Association of regional white matter hyperintensities with hypertension and cognition in the population-based 1000BRAINS study.

BACKGROUND: White matter hyperintensities of presumed vascular origin (WMH) are frequent in cerebral magnetic resonance imaging of older people. They are promoted by vascular risk factors, especially hypertension, and are associated with cognitive deficits at the group level. It has been suggested that not only the severity, but also the location, of lesions might critically influence cognitive deficits and represent different pathologies. METHODS: In 560 participants (65.2 ± 7.5 years, 51.4% males) of the population-based 1000BRAINS study, we analyzed the association of regional WMH using Fazekas scoring separately for cerebral lobes, with hypertension and cognition. RESULTS: WMH most often affected the frontal lobe (83.7% score >0), followed by the parietal (75.8%), temporal (32.7%), and occipital lobe (7.3%). Higher Fazekas scores in the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobe were associated with higher blood pressure and antihypertensive treatment in unadjusted ordinal regression models and in models adjusted for age, sex, and vascular risk factors (e.g., age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio = 1.14, 95% confidence interval = 1.03-1.25 for the association of frontal lobe WMH Fazekas score with systolic blood pressure [SBP] [per 10 mm Hg]; 1.13 [1.02-1.23] for the association of parietal lobe score with SBP; 1.72 [1.19-2.48] for the association of temporal lobe score with antihypertensive medications). In linear regressions, higher frontal lobe scores were associated with lower performance in executive function and non-verbal memory, and higher parietal lobe scores were associated with lower performance in executive function, verbal-, and non-verbal memory. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension promotes WMH in the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobe. WMH in the frontal and parietal lobe are associated with reduced executive function and memory.

[Regional Differences in Thyroid Function Parameters: A Comparison of European Cohort Studies]. / Regionale Unterschiede von Schilddrüsenfunktionsparametern: ein Vergleich europäischer Kohortenstudien.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the project was to investigate regional differences in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and free thyroxine (fT4) concentrations and iodine status in comparable German and European cohort studies. METHODS: Sex- and age-stratified TSH, fT4, and urine iodine concentrations of thyroid-healthy participants (age group 45-75 years) of the HNR (Heinz Nixdorf Recall) Study in the Ruhr region of Germany, the southern German KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Augsburg Region) and northeastern German SHIP (Study of Health in Pomerania) studies, as well as the Norwegian HUNT (Nord-Trøndelag Health) study (age group 40-79 years), the English EPIC (European Prospective Investigation of Cancer)-Norfolk study, and the Dutch Rotterdam study were compared. The TSH reference range for the HNR study population was calculated and compared to the KORA and SHIP studies. RESULTS: Regional differences showed a stronger influence on TSH and fT4 concentrations than sex and age of the subjects in the 45- to 75-year age group. The estimated difference in medians, as measured by the HNR study, was lowest in the SHIP study, -0.47 (95% CI: -0.53; -0.41) for men and -0.41 (-0.53; -0.41) for women. The Rotterdam study had the highest difference in medians for both men and women (men: 0.56 with 0.44; 0.68 and women: 0.62 with 0.46; 0.78). The lowest median TSH concentrations, across all age categories considered, were seen in the German cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of thyroid function parameters and iodine in elderly subjects between six comparable cohort studies from Germany and Europe showed a significant influence of region, which exceeded the sex and age dependence of the parameters.

External validation of six clinical models for prediction of chronic kidney disease in a German population.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is responsible for large personal health and societal burdens. Screening populations at higher risk for CKD is effective to initiate earlier treatment and decelerate disease progress. We externally validated clinical prediction models for unknown CKD that might be used in population screening. METHODS: We validated six risk models for prediction of CKD using only non-invasive parameters. Validation data came from 4,185 participants of the German Heinz-Nixdorf-Recall study (HNR), drawn in 2000 from a general population aged 45-75 years. We estimated discrimination and calibration using the full model information, and calculated the diagnostic properties applying the published scoring algorithms of the models using various thresholds for the sum of scores. RESULTS: The risk models used four to nine parameters. Age and hypertension were included in all models. Five out of six c-values ranged from 0.71 to 0.73, indicating fair discrimination. Positive predictive values ranged from 15 to 19%, negative predictive values were > 93% using score thresholds that resulted in values for sensitivity and specificity above 60%. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the selected CKD prediction models show fair discrimination in a German general population. The estimated diagnostic properties indicate that the models are suitable for identifying persons at higher risk for unknown CKD without invasive procedures.

