Antimicrobial Prophylaxis With Ampicillin-sulbactam Compared With Cefazolin for Esophagectomy: Nationwide Inpatient Database Study in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of antimicrobial prophylaxis with ampicillin-sulbactam (ABPC/SBT) compared with cefazolin (CEZ) on the short-term outcomes after esophagectomy. BACKGROUND: CEZ is widely used for antimicrobial prophylaxis in esophagectomy without procedure-specific evidence, whereas ABPC/SBT is preferred in some hospitals to target both aerobic and anaerobic oral bacteria. METHODS: Data of patients who underwent esophagectomy for cancer between July 2010 and March 2019 were extracted from a nationwide Japanese inpatient database. Overlap propensity score weighting was conducted to compare the short-term outcomes [including surgical site infection (SSI), anastomotic leakage, and respiratory failure] between antimicrobial prophylaxis with CEZ and ABPC/SBT after adjusting for potential confounders. Sensitivity analyses were also performed using propensity score matching and instrumental variable analyses. RESULTS: Among 17,772 eligible patients, 16,077 (90.5%) and 1695 (9.5%) patients were administered CEZ and ABPC/SBT, respectively. SSI, anastomotic leakage, and respiratory failure occurred in 2971 (16.7%), 2604 (14.7%), and 2754 patients (15.5%), respectively. After overlap weighting, ABPC/SBT was significantly associated with a reduction in SSI [odds ratio 0.51 (95% CI: 0.43-0.60)], anastomotic leakage [0.51 (0.43-0.61)], and respiratory failure [0.66 (0.57-0.77)]. ABPC/SBT was also associated with reduced respiratory complications, postoperative length of stay, and total hospitalization costs. The proportion of Clostridioides difficile colitis and noninfectious complications did not differ between the groups. Propensity score matching and instrumental variable analyses demonstrated equivalent results. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of ABPC/SBT as antimicrobial prophylaxis for esophagectomy was associated with better short-term postoperative outcomes compared with CEZ.

Chronic Tonsillitis and IgA Nephropathy: Findings From a Nationwide Japanese Cohort Study.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Little is known regarding the association between chronic tonsillitis and the onset of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). In the present study, we examined the potential relationship between chronic tonsillitis and a subsequent risk of developing IgAN. STUDY DESIGN: Observational cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 4,311,393 individuals without a history of IgAN identified between January 2005 and May 2022 within a Japanese nationwide epidemiological database, the JMDC Claims Database, representing health claims to over 60 insurers. EXPOSURE: Comorbid chronic tonsillitis based on diagnosis codes. OUTCOME: IgAN occurrence. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Cause-specific Cox proportional hazards analysis adjusting for potential confounding factors was employed to estimate hazard ratios (HRs). RESULTS: Comorbid chronic tonsillitis was identified in 12,842 individuals, constituting 0.3% of the cohort. The cohort had a median age of 44 years (IQR, 36-53), and males accounted for 57.9%, with a follow-up of 1,089 days (IQR, 532-1,797), during which 2,653 cases of IgAN developed. Cumulative incidence curve showed a higher cumulative incidence of IgAN in individuals with chronic tonsillitis compared with their counterparts without this condition. Multivariable cause-specific analysis further demonstrated that individuals with chronic tonsillitis had an elevated risk of developing IgAN, with HR of 2.72 (95% CI, 1.79-4.14). LIMITATIONS: Potential residual confounders, and lack of consideration for ethnic distinctions. CONCLUSIONS: Using a large-scale epidemiological dataset, these findings suggest a relationship between chronic tonsillitis and an elevated risk of IgAN development in the general Japanese population. PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY: IgA nephropathy (IgAN), the most prevalent form of primary glomerulonephritis worldwide, is associated with unfavorable long-term kidney survival and life expectancy. Despite the substantial implications, the early detection of IgAN still remains challenging due to its commonly asymptomatic clinical presentation. Consequently, the exploration of risk factors assumes a critical research priority. Prior studies have reported the potential role of tonsilitis in the pathogenesis of IgAN. In this study, we assessed whether chronic tonsillitis was associated with the subsequent development of IgAN using a nationwide epidemiological dataset incorporating over 4,000,000 individuals. Within this large-scale cohort, our findings revealed an association between a history of tonsillitis and a greater risk of developing IgAN. These findings should heighten awareness of the potential susceptibility of people with chronic tonsilitis to IgAN.

