previous kidney risk have been identified as especially vulnerable for greater morbidity and mortality when they suffer from COVID-19. A considerable proportion of patients can develop a vascular lesion in the context of the disease that entails a greater lethality. Cardiovascular and renal complications represent a problem and, probably in the near future, may pose a threat to patients who have survived COVID-19. As physicians, we cannot forget that during an epidemic like this, other chronic diseases are present, and patients continue to require care. We are obliged to monitor even more intensely their treatments and control degree. Furthermore, we must not forget that urgent situations continue to arise in this pandemic situation and require prompt attention. In this current situation, it is very likely that many patients, out of fear, have not sought medical attention. The situation during the epidemic and the uncertainty of the post-COVID-19 period, requires intensification in the control and monitoring of CVD and kidney in our patients. Primary care constitutes a key level of care for the care of the population with CVD. Likewise, and in the face of this new health scenario, we need to promote the prevention and control measures that emanate from the studies currently underway. Now, more than ever, we need research, crucial to improve the cardiovascular and renal prognosis of our patients

Evolution of clinical profile, treatment and blood pressure control in treated hypertensive patients according to the sex from 2002 to 2010 in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the evolution of clinical profile, management of hypertension, and blood pressure (BP) control according to sex in the past decade in Spain. METHODS: Data were taken from three surveys (PRESión arterial en la población española en los Centros de Atención Primaria studies) aimed to determine BP control rates in treated hypertensive patients, who attended the primary care in Spain during 2002, 2006, and 2010, respectively. Adequate BP control was defined as BP lower than 140/90 mmHg for the general hypertensive population in the three surveys. In patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or cardiovascular disease, BP control was established as lower than 130/85 mmHg in the 2002 survey and lower than 130/80 mmHg in the 2006 and 2010 surveys. RESULTS: A total of 12 754 (57.2% women), 10 520 (53.7% women), and 12 961 (51.7% women) patients were included. The proportion of patients with cardiovascular disease increased from 27.1% in men and 21.9% in women in 2002, to 33.0 and 23.9%, respectively, in 2010 (P < 0.0001 in men and women, respectively). In 2002, 36.3% of men and 35.9% of women achieved BP goals (P = NS); 39.7 and 42.9% in 2006 (P < 0.001); and 44.7 and 47.9% in 2010 (P < 0.0001). The proportion of men on combined therapy increased from 44.2% in 2002 to 63.9% in 2010 (P for trend < 0.0001), and in women it increased from 43.9 and 63.2%, respectively (P for trend <0.0001). CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that clinical profile of treated hypertensive patients has worsened in the past years in Spain, BP control rates have improved, particularly in women. This improvement was related with a higher use of combined therapy, regardless of sex.

The CHADS2 Score to Predict Stroke Risk in the Absence of Atrial Fibrillation in Hypertensive Patients Aged 65 Years or Older.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The CHADS2 score is a proven, essential tool for estimating cardioembolic risk (mainly stroke) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, with the purpose of determining the indication for anticoagulant therapy. In this study we analyzed the use of CHADS2 in hypertensive patients without known atrial fibrillation in a Mediterranean population. METHODS: The study included 887 hypertensive patients aged 65 years or older without atrial fibrillation or anticoagulant therapy, who attended a medical consultation. Data on the patients' main risk factors, cardiovascular history, and medication were collected, basic laboratory analyses and electrocardiography were performed, and the CHADS2 score (heart failure, hypertension, age ≥ 75 years, diabetes mellitus, and previous stroke or transient ischemic attack) was calculated. A clinical follow-up was carried out, recording hospital admissions for a stroke or transient ischemic attack. The median duration of follow-up was 804 days. RESULTS: Mean age was 72.5 (SD,5.7) years, 46.6% were men, 27.8% had diabetes, and 8.6% were smokers. During follow-up, 40 patients were hospitalized for a stroke or transient ischemic attack (4.5%). The event-free survival analysis showed significant differences according to the CHADS2 score (log rank test, P < .001). On multivariate analysis, smoking and CHADS2 ≥3 were independent predictors of stroke or transient ischemic attack. CONCLUSIONS: The CHADS2 may be useful for estimating the risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack in hypertensive patients without known atrial fibrillation.

Evolution of therapy inertia in primary care setting in Spain during 2002-2010.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the therapeutic behavior of primary care physicians in uncontrolled hypertensive patients in Spain during the last decade. METHODS: Data were taken from three cross-sectional surveys aimed to determine the blood pressure (BP) control rates in treated hypertensive patients followed in a setting of primary care in Spain during 2002, 2006, and 2010, respectively. Adequate BP control was globally defined as BP lower than 140/90 mmHg for the hypertensive population in the three studies. In patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or cardiovascular disease, BP control was established as lower than 130/85 mmHg in PRESión arterial en la población Española en los Centros de Atención Primaria (PRESCAP) 2002 and lower than 130/80 mmHg in PRESCAP 2006 and 2010. RESULTS: A total of 12, 754, 10, 520, and 12, 961 patients were included in PRESCAP 2002, 2006, and 2010 studies. Of them, 36.1, 41.4, and 46.3%, respectively, achieved BP targets. In those patients with uncontrolled BP, physicians modified the treatment in 18.3, 30.4, and 41.4% of the cases, respectively (P = 0.0001). The most frequent action taken was the change to another drug in PRESCAP 2002 (47.0%), and the addition of other antihypertensive agent in PRESCAP 2006 and 2010 (46.3 and 55.6%, respectively). Predictors of therapeutic inertia were the physicians' perception of BP control, being on treatment with combined therapy, and the absence of risk factors or cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSION: Although therapeutic inertia has decreased in the last years in primary care setting in Spain, nowadays in nearly 60% of patients with uncontrolled BP, no therapeutic action is actually taken. Therefore, despite a significant improvement, therapeutic inertia still remains a relevant clinical problem in hypertension general practice.