Effects of Life Events and Social Isolation on Stroke and Coronary Heart Disease.

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic represents a severe, life-changing event for people across the world. Life changes may involve job loss, income reduction due to furlough, death of a beloved one, or social stress due to life habit changes. Many people suffer from social isolation due to lockdown or physical distancing, especially those living alone and without family. This article reviews the association of life events and social isolation with cardiovascular disease, assembling the current state of knowledge for stroke and coronary heart disease. Possible mechanisms underlying the links between life events, social isolation, and cardiovascular disease are outlined. Furthermore, groups with increased vulnerability for cardiovascular disease following life events and social isolation are identified, and clinical implications of results are presented.

Associations between haemoglobin A1c and mortality rate in the KORA S4 and the Heinz Nixdorf Recall population-based cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: There is limited knowledge about mortality risk in persons with increased haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c ) levels below the diabetes threshold. Moreover, little is known about how associations between increased HbA1c and mortality depend on the length of follow-up. Therefore, we studied associations between HbA1c and mortality over long-term follow-up in persons with and without known diabetes. METHODS: We used data from two German population-based cohort studies: KORA S4 Study (Southern Germany, n = 1458, baseline visits in 1999 to 2001, baseline age 55 to 74 years, mortality follow-up 16.8 years) and Heinz Nixdorf Recall (HNR) Study (Ruhr area, n = 4613, baseline visits in 2000 to 2003, baseline age 45 to 75 years, mortality follow-up 17.8 years). Adjusted log-linear models were fitted to estimate relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: In both cohorts, participants with HbA1c 39 to 41 mmol/mol (5.7%-5.9%) and HbA1c 42 to 46 mmol/mol (6.0% to 6.4%) did not have a larger overall mortality risk than participants with HbA1c < 39 mmol/mol (5.7%): the corresponding adjusted RRs were 1.00 (95% CI: 0.83-1.21) and 1.01 (0.80-1.27) in KORA and 0.99 (0.82-1.21) and 0.83 (0.65-1.07) in the HNR Study. For the pooled cohorts, the RR for HbA1c 39 to 46 mmol/mol (5.7%-6.4%) was 0.96 (0.85-1.07). Associations between newly detected diabetes (HbA1c ≥ 6.5%) and mortality were weak after 4 and 8 years of follow-up, but were stronger after 12 years of follow-up, whereas associations between previously known diabetes (baseline) and mortality decreased. CONCLUSIONS: HbA1c -defined pre-diabetes is not associated with overall mortality. For newly detected and previously known diabetes, mortality risks vary with length of follow-up.

Vitamin D and white matter hyperintensities: results of the population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study and 1000BRAINS.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cross-sectional studies showed an inverse association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) whereas the few longitudinal studies did not. The association between baseline 25OHD and WMHs at 10-year follow-up in the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study plus 1000BRAINS was investigated. METHODS: Data of 505 participants (49% women, 56.2 ± 6.6 years) with 25OHD at baseline (2000-2003) and WMH volume and grade of WMHs using the Fazekas classification at 10-year follow-up were analysed. The association between deseasonalized 25OHD and the base-10 logarithm of WMH volume was evaluated by multiple linear regression, adjusted for age, sex, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, sports, diabetes mellitus, systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol. ß-estimators were transformed back (10ß ). Using multiple logistic regression, odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated to evaluate the association between deseasonalized 25OHD and Fazekas grades (0, absence and 1, punctate foci vs. 2, beginning and 3, large confluence). RESULTS: Mean 25OHD was 17.0 ± 8.2 ng/ml, and mean deseasonalized 25OHD was 16.9 ± 7.5 ng/ml. Mean WMH volume was 16.6 ± 17.4 ml, range 1-132 ml. Most grade 2-3 WMHs were found to be periventricular (39% of the participants), parietal (32%) and frontal (31%) (temporal 6%, occipital 3%). The linear regression showed an inverse association between 25OHD and WMH volume. On average, a 25OHD increase of 1 ng/ml was associated with a reduced WMH volume by a factor of 0.99 (95% CI 0.98; 1.00) (fully adjusted). There was also some indication for an inverse association between 25OHD and extent of periventricular (OR 0.98 [95% CI 0.96; 1.01]), frontal (0.99 [0.97; 1.02]) and parietal (0.98 [0.95; 1.00]) WMHs according to the Fazekas classification. CONCLUSIONS: Lower 25OHD may be a risk factor for the occurrence of WMHs.