Familial hypercholesterolemia is related to cardiovascular disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Results from a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, the prevalence of FH among a general population remains unknown, and it is unclear if FH is associated with other cardiovascular complications, including heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Analyses were conducted on individuals without a prior history of cardiovascular disease using a nationwide health claims database collected in the JMDC Claims Database between 2005 and 2022 (n = 4,126,642; median age, 44 years; 57.5% men). We defined FH as either LDL cholesterol ≥250 mg/dL or LDL cholesterol ≥175 mg/dL under the lipid-lowering medications under the assumption that lipid-lowering medications reduced LDL cholesterol by 30%. We assessed the associations between FH and composite outcomes, including, ASCVD (myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and stroke), HF, and AF using Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: We identified 11,983 (.29%) FH patients. In total, 181,150 events were recorded during the mean follow-up period of 3.5 years. The status FH was significantly associated with composite outcomes after adjustments (hazard ratio [HR]; 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.30-1.47, p < .001). Interestingly, the status FH was significantly associated with HF (HR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.36-1.61, p < .001) and AF (HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.08-1.64, p < .001) in addition to angina pectoris (HR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.33-1.58, p < .001) and stroke (HR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.04-1.36, p < .001). CONCLUSION: We found that the prevalence of FH was .29% in a general population. FH was significantly associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, HF and AF. LAY SUMMARY: We sought to identify the prevalence of FH among a general population, and to clarify whether FH increases the risk of not only ASCVD but also HF and AF.

Association of Cancer and Its Interaction with Conventional Risk Factors on Cardiovascular Disease Risk.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to examine the association of cancer history with the incidence of individual cardiovascular disease events and to clarify whether the history of cancer modifies the relationship between conventional cardiovascular risk factors and incident cardiovascular disease. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used the JMDC Claims Database, including 3,531,683 individuals. The primary endpoint was the composite cardiovascular disease outcome, which included myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. RESULTS: During a follow-up, 144,162 composite endpoints were recorded. Individuals with a history of cancer had a higher risk of developing composite cardiovascular disease events (hazard ratio [HR] 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22-1.29). The HRs for myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation were 1.11 (95% CI 0.98-1.27), 1.15 (95% CI 1.10-1.20), 1.11 (95% CI 1.05-1.18), 1.39 (95% CI 1.34-1.44), and 1.22 (95% CI 1.13-1.32), respectively. Individuals who required chemotherapy for cancer had a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Although conventional risk factors (e.g., overweight/obesity, hypertension, and diabetes) were associated with incident composite cardiovascular disease even in individuals with a history of cancer, the total population-attributable fractions of conventional risk factors were less in individuals with a history of cancer. CONCLUSION: Individuals with a history of cancer (particularly those requiring chemotherapy) have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Traditional risk factors are important in the development of cardiovascular disease in individuals with and without a history of cancer. In individuals with a history of cancer, however, the total population-attributable fractions of conventional risk factors decreased.

Kidney outcomes with SGLT2 inhibitor vs. DPP4 inhibitor use in older adults with diabetes.

