Impact of history of diabetes mellitus on hospital mortality in men and women with first acute myocardial infarction. The National Registry of Myocardial Infarction 2 Participants

Acute myocardial infarction in the young with diabetes mellitus- national inpatient sample study with sex-based difference in outcomes

BACKGROUND

Mortality after AMI is on the decreasing trend; however, this favorable trend is not observed in the young, especially women. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective analysis using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) to identify sex-based outcomes following AMI in young with diabetes.

METHODS

NIS 2010-2014 was used to identify all patients with AMI using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes. Men (N = 30,950) and women (N = 17,928) patients diagnosed with diabetes were identified and stratified as young if age >18 and <45 years.

RESULTS

Young women with AMI and concomitant diabetes having a higher burden of overall traditional and non-traditional comorbidities. NSTEMI was the major presentation in women as compared to men. Young women with AMI and concomitant diabetes were less likely to receive revascularization with PCI [51.1% vs. 58.2%; OR 0.86, CI 0.78-0.94] or CABG [7.9% vs. 10.1%; OR 0.64, CI 0.54-0.75]. Adjusted all-cause in-hospital mortality did not differ significantly between the two groups [OR 1.06, CI 0.74-1.52]. Women had lower odds of developing cardiogenic shock, ventricular arrhythmias, and AKI, and were more likely to develop major bleeding requiring transfusion, and mitral regurgitation.

CONCLUSION

There were significant differences between young men and women with diabetes in terms of baseline characteristics and clinical presentation, use of revascularization, and cardiac complications, yet overall, in-hospital mortality does not appear to differ. More studies are needed to identify the interaction of sex and diabetes in young AMI population, and areas for practice improvement.

Newly diagnosed diabetes and outcomes after acute myocardial infarction in young adults

Objective

To examine prevalence and characteristics of newly diagnosed diabetes (NDD) in younger adults hospitalised with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and investigate whether NDD is associated with health status and clinical outcomes over 12-month post-AMI.

Methods

In individuals (18–55 years) admitted with AMI, without established diabetes, we defined NDD as (1) baseline or 1-month HbA1c≥6.5%; (2) discharge diabetes diagnosis or (3) diabetes medication initiation within 1 month. We compared baseline characteristics of NDD, established diabetes and no diabetes, and their associations with baseline, 1-month and 12-month health status (angina-specific and non-disease specific), mortality and in-hospital complications.

Results

Among 3501 patients in Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on Outcomes of Young AMI Patients study, 14.5% met NDD criteria. Among 508 patients with NDD, 35 (6.9%) received discharge diagnosis, 91 (17.9%) received discharge diabetes education and 14 (2.8%) initiated pharmacological treatment within 1 month. NDD was more common in non-White (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.03), obese (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.39 to 2.12), financially stressed patients (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.58). Compared with established diabetes, NDD was independently associated with better disease-specific health status and quality of life (p≤0.04). No significant differences were found in unadjusted in-hospital mortality and complications between NDD and established or no diabetes.

Conclusions

NDD was common among adults≤55 years admitted with AMI and was more frequent in non-White, obese, financially stressed individuals. Under 20% of patients with NDD received discharge diagnosis or initiated discharge diabetes education or pharmacological treatment within 1 month post-AMI. NDD was not associated with increased risk of worse short-term health status compared with risk noted for established diabetes.

Trial registration number

NCT00597922.

Association of Diabetes Mellitus With Health Status Outcomes in Young Women and Men After Acute Myocardial Infarction: Results From the VIRGO Study

Background Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, little is known about the association of diabetes mellitus with post-AMI health status outcomes (symptoms, functioning, and quality of life) in younger adults. Methods and Results We investigated the association between diabetes mellitus and health status during the first 12 months after AMI, using data from 3501 adults with AMI (42.6% with diabetes mellitus) aged 18 to 55 years enrolled in the VIRGO (Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on Outcomes of Young AMI Patients) study. Health status was measured with Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ), 12-item Short-Form Health Survey, and EuroQol-Visual Analogue Scale at baseline hospitalization, 1-month, and 12-months post-AMI. At baseline, patients with diabetes mellitus had significantly worse SAQ-angina frequency (81±22 versus 86±19), SAQ-physical limitations (77±28 versus 85±23), SAQ-quality of life (55±25 versus 57±23), 12-item Short-Form Health Survey mental (44±13 versus 46±12)/physical functioning (41±12 versus 46±12), and EuroQol-Visual Analogue Scale (61±22 versus 66±21) than those without diabetes mellitus. Over time, both groups (with and without diabetes mellitus) improved considerably and the differences in health status scores progressively narrowed (except for 12-item Short-Form Health Survey physical functioning). In the linear-mixed effects models, adjusted for sociodemographics, cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities, clinical characteristics, psychosocial factors, healthcare use, and AMI treatment, diabetes mellitus was associated with worse health status at baseline but not after discharge, and the association did not vary by sex. Conclusions At baseline, young adults with diabetes mellitus had poorer health status than those without diabetes mellitus. After AMI, however, they experienced significant improvements and diabetes mellitus was not associated with worse angina, SAQ-physical limitations, mental functioning, and quality of life, after adjustment for baseline covariates. Clinical Trial Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/. Unique identifier: NCT00597922.

