Blood pressure level and risk of major cardiovascular events and all-cause of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and renal impairment: an observational study from the Swedish National Diabetes Register

CVD incidence and mortality among people with diabetes and/or hypertension: Results from the English longitudinal study of ageing

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Diabetes and/or hypertension are the most common conditions in older people, and also related to higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and mortality. This study aims to explore the risk of CVD incidence and mortality among older people with diabetes and/or hypertension over a 16 years follow-up period and investigates the role of depression and obesity in these relationships.

METHODS

6,855 participants aged 50+ from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). The main exposure is having diabetes and/or hypertension at baseline (2002/2003) compared to not having, but excluded those with coronary heart disease (CHD) and/or stroke (CVD). Survival models are used for CVD incidence and mortality up to 2018, adjusted for socio-demographic, health, health behaviours, cognitive function, and physical function characteristics.

RESULTS

39.3% of people at baseline had diabetes and/or hypertension. The risk of CVD incidence was 1.7 (95%CI: 1.5; 1.9) higher among people with diabetes and/or hypertension compared to those without and was independent of covariates adjustment. People with diabetes and/or hypertension were also 1.3 (95%CI: 1.1; 1.8) times more likely to die from CVD than those without. We did not find evidence for an elevated risk of CVD incidence and mortality among people with obesity nor among those with depression.

CONCLUSIONS

In order to effectively reduce the risk of CVD incidence and mortality among older people, treatment as well as management of hypertension and diabetes should be routinely considered for older people with diabetes and/or hypertension.

Associations of blood pressure with cardiovascular and mortality outcomes in over 2 million older persons with or without diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 45 cohort studies

BACKGROUND

The impact of blood pressure on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality outcomes in older people with diabetes mellitus (DM) is not well quantified. Using a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational cohort studies, we aimed to compare the associations of blood pressure levels with cardiovascular and mortality outcomes in older people aged ≥ 65 years with or without DM.

METHODS

Studies were identified from MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and search of bibliographies to July 2022. Study-specific risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled.

RESULTS

Forty-five unique observational cohort studies (n = 2305,189 participants) assessing the associations of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels with adverse cardiovascular outcomes were included. In the general population, the pooled RRs (95% CIs) of SBP ≥ 140 vs < 140 mmHg and per 10 mmHg increase for composite CVD/MACE were 1.26 (0.96-1.64) and 1.15 (1.08-1.23), respectively. The respective estimates were 1.56 (1.04-2.34) and 1.10 (1.04-1.18) for patients with DM. SBP ≥ 130 vs < 130 mmHg was not associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in both populations. SBP < 120 vs ≥ 120 mmHg was associated with an increased risk of all cause-mortality in the general population (n = 10 studies). DBP ≥ 90 mmHg was associated with an increased risk of some adverse cardiovascular outcomes in both populations. Interaction analyses suggested similar risk of outcomes in both populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Observational evidence suggests SBP and DBP confer similar cardiovascular and mortality risk in older adults in the general population and those with DM. A blood pressure target range of > 130/80 to < 140/90 mmHg may be optimal for patients ≥ 65 years with DM, but specific targets may need to be individualised based on patients' unique circumstances. Furthermore, findings do not support stringent blood pressure control in this population group. Definitive RCTs are needed to support these observational findings.

Sex-specific prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in adults in India: a study for developing sex-specific public policy from the longitudinal ageing study in India (LASI) data 2017-2018

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Hypertension is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease and the leading cause of mortality among Indian adults. The difference in health status between men and women is becoming a great burden in itself worldwide. This study aimed to examine the differences between men and women in the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and related risk factors among people aged 45 and older in India using data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India in 2017-2018.

METHODS

Descriptive statistics were presented separately for males and females. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the socio-demographic, lifestyle behaviours, and biological factors associated with the prevalence of hypertension. All statistical analyses were conducted using Stata Version 16.0 statistical software. The study of the data was conducted using survey weights available in the LASI datasets.