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: While the kidney protective effects of sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have attracted much attention, there are limited real-world clinical data examining the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on kidney function in older individuals. We aimed to compare the kidney outcomes between SGLT2 inhibitor and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitor use in older adults with diabetes. METHODS: Using a nationwide claims database, we studied 6 354 older adults (≥ 60 years of age) who had diabetes and newly initiated on SGLT2 inhibitors or DPP4 inhibitors. A 1:4 propensity score matching algorithm was used to compare changes in eGFR between SGLT2 inhibitor and DPP4 inhibitor users. The primary outcome was a decline in the rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which was obtained using a linear mixed-effects model with an unstructured covariance. RESULTS: Following propensity score matching, 6 354 individuals including 1 271 SGLT2 inhibitor users and 5 083 DPP4 inhibitor users (median age: 68 [65-70] years); men, 60.4%; median eGFR:69.0 [59.1-79.0] ml/min/1.73 m2, median hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]:6.9 [6.5-7.4]%) were analyzed. SGLT2 inhibitor users had a slower eGFR decline than did DPP4 inhibitor users (-0.97 [95% CI, -1.24 to -0.70] ml/min/1.73m2 vs. -1.83 [95% CI, -1.97 to -1.69] ml/min/1.73m2 per year; p for interaction < 0.001). This finding remained consistent across subgroups based on age, sex, body mass index, HbA1c level, renin-angiotensin system inhibitor use, and baseline eGFR. Additionally, the risk of a ≥ 20%, ≥ 30%, and ≥ 40% decrease in eGFR from baseline was significantly lower in SGLT2 inhibitor users than that in DPP4 inhibitor users. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis, utilizing a nationwide epidemiological dataset, demonstrated that the decline in eGFR was slower in individuals aged ≥ 60 years with diabetes who were prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors compared to those prescribed DPP4 inhibitors, suggesting a potential advantage of SGLT2 inhibitors for kidney outcomes even in older individuals with diabetes.

Significance of eGFR and proteinuria for cardiovascular disease in individuals beyond 85 years.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on how advancing age influences prediction of CVD risk based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria, especially in older adults, including those aged ≥ 85 years. This study aimed to clarify the association of eGFR and proteinuria with CVD outcomes and the impact of age on this association. METHODS: The distribution of eGFR and urine protein in Japan was assessed retrospectively using real-world administrative claims and health checkup data collected between April 2014 and November 2022. We investigated the associations of these two parameters with the incidence of CVD, with an emphasis on the impact of aging. RESULTS: We assessed 1 829 020 individuals for distribution of eGFR and proteinuria; after excluding those with known CVD, their association with CVD risk was examined in 1 040 101 individuals aged ≥ 40 years. The prevalence of impaired kidney function (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) increased with age, being 0.7%, 9.2%, 21.9%, 40.2%, and 60.2% at the ages of 18-39, 40-64, 65-74, 75-84, and ≥ 85 years (P for trend < 0.001); similarly, the proportion with positive proteinuria increased with age, being 2.7%, 4.3%, 5.6%, 9.2%, and 15.8%, respectively (P for trend < 0.001). Both eGFR and urine protein were identified to be independent risk factors for CVD. Hazard ratios for CVD increased significantly when eGFR was <45 mL/min/1.73 m2 at the ages of 40-64, 65-74, and 75-84 and <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 at ≥ 85 years, while proteinuria remained significantly associated with a high CVD risk regardless of age. These findings were consistent even when analyzed separately by sex. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified eGFR and urine dipstick proteinuria to be independent risk factors for CVD, even among individuals aged ≥ 85 years. However, the contribution of eGFR to the CVD risk was attenuated by aging, whereas proteinuria remained less affected by advancing age.

Comparison of estimated glomerular filtration rate change with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors versus glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists among people with diabetes: A propensity-score matching study.

AIM: To compare the risk of developing kidney outcomes with use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) versus use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors among individuals with diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, we analysed 12 338 individuals with diabetes who newly initiated SGLT2 inhibitors or GLP-1RAs using data from the JMDC claims database. The primary outcome was change in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), estimated using a linear mixed-effects model. A 1:4 propensity-score-matching algorithm was used to compare the changes in eGFR between GLP-1RA and SGLT2 inhibitor users. RESULTS: After propensity-score matching, 2549 individuals (median [range] age 52 [46-58] years, 80.6% men) were analysed (510 GLP-1RA new users and 2039 SGLT2 inhibitor new users). SGLT2 inhibitor use was associated with a slower eGFR decline when compared with GLP-1RA use (-1.41 [95% confidence interval -1.63 to -1.19] mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. -2.62 [95% confidence interval -3.15 to -2.10] mL/min/1.73 m2). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis demonstrates the potential advantages of SGLT2 inhibitors over GLP-1RAs in terms of kidney outcomes in individuals with diabetes.

