Prevalence and associated factors of premature discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy after ischemic stroke: a nationwide population-based study.

BACKGROUND: We tried to evaluate the prevalence of premature discontinuation of antiplatelets and its affecting factors after ischemic stroke using large-sized representative national claims data. METHODS: Patients aged 20 years or older with newly confirmed ischemic stroke who started aspirin or clopidogrel for the first time were selected from 2003 to 2010 National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) of South Korea (n = 4621), a randomly collected sample which accounts for 2.2% (n = 1,017,468) of total population (n = 46,605,433). The prevalence of discontinuation of antiplatelets was measured every 6 months until the 24 months since the first prescription. Then we classified the participants into 2 groups according to the discontinuation status at 12 months and assessed the factors influencing premature discontinuation of antiplatelets within 12 months. RESULTS: Among total participants, 35.5% (n = 1640) discontinued antiplatelets within 12 months and 58.5% (n = 2704) discontinued them within 24 months. The remaining 41.5% (n = 1917) continued them for 24 months or more. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, initiating treatment with aspirin monotherapy [adjusted OR (aOR), 2.66, 95% CI 2.17-3.25] was the most prominent determinant of premature discontinuation within 12 months followed by CCI score ≥ 6 (aOR 1.50, 95% CI 1.31-1.98), and beginning treatment with clopidogrel monotherapy (aOR 1.41, 95% CI 1.15-1.72). Rural residency (aOR 1.36, 95% CI 1.14-1.62), < 4 total prescribed drugs (aOR 1.24, 95% CI 1.05-1.47), lower income (aOR 1.20, 95% CI 1.03-1.40 for middle income class and OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.02-1.45 for low income class), and ages ≥70 years (aOR 1.15, 95% CI 1.00-1.31) were also significantly associated with premature discontinuation of antiplatelets within 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of premature discontinuation of antiplatelets after ischemic stroke was quite high. Thus, by understanding factors associated with premature discontinuation, a more strategic approach is required for the physicians to improve persistence with antiplatelets.

Effect of antiplatelet persistence on long-term mortality and predictors of non-persistence in ischemic stroke patients 75 years and older: a nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to provide real-world evidence on the benefit of persistence with antiplatelet therapy (APT) on long-term all-cause mortality (ACM) in ischemic stroke patients aged 75 years and older. METHODS: Newly diagnosed ischemic stroke patients aged 75 years and older who initiated aspirin or clopidogrel for the first time were chosen from 2003 to 2010 National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) of Korea (n = 887), a random cohort sample accounting for 2.2% (n = 1,017,468) of total population (n = 46,605,433). Then subjects were divided into persistent (n = 556) and non-persistent (n = 321) groups according to the persistent status at 6 months. Survivor analysis was performed between the two groups and predictors of non-persistence were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Patients were followed up until death or December 31, 2013. RESULTS: Non-persistence with APT was significantly associated with increased risk of ACM (adjusted hazard ration [aHR] 2.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.72-2.65), cerebro-cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality (aHR 2.26, 95% CI 1.57-3.24), and non-CVD mortality (aHR 2.06, 95% CI 1.5702.70). More comorbidities (Charlson comorbidity index score ≥ 6) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.56, 95% CI 1.43-4.55), older age (aOR 1.52, 95% CI 1.11-2.09 for 80-84 years, aOR 1.73, 95% CI 1.17-2.57 for ≥85 years), and less than 4 total prescribed drugs (aOR 1.54, 95% CI 1.08-2.21) were independent predictors of non-persistence. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent with APT after ischemic stroke featured long-term mortality benefit even in patients aged 75 years and older. Thus, improving APT persistence for ischemic stroke patients in this age group is also recommended by understanding factors associated with non-persistence.