KEY FINDINGS

Overall, the study found that 45.1% of the study population had hypertension, with 26.9% self-reporting their condition and 30% having hypertension at the time of measurement. Approximately 41% of males and 59% of females had hypertension. The self-reported hypertension of men was found to differ significantly from measured hypertension by 8.7%, while in women the difference was only 1.2%. Diabetes was found to increase the odds of having hypertension in both males (OR = 3.65, 95% CI (3.37-3.97)) and females (OR = 3.46, 95% CI (3.21-3.74)).

CONCLUSION

The difference between self-reported and measured hypertension in men and women is contributing to sex-gender and health inequalities that must be addressed. For adult females with hypertension, it is important to prioritize obesity, education level, physical activity, and regular clinic visits to manage chronic conditions. Based on our findings, policy recommendations can be made to focus on increasing women's literacy, promoting men's screening for hypertension, banning tobacco and alcohol sales, and organizing hypertension awareness campaigns specifically for men and in rural areas.

Circulating CD5L is associated with cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in individuals with chronic kidney disease

This study assessed the association of CD5L and soluble CD36 (sCD36) with the risk of a cardiovascular event (CVE), including CV death and all-cause mortality in CKD. We evaluated the association of CD5L and sCD36 with a predefined composite CV endpoint (unstable angina, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack, cerebrovascular accident, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, peripheral arterial disease [PAD] or amputation by PAD, aortic aneurysm, or death from CV causes) and all-cause mortality using Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusted for CV risk factors. The analysis included 1,516 participants free from pre-existing CV disease followed up for 4 years. The median age was 62 years, 38.8% were female, and 26.8% had diabetes. There were 98 (6.5%) CVEs and 72 (4.8%) deaths, of which 26 (36.1%) were of CV origin. Higher baseline CD5L concentration was associated with increased risk of CVE (HR, 95% CI, 1.17, 1.0–1.36), and all-cause mortality (1.22, 1.01–1.48) after adjusting for age, sex, diabetes, systolic blood pressure, dyslipidemia, waist circumference, smoking, and CKD stage. sCD36 showed no association with adverse CV outcomes or mortality. Our study showed for the first time that higher concentrations of CD5L are associated with future CVE and all-cause mortality in individuals with CKD.

Venlafaxine Caffeic Acid Salt: Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Hypoglycemic Effect Analysis

Depression is a recurrent and chronic mental disorder requiring long-term treatment. Major depressive disorder is present in 15-20% of patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Large-scale evidence revealed that depression and depressive symptoms are independent risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes, and they may contribute to hyperglycemia and even accelerate the premature onset of diabetes complications. Venlafaxine is a clinical first-line antidepressant used for more than 30 years. Recently, clinical reports showed that venlafaxine overdose might cause hypoglycemia. Venlafaxine is insoluble and salt formation technology is the most appropriate method to improve the physicochemical properties and the pharmacokinetic profile of the drug. In the present work, the use of the solvent evaporation method, slurry, and the liquid-assisted grinding method resulted in the crystalline salt venlafaxine-caffeic acid (1:1). The compounds were characterized using a series of solid-state techniques, viz., powder X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, and the crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Besides, a comparative study of solubility, dissolution, and hypoglycemic activity of the parent drug and the new salt has been carried out. The tested venlafaxine-caffeic acid salt showed about 16-fold higher solubility than the pure drug. Moreover, the glucose consumption assay results showed that the novel salt possesses potent hypoglycemic activity in vitro, suggesting that it is a promising candidate effective for major depressive disorder patients with type 2 diabetes.

Sex differences in prevalence and risk factors of hypertension in India: Evidence from the National Family Health Survey-4