Body weight change associated kidney outcomes of sodium-glucose cotransporter new users.

AIM: To investigate the clinical significance of body weight changes on kidney outcomes among individuals with diabetes using sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study using a nationwide epidemiological database, and we conducted an analysis involving 11 569 individuals with diabetes who were newly prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors. The main outcome was the rate of decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), determined through a linear mixed-effects model with an unstructured covariance structure. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 52 (Q1-Q3: 47-58) years, and the median fasting plasma glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were 144 (Q1-Q3: 124-175) mg/dL and 7.4 (Q1-Q3: 6.8-8.3)%, respectively. The median estimated eGFR was 77.7 (Q1-Q3: 67.2-89.1) mL/min/1.73 m2. The median follow-up period was 1.7 (Q1-Q3: 1.0-2.6) years. Participants were stratified into three groups based on the body mass index change rate tertiles between baseline and 1 year after (tertile 1: <-4.55%, tertile 2: -4.55% to -1.43%, tertile 3: >-1.43%). The annual change in eGFR was -0.78 (-0.94 to -0.63) mL/min/1.73 m2 in tertile 1, -0.95 (-1.09 to -0.81) mL/min/1.73 m2 in tertile 2, and -1.65 mL/min/1.73 m2 (-1.84 to -1.47) in tertile 3 (pinteraction < 0.001). A variety of sensitivity analyses confirmed the relationship between the 1-year body mass index decrease and favourable kidney outcomes after SGLT2 inhibitor administration. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis of a nationwide epidemiological cohort revealed that kidney outcomes following the initiation of SGLT2 inhibitors would be more favourable, with greater body weight loss observed after the initiation of SGLT2 inhibitors.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Incident Cardiovascular Disease.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding the relationship between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) are scarce. We aimed to clarify the association of BPH with the risk of developing CVD using a nationwide epidemiological database. METHODS AND RESULTS: This retrospective observational cohort study analyzed data from the JMDC Claims Database between 2005 and 2022, including 2,370,986 men (median age 44 years). The primary endpoints were myocardial infarction (MI), angina pectoris (AP), stroke, heart failure (HF), and atrial fibrillation (AF), which were assessed separately. BPH was observed in 48,651 (2.1%) men. During a mean (±SD) follow-up of 1,359±1,020 days, 7,638 MI, 52,167 AP, 25,355 stroke, 58,183 HF, and 16,693 AF events were detected. Hazard ratios of BPH for MI, AP, stroke, HF, and AF were 1.04 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92-1.18), 1.31 (95% CI 1.25-1.37), 1.26 (95% CI 1.18-1.33), 1.21 (95% CI 1.16-1.27), and 1.15 (95% CI 1.07-1.24), respectively. We confirmed the robustness of our primary findings through a multitude of sensitivity analyses. In particular, a history of BPH was associated with a higher risk of developing CVD, even in participants without obesity, hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis of a nationwide epidemiological dataset demonstrated that BPH was associated with a greater risk of developing CVD in middle-aged men.