I148M variant in PNPLA3 reduces central adiposity and metabolic disease risks while increasing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The I148M variant because of the substitution of C to G in PNPLA3 (rs738409) is associated with the increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In liver, I148M variant reduces hydrolytic function of PNPLA3, which results in hepatic steatosis; however, its association with the other clinical phenotype such as adiposity and metabolic diseases is not well established. METHODS: To identify the impact of I148M variant on clinical risk factors of NAFLD, we recruited 1363 generally healthy Korean males after excluding alcoholic and secondary causes of hepatic steatosis. Central adiposity was assessed by computed tomography, and hepatic steatosis was evaluated by abdominal ultrasonography. RESULTS: The participants were predominantly middle-aged (49.0 ± 7.1 years; range 30-60 years), and the frequency of NAFLD was 44.2%. The rs738409-G allele carriers had a 1.19-fold increased risk for NAFLD (minor allele frequency 0.43; allelic odds ratio 1.38; P = 4.3 × 10(-5) ). Interestingly, the rs738409 GG carriers showed significantly lower levels of visceral and subcutaneous adiposity (P < 0.001 and = 0.015, respectively), BMI (P < 0.001), triglycerides (P < 0.001) and insulin resistance (P = 0.002) compared to CC carriers. These negative associations between clinical risk factors and rs738409-G dosage were more prominent in non-NAFLD group compared to those in NAFLD group. CONCLUSIONS: The I148M variant, although increasing the risk of NAFLD, was associated with reduced levels of central adiposity, BMI, serum triglycerides and insulin resistance, suggesting differential roles in fat storage and distribution according to cell types and metabolic status.

Alcohol is longitudinally associated with lower urinary tract symptoms partially via high-density lipoprotein.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies on the association of alcohol consumption with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) have been inconsistent, and none took into account the dynamic nature of LUTS, fluctuating over time. The purpose of the study was to determine the longitudinal association of alcohol consumption with LUTS. METHODS: We used generalized estimating equations to analyze the longitudinal association of alcohol consumption with LUTS in a longitudinal study of 9,712 healthy men 30 years or older who visited our institution multiple times for routine comprehensive health evaluations, with an average follow-up period of 27.9 months. RESULTS: Light-moderate alcohol consumption (0.1 to 29 g/d) was associated with decreased likelihood of moderate-severe LUTS, whereas heavy alcohol consumption (≥30 g/d) was associated with increased likelihood of moderate-severe LUTS in a dose-dependent manner. Compared to those with 0 g/d alcohol intake, subjects who drank 0.1 to 9.9, 10 to 19.9, 20 to 29.9, 30 to 39.9, or ≥40 g/d of alcohol were in general significantly associated with moderate-severe LUTS with adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) as follows respectively: 0.94 (0.87 to 1.02), 1.00 (0.91 to 1.09), 0.85 (0.77 to 0.93), 1.08 (0.98 to 1.19), and 1.31 (1.19 to 1.44). However, the protective association of light-moderate alcohol consumption with LUTS was greatly attenuated when serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was added to the analysis, specifically for voiding symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: We show strong evidence there is longitudinal association of alcohol consumption with LUTS. The protective effect of light-moderate alcohol consumption on LUTS is in part modulated by HDL as a confounder, similar to its effect on coronary heart disease.

Preferences for the "screen and treat" strategy of Helicobacter pylori to prevent gastric cancer in healthy Korean populations.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication may reduce the risk of gastric cancer, and professional guidelines recommend eradication based on patients' preference. However, little data exist regarding individual's preference for HP eradication to prevent gastric cancer. We explored healthy Korean populations' preference for HP "screen and treat" strategy and its associated factors. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 604 healthy adults expected to undergo screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy during routine health checkups. Survey packages-including a decision aid about "screen and treat" strategy for the HP eradication-were sent to the eligible people 1-3 weeks before the health checkup. Within the survey package, we first assessed people's knowledge and experience with HP test and treatment, provided the decision aid, and evaluated participants' preference for screening and treatment for HP to prevent gastric cancer. RESULTS: With the provision of the decision aid, most participants (73.7%) opted for the "screen and treat" strategy. Having family member(s) with gastric cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.28; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.16-4.47), previous treatment history of HP (aOR = 2.70; 95% CI, 1.38-5.29), and higher baseline knowledge (aOR = 1.16; 95% CI, 1.07-1.26) were significantly associated with accepting the strategy. Most participants (71.4%)-and even individuals who did not choose "screen and treat" strategy-agreed with the provision with the decision aid. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals preferred to take the "screen and treat" strategy for the prevention of gastric cancer. Further intervention study is warranted to see if implementation of decisional support would improve decision quality and patient outcomes.