To estimate sex-specific prevalence and associated socio-economic, demographic, and lifestyle risk factors of hypertension in India. We used data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) of 2015-16. The analysis based on 6,99,686 women (15-49 years) and 1,12,122 men (15-54 years) whose blood pressure (BP) were measured during the survey. Bivariate distribution was used to show the prevalence of hypertension and, maps were used to present its spatial patterns. Logistic regression model was used to identify sex-specific association between risk factors and hypertension. Results show that the overall prevalence of hypertension was 16.32% among men and 11.56% among women. We also found that the prevalence of hypertension across selected socio-economic, demographic and lifestyle background characteristics and in a majority of the states was higher among men compared to women. Odds ratios from logistic regression analysis direct sex-related differences in risk factors. Hypertension increases with an increase in age and the risk is higher among older women (AOR, 5.58; 95% CI, 5.16-6.03 for women aged 40-49 and AOR, 4.24; 95% CI, 3.94-4.57 for men aged 50-54) compared to men. Education, types of jobs (specially technical, administrative and managerial), marital status and non-vegetarian diet were significantly associated with hypertension in men. While other than age; non-working, consumption of alcohol, and being a diabetic was found to be major risk factors for this disease among women. There are sex-related differences in prevalence as well as risk factors of hypertension in India. In order to prevent early developments of hypertension, awareness related to changing lifestyles such as a diet rich in fruits, vegetables as well as screening to control BP should be promoted among youths and adults in India. The study also recommends sex-specific approaches in health infrastructure and policies besides increasing public awareness.

Ginkgo biloba leaf extract prevents diabetic nephropathy through the suppression of tissue transglutaminase

The present study aimed to investigate the preventive effects of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GBE) against extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat model of diabetic nephropathy (DN), and to determine its underlying molecular mechanism. In vivo, a rat model of DN was established by intraperitoneal injection of STZ, and the rats were subsequently administered GBE. The results demonstrated that GBE significantly decreased blood glucose, the urine protein excretion rate and ECM accumulation in DN rats. In addition, the development of DN significantly induced tissue transglutaminase (tTG) protein expression, which was detected by immunohistochemistry, western blotting and PCR analyses, while GBE administration decreased tTG expression in the diabetic kidney. In vitro, rat glomerular mesangial cells (HBZY-1 cells) cultured with high glucose were also treated with GBE. The concentrations of tTG, fibronectin, type IV collagen, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were detected via ELISA. The results demonstrated that GBE notably decreased the concentration of these proteins, and tTG expression was positively associated with TGF-β. GBE also suppressed tTG expression of high glucose-treated HBZY-1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, tTG protein expression was detected in high glucose-treated HBZY-1 cells transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) oligonucleotides against TGF-β and CTGF to investigate a possible mechanism of GBE-mediated inhibition of tTG. The results demonstrated that the tTG levels remained unchanged in CTGF siRNA-transfected cells, but were decreased in the GBE + CTGF siRNA group compared with the control siRNA group, suggesting that tTG may not be regulated by CTGF, and the inhibitory effect of GBE on tTG may not be associated with the direct inhibition of CTGF. However, tTG expression was decreased following the transfection with TGF-β siRNA, in which levels of tTG were similar compared with both the GBE group and GBE + TGF-β siRNA group, indicating that tTG may be regulated by TGF-β, and that the GBE-induced repression of tTG expression may be associated with the downregulation of TGF-β. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that GBE prevented ECM accumulation by suppressing tTG expression in DN, which was predominantly mediated by TGF-β.

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease and Associated Factors Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Selected Hospitals of Harari Region, Eastern Ethiopia

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most prevalent complication and the leading cause of death among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients have a 2- to 4-fold increased risk of CVD. There is a scarcity of data about the magnitude of CVD among patients with diabetes in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of CVD among T2DM patients at selected hospitals of Harari regional state of Ethiopia. Methods: This hospital-based retrospective data review was conducted among T2DM patients on follow-up in the diabetes clinics of selected hospitals of Harari regional state. The records of T2DM patients who have been diagnosed between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017, were reviewed from March to April 2018. Data were collected by using structured checklists from all necessary documents of T2DM patients. Statistical analysis was done using STATA 14.1. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with CVD. Result: The records of 454 T2DM patients were extracted from three government hospitals in Harari regional state. Their age was ranging from 15 to 86 years with a mean age (±SD) of 45.39 (14.76). The overall prevalence of CVD among T2DM patients was 42.51%, composed of hypertensive heart diseases (38.99%), heart failure (6.83%), and stroke (2.20%). The final multivariate logistic regression model revealed that age older than 60 years [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.22; 95% CI: 1.71-6.09], being physically inactive (AOR = 1.45; 95 CI: 1.06-2.38), drinking alcohol (AOR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.17-6.06), hypertension (AOR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.52-3.83), body mass index >24.9 kg/m2 (AOR = 1.81; 95% CI: 1.07-3.07), and experiencing microvascular diabetic complications (AOR = 3.62; 95% CI: 2.01-6.53) were significantly associated with the odds of having CVD. Conclusion: The prevalence of CVD was high and associated with advanced age, physical inactivity, drinking alcohol, higher body mass index, hypertension, and having microvascular complications. Health care workers should educate T2DM patients about healthy lifestyles like physical activity, weight reduction, blood pressure control, and alcohol secession, which can reduce the risk of CVD.