Awareness of Being Prescribed Antihypertensive Medications and Cardiovascular Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In patients with hypertension, unawareness of the disease often results in poor blood pressure control and increases the risk of CVD. However, data in nationwide surveys regarding the proportion of unaware individuals and the implications of such on their clinical outcomes are lacking. We aimed to clarify the association between unawareness of being prescribed antihypertensive medications among individuals taking antihypertensive medications and the subsequent risk of developing CVD.Methods and Results: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from the JMDC Claims Database, including 313,715 individuals with hypertension treated with antihypertensive medications (median age 56 years). The primary endpoint was a composite of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Overall, 19,607 (6.2%) individuals were unaware of being prescribed antihypertensive medications. During the follow-up period, 33,976 composite CVD endpoints were documented. Despite their youth, minimal comorbidities, and the achievement of better BP control with a reduced number of antihypertensive prescriptions, unawareness of being prescribed antihypertensive medications was associated with a greater risk of developing composite CVD. Hazard ratios of unawareness of being prescribed antihypertensive medications were 1.16 for myocardial infarction, 1.25 for angina pectoris, 1.15 for stroke, 1.36 for heart failure, and 1.28 for atrial fibrillation. The results were similar in several sensitivity analyses, including the analysis after excluding individuals with dementia. CONCLUSIONS: Among individuals taking antihypertensive medications, assessing the awareness of being prescribed antihypertensive medications may help identify those at high risk for CVD-related events.

Impact of Body Mass Index on Major Complications, Multiple Complications, In-hospital Mortality, and Failure to Rescue After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer: A Nationwide Inpatient Database Study in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of BMI with mortality and related outcomes after oncologic esophagectomy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Previous studies showed that high BMI was a risk factor for anastomotic leakage and low BMI was a risk factor for respiratory complications after esophagectomy. However, the association between BMI and in-hospital mortality after oncologic esophagectomy remains unclear. METHODS: Data for patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer between July 2010 and March 2019 were extracted from a Japanese nationwide inpatient database. Multivariate regression analyses and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to investigate the associations between BMI and short-term outcomes, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Among 39,406 eligible patients, in-hospital mortality, major complications, and multiple complications (≥2 major complications) occurred in 1069 (2.7%), 14,824 (37.6%), and 3621 (9.2%), respectively. Compared with normal weight (18.5-22.9 kg/m 2 ), severe underweight (<16.0 kg/m 2 ), mild/moderate underweight (16.0-18.4 kg/m 2 ), and obese (≥27.5 kg/m 2 )were significantly associated with higher in-hospital mortality [odds ratio 2.20 (95% confidence interval 1.65-2.94), 1.25 (1.01-1.49), and 1.48 (1.05-2.09), respectively]. BMI showed U-shaped dose-response associations with mortality, major complications, and multiple complications. BMI also showed a reverse J-shaped association with failure to rescue (death after major complications). CONCLUSIONS: Both high BMI and low BMI were associated with mortality, major complications and multiple complications after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Patients with low BMI were more likely to die once a major complication occurred. The present results can assist with risk stratification in patients undergoing oncologic esophagectomy.

Impact of Prophylactic Corticosteroid Use on In-hospital Mortality and Respiratory Failure After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer: Nationwide Inpatient Data Study in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of preoperative prophylactic corticosteroid use on short-term outcomes after oncologic esophagectomy. BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that prophylactic corticosteroid use may decrease the risk of respiratory failure following esophagectomy by attenuating the perioperative systemic inflammation response. However, its effectiveness has been controversial, and its impact on mortality remains unknown. METHODS: Data of patients who underwent oncologic esophagectomy between July 2010 and March 2019 were extracted from a Japanese nationwide inpatient database. Stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting, propensity score matching, and instrumental variable analyses were performed to investigate the associations between prophylactic corticosteroid use and short-term outcomes, such as in-hospital mortality and respiratory failure, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Among 35,501 eligible patients, prophylactic corticosteroids were used in 22,620 (63.7%) patients. In-hospital mortality, respiratory failure, and severe respiratory failure occurred in 924 (2.6%), 5440 (15.3%), and 2861 (8.1%) patients, respectively. In stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting analyses, corticosteroids were significantly associated with decreased in-hospital mortality [odds ratio (OR)=0.80; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.69-0.93], respiratory failure (OR=0.84; 95% CI: 0.79-0.90), and severe respiratory failure (OR=0.87; 95% CI: 0.80-0.95). Corticosteroids were also associated with decreased postoperative length of stay and total hospitalization costs. The proportion of anastomotic leakage did not differ with the use of Propensity score matching and instrumental variable analysis demonstrated similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic corticosteroid use in oncologic esophagectomy was associated with lower in-hospital mortality as well as decreased respiratory failure and severe respiratory failure, suggesting a potential benefit for preoperative corticosteroid use in esophagectomy.