Gender differences related to the presence of atrial fibrillation in older hypertensive patients.

AIM: To determine whether there are gender differences in the epidemiological profile of atrial fibrillation (AF) and to characterise the clinical, biochemical, and therapeutic factors associated with AF. METHODS: Each investigator (primary care physicians or physicians based in hospital units for hypertension treatment) recruited the first 3 patients with an age of ≥ 65 years and a clinical diagnosis of hypertension (ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and an electrocardiogram, were performed) on the first working day of the week for 5 wk and identified those individuals with atrial fibrillation. A binary logistic regression was performed, including all of the variables that were significant in the univariate analysis, to establish the variables that were associated with the presence of arrhythmia. RESULTS: A total of 1028 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 72.8 ± 5.8 years. Of these patients, 47.3% were male, 9% were smokers, 27.6% were diabetics, 48.3% had dyslipidaemia, 10.9% had angina, and 6.5% had experienced a myocardial infarction. Regarding gender differences, the men exhibited a larger waist circumference, a lower body mass index, less obesity, and a more extensive history of diabetes, smoking, ischaemic heart disease, kidney failure, peripheral arterial disease and carotid disease than the women. There were no differences, however, in the prevalence of AF between the men and the women (11.5% vs 9.2%, respectively; P = no significant). Regarding treatment, the women received antiplatelet agents and diuretics less frequently, but there were no other differences in the use of antihypertensive and antithrombotic therapies. In the multivariate analysis, AF in the total study population was associated with age, alcohol consumption, the presence of heart disease, and decreased glomerular filtration. In the women, AF was associated with all of the factors included in the overall analysis, as well as the presence of left ventricle hypertrophy. In contrast, in the men, the only risk factors associated with AF were age, the presence of heart disease and alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION: In patients with hypertension over 65 years of age, there are relevant gender differences in the factors associated with AF.

Manejo perioperatorio y periprocedimiento del tratamiento antitrombótico: documento de consenso de SEC, SEDAR, SEACV, SECTCV, AEC, SECPRE, SEPD, SEGO, SEHH, SETH, SEMERGEN, SEMFYC, SEMG, SEMICYUC, SEMI, SEMES, SEPAR, SENEC, SEO, SEPA, SERVEI, SECOT y AEU / Perioperative and periprocedural management of antithrombotic therapy: consensus document of SEC, SEDAR, SEACV, SECTCV, AEC, SECPRE, SEPD, SEGO, SEHH, SETH, SEMERGEN, SEMFYC, SEMG, SEMICYUC, SEMI, SEMES, SEPAR, SENEC, SEO, SEPA, SERVEI, SECOT and AEU

En los últimos años, el número de pacientes anticoagulados y antiagregados está aumentando significativamente. Al ser un tratamiento crónico, es de esperar que a lo largo de su vida necesiten un procedimiento quirúrgico o intervencionista que pueda requerir la interrupción del fármaco antitrombótico. La decisión de retirar o mantener dicho tratamiento estará determinada, por un lado, por el riesgo trombótico y, por otro, por el hemorrágico. De la interacción entre estos 2 factores dependerá la actitud ante la anticoagulación y la antiagregación. El objetivo de este documento de consenso, coordinado desde el Grupo de Trabajo de Trombosis Cardiovascular de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología y certificado por un amplio número de sociedades científicas que participan en el proceso asistencial del paciente durante el periodo perioperatorio o periprocedimiento, consiste en proponer una serie de recomendaciones prácticas y sencillas con el fin de homogeneizar la práctica clínica diaria

During the last few years, the number of patients receiving anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy has increased worldwide. Since this is a chronic treatment, patients receiving it can be expected to need some kind of surgery or intervention during their lifetime that may require treatment discontinuation. The decision to withdraw antithrombotic therapy depends on the patient's thrombotic risk versus hemorrhagic risk. Assessment of both factors will show the precise management of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy in these scenarios. The aim of this consensus document, coordinated by the Cardiovascular Thrombosis Working Group of the Spanish Society of Cardiology, and endorsed by most of the Spanish scientific societies of clinical specialities that may play a role in the patient-health care process during the perioperative or periprocedural period, is to recommend some simple and practical guidelines with a view to homogenizing daily clinical practice