Protective effects of vitamin E on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of vitamin E for preventing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). METHODS: A comprehensive search from 1973 through July 2011 identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported the preventive effects of vitamin E on CIPN. The relative risk (RR) of CIPN with vitamin E supplementation, compared with placebo, was assessed with the Bayesian random effect model and expressed as RR with a 95 % credible-interval (CrI). Bayesian outcome probabilities were calculated as the probability (P) of RR < 1. RESULTS: Five RCTs, involving 319 patients, were identified. Upon pooling these RCTs, vitamin E supplementation (300 - 600 mg/day) had a significant effect on CIPN prevention (RR 0.43; 95 % CrI 0.10 - 1.00, P = 97.5 %). Subgroup analysis by chemotherapeutic agent type was only available for cisplatin and showed that vitamin E supplementation significantly reduced the incidence of CIPN (RR 0.26; 95 % CrI 0.06 - 0.89, P = 98.1 %). Furthermore, there were no adverse effects caused by vitamin E supplementation in any of the RCTs. CONCLUSION: Available data included in this meta-analysis show that vitamin E supplementation might significantly prevent CIPN. Currently, however, the data are insufficient to confidently conclude the true value. Large-scale, rigorously designed RCTs are needed to confirm the role of vitamin E supplementation in CIPN prevention.

Association of intraabdominal fat with the risk of incident chronic kidney disease according to body mass index among Korean adults.

BACKGROUND: The association between abdominal visceral adipose tissue and the risk of incident chronic kidney disease according to body mass index in the Asian population, remains unclear. We evaluated the impact of abdominal adiposity stratified by body mass index on the risk of incident chronic kidney disease. METHODS: A cohort study included 11,050 adult participants who underwent health check-ups and re-evaluated the follow-up medical examination at a single university-affiliated healthcare center. Cross-sectional abdominal adipose tissue areas were measured using computed tomography. The primary outcome was progression to chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73m2). The highest quartile of visceral adipose tissue was used for the cut-off of central obesity. RESULTS: During the mean of 5.6 follow-up years, 104 incident chronic kidney disease cases were identified. The risk for chronic kidney disease incidence was significantly increased in the 3rd and 4th quartile ranges of visceral adipose tissue [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval)]: 4.59 (1.48-14.30) and 7.50 (2.33-24.20), respectively. In the analysis stratified by body mass index, the chronic kidney disease incidence risk was increased in the highest quartile range of visceral adipose tissue in the normal weight group: 7.06 (1.35-37.04). However, there was no significant relationship between visceral adipose tissue and chronic kidney disease in the obese group. Compared to the subjects with normal weight and absent central obesity, the hazard ratio for chronic kidney disease incidence was 2.32 (1.26-4.27) among subjects with normal weight and central obesity and 1.81 (1.03-3.15) among subjects with obesity and central obesity. CONCLUSION: Visceral adipose tissue was a significant risk factor for subsequent chronic kidney disease progression, and the association was identified only in the normal weight group. Normal-weight central obesity was associated with excess risk of chronic kidney disease, similar to the risk in the group with obesity and central obesity.

Effect of central obesity on prostate specific antigen measured by computerized tomography: related markers and prostate volume.