[Cardiac amyloidosis and aortic valve stenosis]. / Kardiale Amyloidose und Aortenklappenstenose.

Aortic valve stenosis in old age has become a topic of interest for cardiology and cardiac surgery after the development of transvascular and transluminal minimally invasive techniques for aortic valve implantation. The observation of amyloid deposits in surgically excised valvular material led to the diagnostics of amyloidosis of the myocardium, which was discovered in up to 20% of the patients who underwent valve implantation. Clinical signs of cardiac amyloidosis, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and ruptured distal biceps tendon should be taken into account. In addition to the electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram and magnetic resonance imaging, 99mtechnetium bone scintigraphy plays a key diagnostic role. The simultaneous occurrence of severe aortic valve stenosis and amyloidosis explains the special hemodynamic situation of a low gradient with low blood flow in high-grade valve stenosis. The interventional or surgical valve implantation improves the prognosis for these patients, similarly to aortic valve stenosis alone, followed by a specific pharmaceutical treatment depending on the type of amyloidosis.

Prediction of individualized lifetime benefit from cholesterol lowering, blood pressure lowering, antithrombotic therapy, and smoking cessation in apparently healthy people.

AIMS: The benefit an individual can expect from preventive therapy varies based on risk-factor burden, competing risks, and treatment duration. We developed and validated the LIFEtime-perspective CardioVascular Disease (LIFE-CVD) model for the estimation of individual-level 10 years and lifetime treatment-effects of cholesterol lowering, blood pressure lowering, antithrombotic therapy, and smoking cessation in apparently healthy people. METHODS AND RESULTS: Model development was conducted in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (n = 6715) using clinical predictors. The model consists of two complementary Fine and Gray competing-risk adjusted left-truncated subdistribution hazard functions: one for hard cardiovascular disease (CVD)-events, and one for non-CVD mortality. Therapy-effects were estimated by combining the functions with hazard ratios from preventive therapy trials. External validation was performed in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (n = 9250), Heinz Nixdorf Recall (n = 4177), and the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Netherlands (n = 25 833), and Norfolk (n = 23 548) studies. Calibration of the LIFE-CVD model was good and c-statistics were 0.67-0.76. The output enables the comparison of short-term vs. long-term therapy-benefit. In two people aged 45 and 70 with otherwise identical risk-factors, the older patient has a greater 10-year absolute risk reduction (11.3% vs. 1.0%) but a smaller gain in life-years free of CVD (3.4 vs. 4.5 years) from the same therapy. The model was developed into an interactive online calculator available via www.U-Prevent.com. CONCLUSION: The model can accurately estimate individual-level prognosis and treatment-effects in terms of improved 10-year risk, lifetime risk, and life-expectancy free of CVD. The model is easily accessible and can be used to facilitate personalized-medicine and doctor-patient communication.

Risk prediction for coronary heart disease by a genetic risk score - results from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall study.

BACKGROUND: A Genetic risk score for coronary artery disease (CAD) improves the ability of predicting coronary heart disease (CHD). It is unclear whether i) the use of a CAD genetic risk score is superior to the measurement of coronary artery calcification (CAC) for CHD risk assessment and ii) the CHD risk assessment using a CAD genetic risk score differs between men and women. METHODS: We included 4041 participants (age-range: 45-76 years, 1919 men) of the Heinz Nixdorf Recall study without CHD or stroke at baseline. A standardized weighted CAD genetic risk score was constructed using 70 known genetic variants. The risk score was divided into quintiles (Q1-Q5). We specified low (Q1), intermediate (Q2-Q4) and high (Q5) genetic risk groups. Incident CHD was defined as fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke and coronary death. The association between the genetic risk score and genetic risk groups with incident CHD was assessed using Cox models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95%-confidence intervals (CI). The models were adjusted by age and sex (Model1), as well as by established CHD risk factors (RF) and CAC (Model2). The analyses were further stratified by sex and controlled for multiple testing. RESULTS: During a median follow-up time of 11.6 ± 3.7 years, 343 participants experienced CHD events (219 men). Per-standard deviation (SD) increase in the genetic risk score was associated with 18% increased risk for incident CHD (Model1: p = 0.002) which did not change after full adjustment (Model2: HR = 1.18 per-SD (p = 0.003)). In Model2 we observed a 60% increased CHD risk in the high (p = 0.009) compared to the low genetic risk group. Stratifying by sex, only men showed statistically significantly higher risk for CHD (Model2: HR = 1.23 per-SD (p = 0.004); intermediate: HR = 1.52 (p = 0.04) and high: HR = 1.88 (p = 0.008)) with no statistically significant risk observed in women. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the CAD genetic risk score could be useful for CHD risk prediction, at least in men belonging to the higher genetic risk group, but it does not outbalance the value of CT-based quantification of CAC which works independently on both men and women and allows better risk stratification in both the genders.