Early postoperative non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anastomotic leakage after oesophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that postoperative non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use may increase the risk of anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery. However, the association between NSAIDs and anastomotic leakage after oesophagectomy is unclear. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the effect of early postoperative NSAID use on anastomotic leakage after oesophagectomy. METHODS: The Data of patients who underwent oesophagectomy for cancer between July 2010 and March 2019 were extracted from a Japanese nationwide inpatient database. Stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW), propensity score matching, and instrumental variable analyses were performed to investigate the association between NSAID use in the early postoperative period (defined as the day of and the day after surgery) and short-term outcomes, adjusting for potential confounders. The primary outcome was anastomotic leakage. The secondary outcomes were acute kidney injury, gastrointestinal bleeding, and mortality. RESULTS: Among 39 418 eligible patients, early postoperative NSAIDs were used by 16 211 individuals (41 per cent). Anastomotic leakage occurred in 5729 patients (15 per cent). In stabilized IPTW analyses, NSAIDs were not associated with anastomotic leakage (odds ratio 1.04, 95 per cent c.i. 0.97 to 1.10). The proportions of acute kidney injury and gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as 30-day mortality and in-hospital mortality, did not differ according to NSAID use. Propensity score matching and instrumental variable analyses demonstrated similar results. CONCLUSION: Early postoperative NSAID use was not associated with anastomotic leakage or other complications in patients who underwent oesophagectomy.

Sex-Specific Differences in the Risk of Heart Failure following Anti-HER2 Monoclonal Antibody Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody is associated with a greater risk of heart failure (HF) in female breast cancer patients. In recent years, the indication of anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies was further expanded to stomach, colorectal, and salivary gland cancers regardless of sex in Japan. However, there have been no data on sex difference in the risk of HF after the anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody treatment. OBJECTIVES: We compared the risk of HF between male and female cancer patients treated with anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody using a nationwide population-based database. METHOD: We analyzed 4,608 cancer patients (230 men, median age; 52 years, breast cancer; 4,333) treated with HER2 monoclonal antibody enrolled in the JMDC Claims Database. The primary outcome was the incidence of HF. RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up of 917 ± 835 days, 559 HF events were documented. Kaplan-Meier curves showed no significant difference in the incidence of HF between men and women. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that male sex was not associated with a risk of HF compared with women (HR, 0.76; 95% CI: 0.39-1.49). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis of a nationwide population-based database firstly revealed that no significant sex difference existed in the risk of HF among cancer patients treated with anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody. Our findings suggest that the use of anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies in male patients may be associated with similar risks observed in female patients.

Association of four health behaviors in Life's Essential 8 with the incidence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: The association between health behaviors and the risk of developing hypertension and diabetes is not fully understood. We aimed to examine the association between four health behaviors involved in Life's Essential 8, the American Heart Association's key measures for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health, and the incidence of hypertension and diabetes. METHODS: This observational cohort study used the JMDC Claims Database between 2005 and 2021, which is a health check-up and claims database. We analyzed 2,912,183 participants without a history of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or renal failure. Non-ideal health behaviors included smoking, slow gait speed, eating fast, and poor sleep quality. RESULTS: During 1140 ± 877 days, 201,385 hypertension and 142,156 diabetes events were recorded. In a multivariable Cox regression analysis, the risk of hypertension and diabetes increased with an increasing number of non-ideal health behaviors. The hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence interval [CI]) per 1-point increase in non-ideal health behavior components for hypertension and diabetes were 1.11 (1.10-1.11) and 1.08 (1.08-1.09), respectively. Each health behavior was independently associated with the incidence of hypertension and diabetes. A 1-point improvement in health behaviors was associated with a lower risk of developing hypertension (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.93-0.95) and diabetes (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.94-0.96). CONCLUSION: Factors that can be substituted for the four health behaviors involved in Life's Essential 8 can stratify the risk of hypertension and diabetes, and improving these health behaviors is useful in preventing hypertension and diabetes in general population.