PURPOSE: We assessed the effects of central adiposity represented by visceral adipose tissue on prostate volume, prostate specific antigen, and prostate specific antigen mass and mass ratio. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 6,389 Asian men 30 to 79 years old. Prostate volume was estimated by transrectal ultrasound. Visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue was measured by computerized tomography. Multivariate linear regression analysis was done between prostate specific antigen related variables and obesity indexes such as body mass index, waist circumference, and visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue after adjusting for age. RESULTS: Body mass index, waist circumference and subcutaneous adipose tissue were inversely associated with prostate specific antigen (p for trend <0.001) but visceral adipose tissue showed no associations with prostate specific antigen (p for trend = 0.740). Waist circumference, and visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue were positively associated with prostate specific antigen mass (p for trend = 0.014, <0.001 and 0.036, respectively). However, body mass index did not show this association (p for trend = 0.372). Body mass index, waist circumference and subcutaneous adipose tissue negatively affected the prostate specific antigen mass ratio (each p for trend <0.05) but there was no such significant correlation for visceral adipose tissue (p for trend = 0.187). When adjusted for visceral adipose tissue body mass index was not associated with prostate volume (p for trend = 0.152) but visceral adipose tissue remained positively associated with prostate volume even after adjusting for body mass index (p for trend = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Visceral adiposity is the main determining factor of the prostate volume increase and prostate specific antigen production.

Alcohol consumption shows a J-shaped association with lower urinary tract symptoms in the general screening population.

PURPOSE: Controversial and contradictory data on the association between alcohol consumption and lower urinary tract symptoms are currently available in the literature. In this study we determined the association between alcohol consumption and lower urinary tract symptoms, including voiding and storage symptoms, in a large general screening population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 30,196 men 30 years old or older participating in a comprehensive health evaluation at the Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center. Men with a history of prostate related medical problems such as prostate cancer, prostate surgery or prostatitis were excluded from study. Using the International Prostate Symptom Score, lower urinary tract symptoms were defined as a score of 8 or greater, indicating moderate to severe symptoms. We used logistic regression analysis to determine the association between alcohol consumption and lower urinary tract symptoms. RESULTS: After adjustment for eligible covariates, graphing of the association between alcohol consumption and the risk of moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms showed a J-shaped curve. Compared with nondrinkers, the odds ratios of moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms were 0.91 (95% CI 0.84-0.98) in men who drank 0 to 10 gm daily and 1.19 (95% CI 1.07-1.33) in those who drank 40 or more gm daily. This is a cross-sectional study with data from self-reported alcohol consumption and, therefore, the reported amounts of alcohol consumption might be underestimated. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge this is the largest population based study to evaluate the relationship between alcohol consumption and moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms, including voiding and storage symptoms. In men alcohol consumption shows a J-shaped curve relationship with the risk of moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms.

Association between metabolic syndrome and Helicobacter pylori infection diagnosed by histologic status and serological status.

GOALS: We aimed to simultaneously evaluate the association between metabolic syndrome and Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection diagnosed histologically and serologically in a large number of healthy Korean adults. BACKGROUND: Serological positivity for HP does not necessarily indicate current infection. No study to date has compared the association between metabolic syndrome and HP infection diagnosed by histologic and serological status. STUDY: HP status was ascertained histologically and serologically in healthy Korean adults who underwent comprehensive health screening in a private health screening center in Korea. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation definition. Multivariate logistic analyses were performed, after adjusting for potential confounders, including age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, and income level. RESULTS: A total of 5889 subjects were included in the analysis. The metabolic syndrome was more strongly associated with histologic positivity for HP [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.26; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08-1.48] than serologic positivity (aOR=1.12, 95% CI, 0.95-1.32), after adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and economic status. CONCLUSIONS: The stronger association between metabolic syndrome and histologic positivity than serological positivity suggests that the effects of HP infection on the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic outcomes may be reversible. Further prospective studies are needed.

A low level of serum total testosterone is independently associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: The association between low serum testosterone levels, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and metabolic syndrome is now well known. However, the relationship between hepatic steatosis and serum testosterone levels has not been extensively studied. Our aim was to investigate the association of serum total testosterone levels with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), adjusting for the influence of VAT and insulin resistance. METHODS: This study is a retrospective observational cross-sectional one of healthy Korean men and was conducted at the Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center. We used data obtained from 495 men who were at least 20 years of age and who had undergone blood testing, abdominal computed tomography, and ultrasonography. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association of serum total testosterone levels with NAFLD. RESULTS: Men in the low serum testosterone quintile were at a higher risk for NAFLD than men in the highest serum testosterone quintile. After adjusting for age, smoking, diabetes, exercise, BMI, triglycerides, and high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, subjects with serum testosterone levels in the lowest quintile had an odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) of 5.12 (2.43-10.77) for NAFLD (p value, 0.0004). The inverse association between serum testosterone and NAFLD was attenuated by further adjustment for variables including VAT; however, it remained statistically significant (OR (95% CI): 4.52 (2.09-9.80) in the lowest quintile; p value=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: A low serum total testosterone level was independently associated with NAFLD. This report is the first one suggesting the association remains unchanged even after controlling for VAT and insulin resistance.