Association between lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels and Lp(a) genetic variants with coronary artery calcification.

BACKGROUND: To examine the association between lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels, LPA (rs10455872 and rs3798220) and IL1F9 (rs13415097) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with coronary artery calcification (CAC), an important predictor for coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: We used data from 3799 (mean age ± SD: 59.0 ± 7.7 years, 47.1% men) Heinz Nixdorf Recall study participants. We applied linear regression models to explore the relation between the log-transformed Lp(a) levels and LPA and IL1F9 SNPs with loge (CAC + 1). The association between the SNPs and log-transformed Lp(a) levels was further assessed using linear regression. The models were adjusted for age and sex (Model 1) and additionally for Lp(a) levels (Model 2). RESULTS: We observed a statistically significant association between log-transformed Lp(a) levels and CAC (Model 1: beta per log-unit increase in Lp(a) levels = 0.11; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] [0.04; 0.18], p = 0.002). Furthermore, the LPA SNP rs10455872 showed a statistically significant association with CAC (Model 1: beta per allele = 0.37 [0.14; 0.61], p = 0.002). The association between rs10455872 and CAC was attenuated after adjustment for Lp(a) levels (Model 2: beta per allele = 0.26 [- 0.01; 0.53], p = 0.06). Both LPA SNPs also showed a statistically significant association with Lp(a) levels (Model 1: betars10455872 per allele: 1.56 [1.46; 1.65], p < 0.0001 and betars3798220 per allele: 1.51 [1.33; 1.69], p < 0.0001)). The Mendelian randomization analysis showed that Lp(a) is a causal risk factor for CAC (estimate per log-unit increase in Lp(a) levels (95% CI), p: 0.27 [0.11; 0.44], p = 0.001). The IL1F9 SNP did not show any statistically significant association with Lp(a) levels or with CAC. CONCLUSIONS: We provide evidence for the association of LPA rs10455872 with higher levels of Lp(a) and CAC in our study. The results of our study suggest that rs10455872, mediated by Lp(a) levels, might play a role in promoting the development of atherosclerosis leading to cardiovascular disease events.

[Aortic stenosis-which diagnostic algorithms and which treatment?] / Aortenstenose ­ welche diagnostischen Algorithmen und welche Therapie?

The progress in cardiology during the last 50 years can best be studied by looking at the diagnostics and treatment of patients with aortic valve stenosis. Previously, the clinical examination, electrocardiography (ECG) and chest X­ray were used before heart catheterization, which included a transseptal puncture to complete the indications for surgery in young patients. Nowadays, echocardiography, often combined with a dobutamine stress test, is the primary diagnostic tool to which computed tomography for quantification of valve calcification and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging can be of additive value. The treatment of severe aortic valve stenosis is no longer only treated by aortic valve replacement but transluminal aortic valve implantation also represents a new therapeutic option. The change in the age groups of treated patients is also noteworthy. Surgery is recommended for patients under 75 years old but for older patients, especially those with a high risk, interventional catheter-assisted treatment is preferred.

Value of Progression of Coronary Artery Calcification for Risk Prediction of Coronary and Cardiovascular Events: Result of the HNR Study (Heinz Nixdorf Recall).