Detection of glucose metabolism disorders in coronary patients enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation: Is glycated haemoglobin useful? Data from the prospective REHABDIAB study

Introduction

Diabetes and pre-diabetes are highly prevalent in patients with a history of acute coronary syndrome. This is why screening for glucose metabolism disorders is recommended in patients following an acute coronary syndrome. The aim of our study was to determine whether glycated haemoglobin alone compared with the oral glucose tolerance test could allow effective screening for glucose metabolism disorders in acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation.

Patients and methods

Among 347 patients with a recent history of acute coronary syndrome enrolled in our cardiac rehabilitation centre, 267 patients without previously known diabetes were recruited for this prospective study with performance of both oral glucose tolerance test and glycated haemoglobin measurement. The patients were divided into three groups: newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus, pre-diabetes and normoglycaemia according to the oral glucose tolerance test and glycated haemoglobin results. The results obtained with glycated haemoglobin were compared with those obtained with the oral glucose tolerance test, considered as the reference.

Results

For the diagnosis of diabetes, glycated haemoglobin had a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 100%. Positive and negative predictive values were high at 100% and 96%, respectively. However, for the diagnosis of pre-diabetes the sensitivity of glycated haemoglobin was low at 64% as were the specificity (53%) and the positive predictive values (37%). Glycated haemoglobin overdiagnosed pre-diabetes (52% vs 30%, p < 0.0001). For the diagnosis of normoglycaemia, the sensitivity of glycated haemoglobin was also low (48%).

Conclusion

According to our study, glycated haemoglobin has low sensitivity and specificity for the detection of pre-diabetes in patients with coronary disease enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation, and glycated haemoglobin over-diagnoses pre-diabetes in comparison with the oral glucose tolerance test.

Long-term Prognosis and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus Detected after First Acute Myocardial Infarction: from KAMIR-NIH Registry

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

After the first acute myocardial infarction (AMI), a considerable proportion of patients are newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM). However, in AMI, controversy remains regarding the disparity in prognosis between previously diagnosed DM (known-DM) and newly diagnosed DM (new-DM).

METHODS

The study included 10,455 patients with AMI (non-DM, 6,236; new-DM, 659; known-DM, 3,560) admitted to one of 15 participating centers in Korea between November 2011 and January 2016 (average follow-up, 523 days). We compared the characteristics and clinical course of patients with known-DM and those with new- or non-DM.

RESULTS

Compared to patients with known-DM, those with new-DM or non-DM were younger, more likely to be male, and less likely to have hypertension, dyslipidemia, prior stroke, angina, or myocardial infarction. Compared to patients with new-DM or non-DM (reference), those with known-DM had higher risks of major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio [HR], 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.35; p=0.004), cardiac death (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.01-1.57; p=0.042), and congestive heart failure (HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.20-2.08). Unlike known-DM, new-DM did not increase the risk of cardiac events (including death).

CONCLUSIONS

Known-DM was associated with a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular events after AMI, while new-DM had a similar risk of cardiac events as that noted for non-DM. There were different cardiovascular outcomes according to diabetes status in patients with AMI.

A systematic review and meta-regression of temporal trends in the excess mortality associated with diabetes mellitus after myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

It is not well known whether the gap in outcomes after myocardial infarction (MI) between patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM) has changed over time. We performed a systematic review and metaregression of temporal trends in the excess mortality associated with DM after MI.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed database for studies reporting mortality data according to diabetic status in patients hospitalized for MI or acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We included 139 studies/cohorts for analysis (432,066 diabetic patients and 1,182,108 nondiabetic patients).

RESULTS

When compared to their non-diabetic counterparts, patients with DM had an odds ratio (OR) [95% CI] of 1.66 [1.59-1.74] (P<0.0001) for early mortality, and of 1.86 [1.75-1.97] (P<0.0001) for 6-12months mortality. When all data from the 116 studies reporting early mortality were pooled, there was no significant relationship between calendar year and Log (OR). Likewise, when considering the 61 studies reporting 6-12months mortality, there was no significant relationship between calendar year and Log (OR). Similar to the overall pooled analysis, no significant relationship between inclusion year and Log (OR) for mortality in diabetic patients was observed in sensitivity analyses performed in studies with ST-elevation MI as inclusion criteria, in randomized trials, in studies including >2000 patients, and in studies with DM prevalence >20%.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no evidence for temporal changes in the incremental mortality risk associated with DM in the setting of MI. The improvements in management of MI patients during the last decades have not been associated with a reduction of the gap between diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