Metabolic syndrome and accompanying hyperinsulinemia have favorable effects on lower urinary tract symptoms in a generally healthy screened population.

PURPOSE: We assessed the association of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and lower urinary tract symptoms in a large, screened adult population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 33,841 Korean men 30 years old or older who underwent routine health assessments from October 2003 to February 2010. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the modified Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Lower urinary tract symptoms were assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score. Blood samples were drawn in the morning after patients had fasted at least 12 hours. RESULTS: Lower urinary tract symptoms had a marginally negative association with metabolic syndrome after adjusting for age (p = 0.045). This negative association became more significant as the number of metabolic syndrome components increased (p trend <0.01), especially voiding symptoms (p trend <0.01). Increasing the level of fasting insulin and the severity of insulin resistance were associated with a lower age adjusted OR for lower urinary tract symptoms (p <0.01 and 0.03, respectively). However, the diabetes group with high HbA1c (8.0% or greater) had a higher age adjusted OR for lower urinary tract symptoms, especially storage symptoms. The group with metabolic syndrome plus insulin resistance had lower total International Prostate Symptom Score, voiding symptoms, storage symptoms and quality of life scores than those without metabolic syndrome and/or insulin resistance (p <0.01, 0.01, 0.047 and 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and the accompanying hyperinsulinemia may have favorable effects on lower urinary tract symptoms in the early compensatory stage, especially voiding symptoms. However, advanced diabetes may have unfavorable effects on lower urinary tract symptoms, especially storage symptoms. Hyperinsulinemia in patients with metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance may be a key factor in this phenomenon.

The illusion of prostate-specific antigen decline in patients with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance.

UNLABELLED: What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Studies have shown that PSA is negatively associated with obesity as a result of hemodilution or metabolic effect. Hemodilution could be the main reason for low PSA levels in obese men. However, the intrinsic metabolic effects such as insulin resistance (IR) or metabolic syndrome (MS) on PSA level have not been clearly evaluated although obesity is closely tied to MS and IR. We regarded MS and IR as the pathophysiological cornerstone of metabolic disorder in obesity and analyzed the relationships among MS, IR, and PSA levels, and plasma volume by using the concept of PSA mass, the total circulating PSA protein. PSA mass did not change depending on the severity of the obesity, MS or IR. Even the group with both MS and IR, which could be the most metabolically disturbed in this study, did not have different PSA mass, comparing with the group without any MS or IR. Thus, the decline in PSA level in men with MS or IR can be also explained by increased plasma volume other than any intrinsic metabolic effects. OBJECTIVE: • To investigate the detailed mechanism of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline in metabolic syndrome (MS) and insulin resistance (IR), which lowers the predictive value of the PSA test, we examined the effect of haemodilution and the possibility of an intrinsic metabolic effect. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • We analysed 28,315 men who underwent routine check-ups. We compared the age-adjusted mean PSA levels in subjects with and without MS before and after adjusting or stratifying the plasma volume. We analysed changes in PSA level, plasma volume and PSA mass according to obesity grade, number of MS components, IR severity and diagnosis of MS, IR or both using an analysis of covariance. RESULTS: • The PSA levels were lower in the group with MS than in the group without MS (P= 0.001), but this difference disappeared after adjusting or stratifying the plasma volume (P > 0.05 for all). The PSA levels decreased, plasma volume increased, and PSA mass did not change as the number of MS components increased (P= 0.002, P < 0.001, P= 0.55, respectively) or the IR severity increased (P= 0.001, P < 0.001, P= 0.34, respectively). • Similarly, PSA levels were lower, plasma volumes were higher and PSA masses were the same in subjects with MS (P= 0.002, P < 0.001, P= 0.10, respectively), IR (P= 0.018, P < 0.001, P= 0.94, respectively), or both (P= 0.003, P < 0.001, P= 0.86, respectively) than in subjects without those conditions. CONCLUSION: • The PSA decline in MS and IR may result simply from a haemodilution effect and be unrelated to intrinsic metabolic disturbances. For this reason, PSA levels could be underestimated in patients with MS or IR because of haemodilution.