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) allows estimation of coronary artery calcium (CAC) progression. We evaluated several progression algorithms in our unselected, population-based cohort for risk prediction of coronary and cardiovascular events. METHODS: In 3281 participants (45-74 years of age), free from cardiovascular disease until the second visit, risk factors, and CTs at baseline (b) and after a mean of 5.1 years (5y) were measured. Hard coronary and cardiovascular events, and total cardiovascular events including revascularization, as well, were recorded during a follow-up time of 7.8±2.2 years after the second CT. The added predictive value of 10 CAC progression algorithms on top of risk factors including baseline CAC was evaluated by using survival analysis, C-statistics, net reclassification improvement, and integrated discrimination index. A subgroup analysis of risk in CAC categories was performed. RESULTS: We observed 85 (2.6%) hard coronary, 161 (4.9%) hard cardiovascular, and 241 (7.3%) total cardiovascular events. Absolute CAC progression was higher with versus without subsequent coronary events (median, 115 [Q1-Q3, 23-360] versus 8 [0-83], P<0.0001; similar for hard/total cardiovascular events). Some progression algorithms added to the predictive value of baseline CT and risk assessment in terms of C-statistic or integrated discrimination index, especially for total cardiovascular events. However, CAC progression did not improve models including CAC5y and 5-year risk factors. An excellent prognosis was found for 921 participants with double-zero CACb=CAC5y=0 (10-year coronary and hard/total cardiovascular risk: 1.4%, 2.0%, and 2.8%), which was for participants with incident CAC 1.8%, 3.8%, and 6.6%, respectively. When CACb progressed from 1 to 399 to CAC5y≥400, coronary and total cardiovascular risk were nearly 2-fold in comparison with subjects who remained below CAC5y=400. Participants with CACb≥400 had high rates of hard coronary and hard/total cardiovascular events (10-year risk: 12.0%, 13.5%, and 30.9%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: CAC progression is associated with coronary and cardiovascular event rates, but adds only weakly to risk prediction. What counts is the most recent CAC value and risk factor assessment. Therefore, a repeat scan >5 years after the first scan may be of additional value, except when a double-zero CT scan is present or when the subjects are already at high risk.

Noninvasive diagnosis of urothelial cancer in urine using DNA hypermethylation signatures-Gender matters.

Urothelial cancer (UCa) is the most predominant cancer of the urinary tract and noninvasive diagnosis using hypermethylation signatures in urinary cells is promising. Here, we assess gender differences in a newly identified set of methylation biomarkers. UCa-associated hypermethylated sites were identified in urine of a male screening cohort (n = 24) applying Infinium-450K-methylation arrays and verified in two separate mixed-gender study groups (n = 617 in total) using mass spectrometry as an independent technique. Additionally, tissue samples (n = 56) of mixed-gender UCa and urological controls (UCt) were analyzed. The hypermethylation signature of UCa in urine was specific and sensitive across all stages and grades of UCa and independent on hematuria. Individual CpG sensitivities reached up to 81.3% at 95% specificity. Albeit similar methylation differences in tissue of both genders, differences were less pronounced in urine from women, most likely due to the frequent presence of squamous epithelial cells and leukocytes. Increased repression of methylation levels was observed at leukocyte counts ≥500/µl urine which was apparent in 30% of female and 7% of male UCa cases, further confirming the significance of the relative amounts of cancerous and noncancerous cells in urine. Our study shows that gender difference is a most relevant issue when evaluating the performance of urinary biomarkers in cancer diagnostics. In case of UCa, the clinical benefits of methylation signatures to male patients may outweigh those in females due to the general composition of women's urine. Accordingly, these markers offer a diagnostic option specifically in males to decrease the number of invasive cystoscopies.

Socioeconomic Position is Positively Associated with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance in a Population-based Cohort Study.

Knowledge of social inequalities in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) will contribute to understanding multiple myeloma (MM) etiology, as MGUS consistently precedes MM. The aim of the present study was to examine whether socioeconomic position (SEP) is associated with MGUS in a population-based cohort including information on potential MGUS risk factors. Overall, 4787 study participants aged 45-75 years with information on MGUS were included. SEP indicators (education, income) and potential risk factors (i.e., body mass index, diabetes, smoking, dietary factors) were assessed at baseline. Overall, 260 MGUS cases were detected at baseline and prospectively over a 10-year follow-up. In age-adjusted logistic regression models, a lower chance of having MGUS at baseline or developing MGUS during 10 years of follow-up was indicated for groups of low SEP with odds ratios (OR) of 0.39 (95% confidence interval [95%-CI] 0.19-0.76) for women and 0.48 (95% CI 0.10-1.16) for men in the lowest compared to the highest educational group. After additionally including potential mediating risk factors in the regression models, the estimated ORs changed only slightly in magnitude. Similar results were obtained for income. Current smoking and low fruit consumption were associated with MGUS independently of SEP in women, but not in men. The present study indicates a lower MGUS risk in lower SEP groups. Supporting evidence is given that smoking and diet play a role in the development of MGUS independently of SEP, while it has to be assumed that risk factors unknown to date are responsible for the observed social inequalities in MGUS.