Clinical outcomes after cardiac rehabilitation in elderly patients with and without diabetes mellitus: The EU-CaRE multicenter cohort study

Background

The prevalence of patients with concomitant cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing rapidly. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of current cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs across seven European countries between elderly cardiac patients with and without DM.

Methods

1633 acute and chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and patients after valve intervention with an age 65 or above who participated in comprehensive CR (3 weeks to 3 months, depending on centre) were included. Peak oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak), body mass index, resting systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were assessed before start of CR, at termination of CR (variable time point), and 12 months after start of CR, with no intervention after CR. Baseline values and changes from baseline to 12-month follow-up were compared between patients with and without DM using mixed models, and mortality and hospitalisation rates using logistic regression.

Results

430 (26.3%) patients had DM. Patients with DM had more body fat, lower educational level, more comorbidities, cardiovascular risk factors, and more advanced CAD. Both groups increased their VO₂ peak over the study period but with a significantly lower improvement from baseline to follow-up in patients with DM. In the DM group, change in HbA1c was associated with weight change but not with change in absolute VO₂ peak. 12-month cardiac mortality was higher in patients with DM.

Conclusions

While immediate improvements in VO₂ peak after CR in elderly patients with and without DM were similar, 12-month maintenance of this improvement was inferior in patients with DM, possibly related to disease progression. Glycemic control was less favourable in diabetic patients needing insulin in the short- and long-term. Since glycemic control was only related to weight loss but not to increase in exercise capacity, this highlights the importance of weight loss in obese DM patients during CR.

Trial registration NTR5306 at trialregister.nl; trial registered 07/16/2015; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/5166

Blood pressure indices and cardiovascular disease mortality in persons with or without diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

We examined the associations between blood pressure indices (SBP, DBP, mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality among persons with or without diabetes mellitus (NON-DM) in a multiethnic cohort.

METHODS

We included 17 650 participants from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III and 1439 participants from Diabetes Heart Study (total n = 19 089, 16.3% had diabetes mellitus, mean age 48.5 years, 44.4% white, 27.1% black, 28.5% other race, 54.4% women). Cox proportional hazard, cubic spline and area under the curve analyses were used to assess the associations. CVD death was ascertained via social security registry or the National Death Index.

RESULTS

After a mean (SD) of 16.2 (6.1) years of follow-up, 17.9% of diabetes mellitus and 8.8% of those NON-DM died of CVD. Diabetes mellitus was associated with an increased risk of CVD death [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.50 (1.25-1.82)]. One SD increase in SBP was significantly associated with CVD mortality in NON-DM [1.28 (1.18-1.39)] but not diabetes mellitus [1.04 (0.88-1.23)] in the full Cox models. Adjusted cubic spline analysis showed significant nonlinear but different association between SBP and CVD mortality among diabetes mellitus (U-shaped) and NON-DM (J-shaped). The C-statistics of our full model in NON-DM and diabetes mellitus were (0.888 vs. 0.735, P < 0.001). SBP showed a trend toward improving C statistics in NON-DM but not diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSION

The association between SBP and CVD mortality risk is nonlinear but different in diabetes mellitus (U-shaped) and NON-DM (J-shaped), explaining why aggressive blood pressure lowering may have different outcomes in these two groups.

Multiple risk factor control, mortality and cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: a population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of multiple risk factor control (MRFC) at reducing mortality and cardiovascular events in diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in clinical practice.