The relation of thyroid function to components of the metabolic syndrome in Korean men and women.

This study was to assess the relation of thyroid dysfunction to metabolic syndrome (MetS) at an earlier stage in Korean population. Metabolic parameters such as body composition, blood pressure (BP), fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine 4 (fT(4)) were measured. During a mean follow-up of 3 yr, 5,998 Koreans ages over 18 yr were assessed. There were 694 cases of MetS at follow-up. The mean age of the subjects was 45.6 ± 9.5 yr. Mean level of TSH was 2.02 ± 1.50 mIU/L, mean level of fT(4) was 1.23 ± 0.20 ρM/L. At baseline, TSH levels and fT(4) levels were associated to waist circumference, BP, glucose and lipids in the subjects. Increase in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol and TG were significantly associated with changes in TSH levels after adjustment. Changes in DBP, TG, HDL-C and fasting glucose were significantly associated with changes in fT(4) levels after adjustment. Increase in TSH levels even after further controlling for baseline TSH level predicted the MetS over the study period. In conclusion, there is a relationship between thyroid function and cardiovascular risk factors, such as BP, total cholesterol, TG, HDL-C and fasting glucose. Also, higher levels of TSH may predict the MetS in Korean.

Non-persistence with anti-platelet therapy and long-term mortality after ischemic stroke: A nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: We tried to investigate the effect of non-persistence with antiplatelets after ischemic stroke on long-term all-cause mortality (ACM). METHODS AND FINDINGS: We selected newly diagnosed ischemic stroke patients aged ≥20years who were newly treated with aspirin or clopidogrel from 2003-2010 Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort, a random sample of 2.2% of total population. Subjects were divided into two pairs of groups according to persistence with antiplatelets at 6 and 12 months: those who discontinued antiplatelets within 6 months (DA6M) and those who continued them for 6 or months or more (CA6M); and those who discontinued antiplatelets within 12 months (DA12M) and those who continued them for 12 months or more (CA12M). Those who died within 6 months among DA6M and those who died within 12 months among DA12M were excluded along with those with medication possession ratio<80% among CA6M and CA12M. Subjects were followed-up until death or December 31, 2013. Among 3,559 total subjects, DA6M were 1,080 and CA6M were 2,479 while, out of 3,628 total patients, DA12M were 1,434 and CA12M were 2,194. The risks of ACM [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 2.25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.94-2.61], cerebro-cardiovascular disease (CVD) death (aHR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.96-3.24) and non-CVD death (aHR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.76-2.64) of DA6M were all significantly increased compared to CA6M. DA12M also had significantly higher risks of ACM (aHR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.65-2.25), CVD mortality (aHR, 2.13; 95% CI; 1.63-2.77) and non-CVD mortality (aHR, 1.83;95% CI 1.51-2.22) than DA12M but aHRs were lower than that between DA6M and CA6M. The difference rates of ACM, CVD death, and non-CVD death between non-persistent and persistent groups all continuously widened over time but the degree of difference was gradually decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining antiplatelets for the first 12 months after ischemic stroke reduces long-term risks of both CVD death and non-CVD death.

Prostate specific antigen mass ratio potential as a prostate cancer screening tool.