Urban road traffic noise and noise annoyance-a study on perceived noise control and its value among the elderly.

Noise annoyance may reflect a pro-participatory attitude towards public information and consultation according to the European Environmental Noise Directive. However, noise annoyance is also indicative of a stress response to perceived uncontrollable noise exposure. Using cross-sectional data on a sample of elderly citizens (n = 1772), we investigated whether the value residents ascribed to being able to control noise exposure at home moderated the potential indirect effect of road traffic noise on annoyance through perceived noise control. Our results confirmed the presence of such a moderated mediation, which may justify studying the impact of residents' valuing perceived noise control on participation readiness.

Gendered work-family trajectories and depression at older age.

Objectives: The paper identifies types of work-family trajectories of men and women and investigates their links with depression at older age. Method: We use data from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall study, with retrospective information on employment histories and parenthood between age 20 and 50 (1482 men and 1537 women, born between 1925 and 1955). We apply sequence analysis and group trajectories into six clusters for each gender. We test their association with two alternative measures of depression: self-reported depressive symptoms and intake of antidepressant medication. Multivariate models exclude participants with early life depression and adjust for age, marital status, education, and income. Results: We find clear differences of work-family trajectories between men and women, where women's trajectories are generally more diverse, and include family leaves and returns into full or part-time work. For men, work-family trajectories are neither related to depressive symptoms nor to medication intake. In contrast, women who returned into full-time work after family leave show more depression than those who return part-time, both in terms of depressive symptoms and intake of antidepressant medication. Conclusion: Our findings show gender differences in terms of work-family trajectories and their health-related consequences. In particular, findings suggest that mothers who return to full-time work are a vulnerable group for depression at older age and should be the focus of further research attention.

Clinical Features and Outcomes of Takotsubo (Stress) Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: The natural history, management, and outcome of takotsubo (stress) cardiomyopathy are incompletely understood. METHODS: The International Takotsubo Registry, a consortium of 26 centers in Europe and the United States, was established to investigate clinical features, prognostic predictors, and outcome of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Patients were compared with age- and sex-matched patients who had an acute coronary syndrome. RESULTS: Of 1750 patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy, 89.8% were women (mean age, 66.8 years). Emotional triggers were not as common as physical triggers (27.7% vs. 36.0%), and 28.5% of patients had no evident trigger. Among patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy, as compared with an acute coronary syndrome, rates of neurologic or psychiatric disorders were higher (55.8% vs. 25.7%) and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was markedly lower (40.7±11.2% vs. 51.5±12.3%) (P<0.001 for both comparisons). Rates of severe in-hospital complications including shock and death were similar in the two groups (P=0.93). Physical triggers, acute neurologic or psychiatric diseases, high troponin levels, and a low ejection fraction on admission were independent predictors for in-hospital complications. During long-term follow-up, the rate of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events was 9.9% per patient-year, and the rate of death was 5.6% per patient-year. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy had a higher prevalence of neurologic or psychiatric disorders than did those with an acute coronary syndrome. This condition represents an acute heart failure syndrome with substantial morbidity and mortality. (Funded by the Mach-Gaensslen Foundation and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01947621.).

Comparison of coronary artery calcification, carotid intima-media thickness and ankle-brachial index for predicting 10-year incident cardiovascular events in the general population.