Enduring Relevance of the Stages of Change Model for Transforming Lifestyle Behaviors.

BACKGROUND: The applicability of the Stages of Change model for cardiovascular disease-related behaviors, such as smoking, exercise, diet, and sleep quality, is unclear.Methods and Results: Using a large-scale epidemiological dataset, we found that baseline behavior change intention, as per the transtheoretical model, was associated with modifications of unhealthy lifestyles including cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, skipping breakfast, and poor sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that an individual's motivation to change assessed by a general questionnaire may contribute to lifestyle modification and potentially prevent subsequent cardiovascular disease.

Subjective Gait Speed and Risk of Developing Cardiovascular Events in 56,589 Cancer Survivors.

Despite having a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), there are currently limited data for stratifying CVD risk among cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to uncover the relationship of subjective gait speed with incident CVD among cancer survivors.This retrospective observational cohort study analyzed data from the JMDC Claims Database between 2005 and 2021 including 56,589 patients with a prior history of breast, colorectal, or stomach cancer but no history of CVD. Gait speed was evaluated using information from self-reported questionnaires collected during health checkups. The primary endpoint was composite CVD outcome, which included heart failure, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and stroke.The median (interquartile range) age was 54 (48-61) years, and 20,981 (37.1%) were male. Among them, 25,933 patients (45.8%) reported fast gait speed. During a mean follow-up period of 1002 ± 803 days, 3,221 composite CVD outcomes were recorded. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, slow gait speed was associated with a higher risk of developing CVD compared with fast gait speed (hazard ratio, 1.14, 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.22). This association was consistent across a variety of sensitivity analyses.We demonstrated that subjective slow gait speed was associated with a greater risk of CVD development among cancer survivors. This suggests the potential value of gait speed assessment for the CVD risk stratification of cancer patients as well as the clinical importance of maintaining exercise capacity among patients living with cancer.

Association of Blood Pressure Classification Using the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Blood Pressure Guideline With Risk of Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are growing in prevalence worldwide. Few studies have assessed to what extent stage 1 hypertension in the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association blood pressure (BP) guidelines is associated with incident HF and AF. METHODS: Analyses were conducted with a nationwide health claims database collected in the JMDC Claims Database between 2005 and 2018 (n=2 196 437; mean age, 44.0±10.9 years; 58.4% men). No participants were taking antihypertensive medication or had a known history of cardiovascular disease. Each participant was categorized as having normal BP (systolic BP <120 mm Hg and diastolic BP <80 mm Hg; n=1 155 885), elevated BP (systolic BP 120-129 mm Hg and diastolic BP <80 mm Hg; n=337 390), stage 1 hypertension (systolic BP 130-139 mm Hg or diastolic BP 80-89 mm Hg; n=459 820), or stage 2 hypertension (systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg; n=243 342). Using Cox proportional hazards models, we identified associations between BP groups and HF/AF events. We also calculated the population attributable fractions to estimate the proportion of HF and AF events that would be preventable if participants with stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension were to have normal BP. RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up of 1112±854 days, 28 056 incident HF and 7774 incident AF events occurred. After multivariable adjustment, hazard ratios for HF and AF events were 1.10 (95% CI, 1.05-1.15) and 1.07 (95% CI, 0.99-1.17), respectively, for elevated BP; 1.30 (95% CI, 1.26-1.35) and 1.21 (95% CI, 1.13-1.29), respectively, for stage 1 hypertension; and 2.05 (95% CI, 1.97-2.13) and 1.52 (95% CI, 1.41-1.64), respectively, for stage 2 hypertension versus normal BP. Population attributable fractions for HF associated with stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension were 23.2% (95% CI, 20.3%-26.0%) and 51.2% (95% CI, 49.2%-53.1%), respectively. The population attributable fractions for AF associated with stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension were 17.4% (95% CI, 11.5%-22.9%) and 34.3% (95% CI, 29.1%-39.2%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both stage 1 hypertension and stage 2 hypertension were associated with a greater incidence of HF and AF in the general population. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association BP classification system may help identify adults at higher risk for HF and AF events.