PURPOSE: Studies suggest lowering the threshold of the prostate specific antigen test in obese men due to the hemodilution effect but prostate specific antigen may be affected by prostate volume and insulin resistance, which also increase with obesity. Thus, we examined the combined effect of these factors on prostate specific antigen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 3,461 Korean men 30 to 80 years old with prostate volume data available who underwent routine evaluation. We examined the effect of plasma volume, homeostatic model assessment index, prostate volume and body mass index on prostate specific antigen, and prostate specific antigen mass and mass ratio (total circulating prostate specific antigen protein per prostate volume) by the trend test and/or ANOVA after adjusting for age and/or prostate volume. RESULTS: Body mass index had positive associations with plasma volume, the homeostatic model assessment index and prostate volume (p for trend <0.01). Prostate specific antigen had a positive association with prostate volume and a negative association with plasma volume (p for trend <0.01) but not with homeostatic model assessment index. The adjusted R(2) of prostate volume vs prostate specific antigen was greater than for plasma volume vs prostate specific antigen while for body mass index vs prostate volume it was less than for body mass index vs plasma volume (0.0892, 0.0235, 0.1346 and 0.3360, respectively). Prostate specific antigen mass was not associated with plasma volume or body mass index but it was still associated with prostate volume after adjusting for plasma volume or body mass index (p for trend <0.01). Mean prostate specific antigen mass ratio did not change significantly across body mass index, plasma volume or prostate volume quartiles in men older than 55 years. CONCLUSIONS: It is not logical to lower the prostate specific antigen threshold based on only the hemodilution effect since body mass index related prostate volume enlargement can increase prostate specific antigen in obese men. Another tool is needed and prostate specific antigen mass ratio may be an option.

Adolescent overweight and obesity and the risk of papillary thyroid cancer in adulthood: a large-scale case-control study.

This study aimed to investigate the association between adolescent overweight and obesity and PTC risk in adulthood. We conducted a case-control study in the Republic of Korea with 1,549 PTC patients and 15,490 controls individually matched for age and sex. We estimated body mass index (BMI) at age 18 years from self-reported weight at this age. Compared with BMI < 23.0 at age 18 years, BMI ≥ 25.0 at age 18 years was associated with higher PTC risk (odds ratio [OR] = 4.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.57, 5.22). The association between BMI ≥ 25.0 at age 18 years and PTC risk was stronger among men (OR = 6.65, 95% CI: 4.78, 9.27) than among women (OR = 3.49, 95% CI: 2.74, 4.43), and stronger among individuals with current BMI ≥ 25.0 (OR = 8.21, 95% CI: 6.34, 10.62) than among those with current BMI < 25.0 (OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.49, 3.27). Among PTC patients, BMI ≥ 25.0 at age 18 years was associated with extra-thyroidal extension and T stage ≥2, but not with N stage ≥1 or BRAFV600E mutation. Adolescent overweight and obesity was associated with higher risk of PTC in adulthood. Our results emphasise the importance of weight management in adolescence to decrease the PTC risk.

Cynanchum wilfordii Etanolic Extract Controls Blood Cholesterol: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Trial.

We evaluated the effects of Cynanchum wilfordii (CW) ethanolic extract on blood cholesterol levels in adults with high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel trial, 84 subjects were recruited. Participants were randomly divided into two groups with a low-dose (300 mg/d) or high-dose (600 mg/d) of CW. Levels of very low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.022) and triglycerides (p = 0.022) were significantly lower in the low-dose CW group than in the placebo group after 8 weeks. In a subgroup of participants with LDL-C≥ 150 mg/dL (n = 33), there was a significant decrease in total cholesterol (low-dose, p = 0.012; high-dose, p = 0.021), apolipoprotein B (low-dose, p = 0.022; high-dose, p = 0.016), and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (low-dose, p = 0.037; high-dose, p = 0.016) after 8 weeks of CW. The correlation between changes in total cholesterol and baseline LDL-C levels was significant in the groups that received both doses of CW (low-dose, p = 0.010; high-dose, p = 0.015). These results show that the CW ethanolic extract can regulate blood cholesterol in subjects with LDL-C≥ 150 mg/dL.

Effects of combination drugs on antihypertensive medication adherence in a real-world setting: a Korean Nationwide Study.