DESIGN

Population-based cohort study.

SETTING

Primary care database in the UK, linked with inpatient and mortality data.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants aged 40-79 years with type 2 diabetes and valid serum creatinine measurements, including 11 431 participants with CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate: eGFR 15-59 mL/min/1.73 m²) and 36 429 participants with non-CKD (eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m²).

EXPOSURES

MRFC consisted of four components: Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) <53 mmol/mol (<7.0%), blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg, total cholesterol <5 mmol/L and no smoking. The main exposure variable was the number of risk factors controlled at baseline.

OUTCOME MEASURES

All-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the overall participants. Cardiovascular events, including coronary heart disease and stroke, in participants limited to those without a history of cardiovascular diseases at baseline.

RESULTS

In participants with CKD, 37% or 13% met three or four MRFC criteria, respectively. Increasing numbers of risk factors controlled were associated with lower relative hazards for all outcomes studied compared with those meeting no or one criterion. For participants with CKD meeting four criteria, the adjusted HR for all-cause mortality was 0.60 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.69) and the adjusted subdistribution HR for cardiovascular mortality was 0.60 (95% CI 0.50 to 0.70), considering a competing risk of non-cardiovascular death. Participants meeting four criteria also had lower relative hazards for coronary heart disease (adjusted subdistribution HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.91) and stroke (0.63, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.89), considering death as a competing risk.

CONCLUSIONS

MRFC may lower the increased risks for mortality and cardiovascular events in people with diabetes and CKD. Further research is needed to evaluate appropriateness of MRFC according to individual participants' health status for improved management of cardiovascular risks in this population.

Decreased systolic blood pressure is associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and renal impairment: A nationwide longitudinal observational study of 27,732 patients based on the Swedish National Diabetes Register

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown a U-shaped relationship between systolic blood pressure and risk of all-cause of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and renal impairment.

AIMS

To evaluate the associations between time-updated systolic blood pressure and time-updated change in systolic blood pressure during the follow-up period and risk of all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and renal impairment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 27,732 patients with type 2 diabetes and renal impairment in the Swedish National Diabetes Register were followed for 4.7 years. Time-dependent Cox models were used to estimate risk of all-cause mortality. Time-updated mean systolic blood pressure is the average of the baseline and the reported post-baseline systolic blood pressures.

RESULTS

A time-updated systolic blood pressure < 130 mmHg was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality in patients both with and without a history of chronic heart failure (hazard ratio: 1.25, 95% confidence interval: 1.13-1.40 and hazard ratio: 1.26, 1.17-1.36, respectively). A time-updated decrease in systolic blood pressure > 10 mmHg between the last two observations was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality (-10 to -25 mmHg; hazard ratio: 1.24, 95% confidence interval: 1.17-1.32).

CONCLUSION

Both low systolic blood pressure and a decrease in systolic blood pressure during the follow-up are associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and renal impairment.

[Antihypertensive therapy in diabetes mellitus: Guidelines of the Austrian Diabetes Association 2016]

Blood pressure lowering is one of the most important interventions for reducing the vascular complications and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus. Recent studies indicate that the optimal blood pressure level might be in the range between 130-140 mmHg systolic and 80‒90 mmHg diastolic. Lower blood pressure levels (e.g. 120/80 mmHg) can further reduce the risk for stroke and diabetic nephropathy, but are associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. In particular, very low blood pressure levels (< 120 mmHg) should be avoided in patients with coronary heart disease or peripheral arterial disease. Most patients with diabetes mellitus need antihypertensive combination therapies, whereby ACE-inhibitors or Angiotensin-II receptor antagonists should be first line drugs.

Mortality in Individuals Aged 80 and Older with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Relation to Glycosylated Hemoglobin, Blood Pressure, and Total Cholesterol

Objectives

To evaluate whether low glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure (BP), and total cholesterol (TC) are associated with lower risk of all‐cause mortality in very old individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Design

Population‐based cohort study.

Setting

Primary care database in the United Kingdom.

Participants

Individuals aged 80 and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus (N = 25,966).