Kidney outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus did not differ between individual sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors.

Data comparing kidney outcomes between individual sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are limited. Here, we aimed to compare the subsequent risk of developing kidney outcomes between individual inhibitors. This would be the first study to compare kidney outcomes of patients with diabetes mellitus who were newly treated with individual SGLT2 inhibitors using a large-scale real-world dataset. To do this, we analyzed results from 12,100 patients with diabetes mellitus who were taking different SGLT2 inhibitors (2,573 with empagliflozin; 2,214 with dapagliflozin; 2,100 with canagliflozin; and 5,213 with other such inhibitors). The primary outcome was the rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline as assessed using a linear mixed-effects model with an unstructured covariance. The median age of the patients was 53 years, and 84.4% of the patients were men. The median fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c levels were 147 (interquartile range 126-178) mg/dL and 7.5 (6.9-8.4)%, respectively. The median eGFR was 78 mL/min/1.73 m2 (interquartile range 68-90). The mean follow-up period was 773 days. The annual eGFR slopes of empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, canagliflozin, and other SGLT2 inhibitors were -1.15 (95% confidence interval, -1.33 to -0.96), -1.14 (-1.32 to -0.96), -1.24 (-1.44 to -1.04), and -1.06 (-1.18 to -0.94) ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively. No significant interaction was detected between the SGLT2 inhibitors and time using a linear mixed-effects model. A multitude of sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of our primary results. Thus, we found that there was no significant difference in the annual eGFR decline slopes between patients taking different SGLT2 inhibitors.

Glycemic status and the association of change in blood pressure with incident cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: The clinical benefit of blood pressure (BP) reduction in individuals with diabetes has not been fully elucidated. We sought to identify the clinical impact of BP reduction on incident cardiovascular disease in people having diabetes and hypertension. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including 754,677 individuals (median age 47 years, 75.8 % men) with stage 1/stage 2 hypertension. Participants were categorized using fasting plasma glucose (FPG) at baseline as normal FPG (FPG < 100 mg/dL) (n = 517,372), prediabetes (FPG:100-125 mg/dL) (n = 197,836), or diabetes mellitus (FPG ≥126 mg/dL) (n = 39,469). The primary outcome was heart failure (HF), and the secondary outcomes included ischemic heart disease (IHD) including myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, and stroke. RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up of 1111 ± 909 days, 18,429 HFs, 17,058 IHDs, and 8,795 strokes were recorded. Reduction in BP of< 120/80 mmHg at 1year was associated with a lower risk of developing HF (HR:0.77, 95% CI:0.72-0.82), IHD (HR:0.84, 95% CI:0.79-0.89), and stroke (HR:0.75, 95% CI:0.69-0.82) in individuals with normal FPG, whereas it was not associated with a risk of developing HF (HR:0.98, 95% CI:0.81-1.17) and stroke (HR:0.82, 95% CI:0.62-1.09) in those with DM. Interaction analyses showed that the influence of BP reduction on incident HF was attenuated with people with prediabetes or DM. A multitude of sensitivity analyses confirmed our results. CONCLUSIONS: The association of BP reduction with the risk of developing HF was attenuated with deteriorating glucose tolerance. The optimal management strategy for hypertensive people with prediabetes or DM for the prevention of developing cardiovascular disease (particularly HF) is needed to be established.