OBJECTIVES: We tried to clarify, by using representative national data in a real-world setting, whether single-pill combinations (SPCs) of antihypertensives actually improve medication adherence. DESIGN: A nationwide population-based study. SETTING: We used a 2.2% cohort (n=1 048 061) of the total population (n=46 605 433) that was randomly extracted by National Health Insurance of Korea from 2008 to 2013. PARTICIPANTS: We included patients (n=116 677) who were prescribed with the same antihypertensive drugs for at least 1 year and divided them into groups of angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)-only, calcium channel blocker (CCB)-only, multiple-pill combinations (MPCs) and SPCs of ARB/CCB. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Medication possession ratio (MPR), a frequently used indirect measurement method of medication adherence. RESULTS: Adjusted MPR was higher in combination therapy (89.7% in SPC, 87.2% in MPC) than monotherapy (81.6% in ARB, 79.7% in CCB), and MPR of SPC (89.7%, 95% CI 89.3 to 90.0) was higher than MPR of MPC (87.2%, 95% CI 86.7 to 87.7) (p<0.05). In subgroup analysis, adherence of SPC and MPC was 92.3% (95% CI 91.5 to 93.0) vs 88.1% (95% CI 87.1 to 89.0) in those aged 65-74 years and 89.3% (95% CI 88.0 to 90.7) vs 84.8% (95% CI 83.3 to 92.0) in those ≥75 years (p<0.05). According to total pill numbers, adherence of SPC and MPC was 90.9% (CI 89.8 to 92.0) vs 85.3% (95% CI 84.1 to 86.5) in seven to eight pills and 91.2% (95% CI 89.3 to 93.1) vs 82.5% (95% CI 80.6 to 84.4) in nine or more (p<0.05). The adherence difference between SPC and MPC started to increase at five to six pills and at age 50-64 years (p<0.05). When analysed according to elderly status, the adherence difference started to increase at three to four pills in the elderly (≥65 years) and at five to six in the non-elderly group (20-64 years) (p<0.05). These differences all widened further with increasing age and the total medications. CONCLUSION: SPC regimens demonstrated higher adherence than MPC, and this tendency is more pronounced with increasing age and the total number of medications.

Impact of number of medications and age on adherence to antihypertensive medications: A nationwide population-based study.

This study tried to investigate the effects of number of medications and age on antihypertensive medication adherence in a real-world setting using a nationwide representative cohort.We obtained data from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) of Korea, which is a sample of 2.2% (N = 1,048,061) of total population (N = 46,605,433). Patients aged 20 years or older (N = 150,550) who took antihypertensive medications for at least 1 year were selected. Medication possession ratio (MPR) was used for measuring adherence. The subjects were divided into 5 subgroups according to total number of medications: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, and 9 or more. The mean age and the mean number of medications were 60.3 ±â€Š12.6 years and 4.1 ±â€Š2.2, respectively. The mean MPR was 80.4 ±â€Š23.9%, and 66.9% (N = 100,645) of total subjects were adherent (MPR ≥ 80%). The overall tendency of antihypertensive medication adherence according to the total number of medications displayed an inverted U-shape with a peak at 3-4 drugs. Adherence consistently increased as the age increased until age 69 and started to decrease from age 70. The proportion of adherent patients (MPR ≥ 80%) according to the total number of medications also showed an inverted U-shape with a peak at 3-4 drugs. When the same number of drugs was taken, the proportion of adherent patients according to age featured an inverted U- shape with a peak at 60 to 69 years. Patients taking 9 or more total drugs had the overall odds ratio (95% CI) of non-adherence (MPR < 80%) with 1.17 (1.11-1.24) compared with those taking 1 to 8 total drugs and the odds ratios in the age subgroups of 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69 years were 1.57 (1.31-1.87), 1.21 (1.08-1.36), and 1.14 (1.04-1.25), respectively (P < .05).Association between age, total number of medications, and antihypertensive adherence displayed an inverted U-shape with a peak at 3 to 4 total medications and at age 60 to 69 years. When the total number of drugs was 9 or more, adherence decreased prominently, regardless of age.