Measurements

Associations between baseline HbA1c, BP, and TC and all‐cause mortality were evaluated in Cox proportional hazards models. Analyses were adjusted for sex, age, duration of diabetes mellitus, lifestyle variables, HbA1c, BP, TC, comorbidities, prescribing of antidiabetic and cardiovascular drugs, and participants’ general practice.

Results

There were 4,490 deaths during follow‐up (median 2.0 years; mortality 104.7 per 1,000 person‐years). Mortality in participants with low (<6.0% (<42 mmol/mol)) or high (≥8.5% (≥69 mmol/mol)) HbA1c was similar to that in those with the reference HbA1c (8.0–8.4% (64–68 mmol/mol)). Mortality was lowest in individuals with HbA1c of 7.0–7.4% (53–57 mmol/mol) (80.9 per 1,000 person‐years, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.70–0.91, P = .001). Mortality was higher in individuals with lower BP (e.g., <130/70 mmHg, 151.7 per 1,000 person‐years, aHR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.34–1.72, P < .001 vs reference BP <150/90 mmHg) and in the lowest TC category (<3.0 mmol/L, 138.7 per 1,000 person‐years, aHR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.24–1.64, P < .001 vs reference TC 4.5–4.9 mmol/L). The relationship between TC and mortality varied according to sex and prescription of lipid‐lowering drugs.

Conclusion

Low HbA1c, BP, and TC may be associated with higher mortality in very old adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Further research is required to understand these associations and to identify optimal treatment targets in this population.

Determinants of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes: a review

We aimed to review and summarize the evidence from accomplished trials analyzing factors influencing mortality in patients with T2DM and to provide some recommendations for targets and treatment in the European region. The following databases were searched for relevant trials: PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Of 3.806 citations, 134 trials met our inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

The reduction in lifetime for 65 + -years-old patients having less than 10 years T2DM amounts to 1.8 years. Having T2DM for more than 10 years lifetime will be reduced by 2.7 years. However, the lifetime shortening factor of T2DM will even be stronger for 40 + -years-old patients at onset. Males will lose 11.6 years of life and 18.6 QUALYs. T2DM among females will reduce life by 14 QUALYs by 22 years. From a statistical point of view, the highest mortality rate will occur in an over 55-years-old European smoking and non-compliant diabetic woman with alcohol abuse living in a rural area with a low level of education and a low socio-economic status. Furthermore, other co-morbidities such as cardiovascular diseases, gout, and depression affect mortality. Additionally, mortality will increase with a BMI over 35 and also with a BMI under 20-25. This refers to the obesity paradox indicating a higher mortality rate among normal weight patients with T2DM compared to overweight patients with T2DM. HbA1c-levels between 6.5 % and 7 % are associated with the lowest impact on mortality.

High Blood Pressure and All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortalities in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Although hypertension is common among older adults, the optimal blood pressure (BP) for survival in older adults remains unclear. We attempt to use a large cohort to assess the relationship between BP and mortality and to gain insight into what level of BP is required for optimal survival in older adults.A total of 77,389 community-dwelling adults, aged ≥65 years, were followed between 2006 and 2010. Mortality was determined using matching cohort identifications with national death files. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the relationship of BP with all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and expanded-CVD mortalities.The mortality risks of the stage 2-3 hypertension group were substantial (all-cause mortality: hazard ratio [HR]: 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-1.37; CVDs mortality: HR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.05-1.64; expanded-CVDs mortality: HR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.15-1.71). The cardiovascular and expanded-cardiovascular mortality risks were lowest when systolic blood pressures were 120 to 129 mm Hg, and increased significantly when systolic blood pressures (SBPs) were ≥160 mm Hg or diastolic BPs were ≥90 mm Hg. A J-curve phenomenon for SBP on CVD and expanded-CVD mortality was observed. The impacts of stage 2-3 hypertension on mortality risks were significantly increased among women. The mortality risks of hypertension were not attenuated with older age.This study provides insight for identifying the optimal BP for survival in older adults, and extends the knowledge of the impacts of hypertension on mortality risks among women and the older adults.