AIMS: To compare the predictive value of coronary artery calcification (CAC), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) in a primary prevention cohort depending on risk factor profile to determine which of the three markers improves cardiovascular (CV) risk discrimination best in which risk group. METHODS AND RESULTS: We quantified CAC, CIMT, and ABI in 3108 subjects (mean age 59.2 ± 7.7, 47.1% male) without prevalent CV diseases from the population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall study. Associations with incident major CV events (coronary event, stroke, CV death; n = 223) were assessed during a follow-up period of 10.3 ± 2.8 years with Cox proportional regressions in the total cohort and stratified by Framingham risk score (FRS) groups. Discrimination ability was evaluated with Harrell's C. All three markers were associated with CV events (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval (CI)]: CAC: 1.31 (1.23-1.39) per 1-unit increase in log(CAC + 1) vs. CIMT: 1.27 (1.13-1.43) per 1 SD vs. ABI: 1.30 (1.14-1.49) per 1 SD, in FRS adjusted models). Considering reclassification, CAC lead to highest reclassification in the total cohort, while also for CIMT and ABI significant improvement in net-reclassification was observed [NRI (95% CI): CAC: 0.55 (0.42-0.69); CIMT: 0.32 (0.19-0.45); ABI: 0.19 (0.10-0.28)]. CONCLUSION: Coronary artery calcification provides the best discrimination of risk compared with CIMT and ABI, particularly in the intermediate risk group, whereas CIMT may be an alternative measure for reassurance in the low risk group.

Effort-Reward Imbalance at Work and Incident Coronary Heart Disease: A Multicohort Study of 90,164 Individuals.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic evidence for work stress as a risk factor for coronary heart disease is mostly based on a single measure of stressful work known as job strain, a combination of high demands and low job control. We examined whether a complementary stress measure that assesses an imbalance between efforts spent at work and rewards received predicted coronary heart disease. METHODS: This multicohort study (the "IPD-Work" consortium) was based on harmonized individual-level data from 11 European prospective cohort studies. Stressful work in 90,164 men and women without coronary heart disease at baseline was assessed by validated effort-reward imbalance and job strain questionnaires. We defined incident coronary heart disease as the first nonfatal myocardial infarction or coronary death. Study-specific estimates were pooled by random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: At baseline, 31.7% of study members reported effort-reward imbalance at work and 15.9% reported job strain. During a mean follow-up of 9.8 years, 1,078 coronary events were recorded. After adjustment for potential confounders, a hazard ratio of 1.16 (95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.35) was observed for effort-reward imbalance compared with no imbalance. The hazard ratio was 1.16 (1.01-1.34) for having either effort-reward imbalance or job strain and 1.41 (1.12-1.76) for having both these stressors compared to having neither effort-reward imbalance nor job strain. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with effort-reward imbalance at work have an increased risk of coronary heart disease, and this appears to be independent of job strain experienced. These findings support expanding focus beyond just job strain in future research on work stress.

Prolongation of the QTc interval in HIV-infected individuals compared to the general population.

OBJECTIVES: Prolonged QT interval is associated with arrhythmias and sudden death. An increased prevalence of QT interval prolongation in human immunodeficiency virus-infected (HIV) subjects was previously described. The impact of different medications and HIV infection itself on the QT interval is rarely investigated in large HIV+ cohorts. METHODS: We compared QT interval measurement in 496 HIV(+) patients of the HIV-HEART study (HIVH) and 992 sex- and age-matched controls of the population-based German Heinz Nixdorf Recall study (HNR). QT corrected for heart rate (QTc) >440 ms in male and >460 ms in female was considered pathological. We analysed the impact of HIV status and HIV medication on QTc prolongation in the HIVH subjects. RESULTS: We observed longer QTc in HIVH subjects compared with HNR controls: 424.1 ms ± 23.3 vs. 411.3 ± 15.3 ms for male and 435.5 ms ± 19.6 vs. 416.4 ms ± 17.3 for female subjects (p < 0.0001 for both sexes). Adjusting for QT prolonging medication the mean differences in QTc between the two studies remained significant with 12.6 ms (95% CI 10.5-14.8; p value <0.0001) for male and 19.3 ms (95% CI 14.5-24.2; p value <0.0001) for female subjects. Prolongation of QTc was pathologic in 22.8 vs. 3.9% of HIV(+) and non-infected males and in 12.1 vs. 1.8% of the females [OR of 7.9 (5.0-12.6) and OR of 6.7 (1.8-24.2), respectively]. Smoking behaviour was an independent factor to lengthen QTc in HIV(+) patients. Diabetes mellitus was not a risk factor itself, but might be associated with medication which was associated with LQT. We could not observe any influence of the HIV status, ART, or any co-medication on the QTc. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that HIV(+) patients had significantly longer QTc intervals compared to the general population. The number of patients with pathologic QTc prolongation was significantly increased in HIV(+) population.