The diastolic blood pressure J-curve revisited: An update

A different perspective on studying stroke predictors: joint models for longitudinal and time-to-event data in a type 2 diabetes mellitus cohort

BACKGROUND

Most predictive models rely on risk factors and clinical outcomes assessed simultaneously. This approach does not adequately reflect the progression of health conditions. By employing joint models of longitudinal and survival data, we can dynamically adjust prognosis predictions for individual patients. Our objective was to optimize the prediction of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) via joint models that incorporate all available changes in the predictive variables.

METHODS

A total of 3442 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and no history of stroke, TIA or myocardial infarction were followed for 12 years. Models were constructed independently for men and women. We used proportional hazards regression models to assess the effects of baseline characteristics (excluding longitudinal data) on the risk of stroke/TIA and linear mixed effects models to assess the effects of baseline characteristics on longitudinal data development over time. Both submodels were then combined into a joint model. To optimize the analysis, a univariate analysis was first performed for each longitudinal predictor to select the functional form that gave the best fit via the deviance information criterion. The variables were then entered into a multivariate model using pragmatic criteria, and if they improved the discriminatory ability of the model, the area under the curve (AUC) was used.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period, 303 patients (8.8%) experienced their first stroke/TIA. Age was identified as an independent predictor among males. Among females, age was positively associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). The final model for males included AF, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), with albuminuria and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as adjustment variables. For females, the model included AF, blood pressure (BP), and renal function (albuminuria and GFR), with HbA1c and LDL cholesterol as adjustment variables. Both models demonstrated an AUC greater than 0.70.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, AF, and SBP have been confirmed as significant predictive factors in both sexes, whereas renal function was significant only in women. Interestingly, an increase in DBP may serve as a protective factor in our cohort. These factors were particularly relevant in the last 3-7 years of follow-up.

Epidemiology of Hypertension in Older Adults

The exact definition of hypertension in older adults has changed over the decades, but the benefits of strict blood pressure control across the life span are being increasingly recognized by professional societies and guideline committees. This article discusses the prevalence of hypertension in older adults and describes the associations between hypertension and both clinical and nonclinical morbidity in that population.

Effect of Population-Level Blood Pressure Treatment Strategies on Cardiovascular and Cognitive Outcomes

BACKGROUND

The large and increasing number of adults living with dementia is a pressing societal priority, which may be partially mitigated through improved population-level blood pressure (BP) control. We explored how tighter population-level BP control affects the incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events and dementia.

METHODS

Using an open-source ASCVD and dementia simulation analysis platform, the Michigan Chronic Disease Simulation Model, we evaluated how optimal implementation of 2 BP treatments based on the Eighth Joint National Committee recommendations and SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) protocol would influence population-level ASCVD events, global cognitive performance, and all-cause dementia. We simulated 3 populations (usual care, Eighth Joint National Committee based, SPRINT based) using nationally representative data to annually update risk factors and assign ASCVD events, global cognitive performance scores, and dementia, applying different BP treatments in each population. We tabulated total ASCVD events, global cognitive performance, all-cause dementia, optimal brain health, and years lived in each state per population.

RESULTS

Optimal implementation of SPRINT-based BP treatment strategy, compared with usual care, reduced ASCVD events in the United States by ≈77 000 per year and produced 0.4 more years of stroke- or myocardial infarction-free survival when averaged across all Americans. Population-level gains in years lived free of ASCVD events were greater for SPRINT-based than Eighth Joint National Committee-based treatment. Survival and years spent with optimal brain health improved with optimal SPRINT-based BP treatment implementation versus usual care: the average patient with hypertension lived 0.19 additional years and 0.3 additional years in optimal brain health. SPRINT-based BP treatment increased the number of years lived without dementia (by an average of 0.13 years/person with hypertension), but increased the total number of individuals with dementia, mainly through more adults surviving to advanced ages.

CONCLUSIONS

Tighter BP control likely benefits most individuals but is unlikely to reduce dementia prevalence and might even increase the number of older adults living with dementia.

A retrospective single-centre study on determinants of high-risk coronary artery calcium (CAC) score in women

One of the assessments for coronary atherosclerosis during cardiac computed tomography (CT) is coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring. We conducted analysis on the determinants of high-risk coronary calcification, represented by CAC score, among women as a step to improve their outcomes and prognosis. This study involved a total of 1,129 female patients from a single centre. There were 127 patients (11.2%) classified as high risk (CAC ≥400). We found that a history of hypertension and diabetes are independent determinants of having a high-risk CAC score. Furthermore, this study demonstrated protective effects associated with physical activity and diastolic blood pressure. In conclusion, a history of hypertension, diabetes, and high uncontrolled systolic blood pressure might be used as cues for physicians to prioritise CAC assessment in women, despite the absence of chest pain or atypical symptoms.

Highlights of the 2022 Vietnamese Society of Hypertension guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of arterial hypertension: The collaboration of the Vietnamese Society of Hypertension (VSH) task force with the contribution of the Vietnam National Heart Association (VNHA): The collaboration of the Vietnamese Society of Hypertension (VSH) task force with the contribution of the Vietnam National Heart Association (VNHA)

Hypertension is uncontrolled in over 50% hypertensive population in Vietnam which indicated a compelling need for new hypertension guidelines. The highlights were composed of three parts: the diagnosis of arterial hypertension, the recommendation of home blood pressure monitoring, and the treatment of hypertension. Our guideline applied flexibility based upon the "essential" and "optimal" concepts in the diagnosis and management of hypertensive patients according to the socio-economic status of Vietnam. Hypertension is defined as an office systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg which is equivalent to a 24-hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring average of ≥130/80 mmHg or home blood pressure monitoring average of ≥135/85 mmHg. We established an integrated hypertensive diagnostic algorithm for adults with the optimal option by the role of out-of-office blood pressure measurement, especially home blood pressure monitoring, which is fully recommended in this guideline. The threshold and target of hypertension treatment were individualized in safety range and effective evidence-based medicine. We also update for the management of resistant hypertension, hypertension in diabetic patients, hypertension with heart failure, and with other comorbidities. Vietnam has tried on the best strategy for improving the control of hypertension and recently received several achievements in the world, especially in the Asian region. Because the conditions for conducting our national data have not been fully conducted, we have to adapt from existing guidelines so there are still certain limitations that need to be supplemented and adjusted in the upcoming version.