Utility of Glycated Hemoglobin for Assessment of Glucose Metabolism in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is an approved and widely used laboratory investigation for diagnosis of diabetes that is not affected by acute changes in blood glucose. Our aim was to analyze the extent to which routine HbA1c measurements diagnose unknown diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We also compared outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed DM, previously established DM and those without DM. Consecutive patients undergoing PCI for STEMI from January 2005 to December 2012 were included and routinely performed admission HbA1c was used to identify patients with previously undiagnosed DM (HbA1c ≥6.5 and no history of DM or DM therapy) and pre-DM (HbA1c 5.7% to 6.4%). Overall 1,686 consecutive patients underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention for STEMI during the study period and follow-up data were available for 1,566 patients (90%). A quarter of the patients (24%, n = 405) had history of DM, 7% (n = 118) had previously undiagnosed DM, and 38.7% (n = 652) had pre-DM. Mortality was comparable in patients with known DM and newly diagnosed DM both in-hospital (11.1% vs 11.9%, p = 0.87) and at 3-year follow-up (27.3% and 24%). Patients with DM, including those who were newly diagnosed, had higher mortality at 3 years (26.5%) compared to those with pre-DM (12.1%) or no dysglycemia (11.2%, p <0.01). In conclusion, a substantial number of patients with STEMI have previously undiagnosed DM (7%). These patients have similar in-hospital and long-term mortality as those with known DM, and outcomes are inferior to patients without dysglycemia.

Impact of the joint association between sex, age and diabetes on long-term mortality after acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The role of sex, and its joint effect with age and diabetes mellitus, on mortality subsequent to surviving an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) beyond 30 days are unclear. The high prevalence of diabetes mellitus in an ethnically diverse Asian population motivates this study.

METHODS

The study population comprised of a nationwide cohort of Asian patients with AMI, hospitalized between 2000 to 2005, who survived the first 30 days post-admission and were followed prospectively until death or 12 years.

RESULTS

Among the 13,389 survivors, there were fewer women (25.5%) who were older than men (median 70 vs. 58 years) and a larger proportion had diabetes mellitus at admission (51.4% vs. 31.4%). During follow-up 4,707 deaths (women 13.2%; men 22.0%) occurred, with women experiencing higher mortality than men with an averaged hazard ratio (HR): 2.08; 95% confidence interval : 1.96-2.20. However the actual adverse outcome, although always greater, reduced over time with an estimated HR: 2.23 (2.04-2.45) at 30 days to HR: 1.75; (1.47-2.09) 12 years later. The difference in mortality also declined with increasing age: HR 1.80 (1.52-2.13) for those aged 22-59, 1.26 (1.11-1.42) for 60-69, 1.06 (0.96-1.17) and 0.96 (0.85-1.09) for those 70-79 and 80-101 years. Significant two-factor interactions were observed between sex, age and diabetes (P < 0.001). Diabetic women <60 years of age had greater mortality than diabetic men of the same age (adjusted HR: 1.44; 1.14-1.84; P = 0.003), while diabetic women and men ≥60 years of age had a less pronounced mortality difference (adjusted HR: 1.12; 0.99-1.26).

CONCLUSIONS

One in two women hospitalized for AMI in this Asian cohort had diabetes and the sex disparity in post-MI mortality was most pronounced among these who were <60 years of age. This underscores the need for better secondary prevention in this high-risk group.

All-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality rates in postmenopausal white, black, Hispanic, and Asian women with and without diabetes in the United States: the Women's Health Initiative, 1993-2009

Using data from the Women's Health Initiative (1993-2009; n = 158,833 participants, of whom 84.1% were white, 9.2% were black, 4.1% were Hispanic, and 2.6% were Asian), we compared all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality rates in white, black, Hispanic, and Asian postmenopausal women with and without diabetes. Cox proportional hazard models were used for the comparison from which hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were computed. Within each racial/ethnic subgroup, women with diabetes had an approximately 2-3 times higher risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality than did those without diabetes. However, the hazard ratios for mortality outcomes were not significantly different between racial/ethnic subgroups. Population attributable risk percentages (PARPs) take into account both the prevalence of diabetes and hazard ratios. For all-cause mortality, whites had the lowest PARP (11.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 10.1, 12.1), followed by Asians (12.9, 95% CI: 4.7, 20.9), blacks (19.4, 95% CI: 15.0, 23.7), and Hispanics (23.2, 95% CI: 14.8, 31.2). To our knowledge, the present study is the first to show that hazard ratios for mortality outcomes were not significantly different between racial/ethnic subgroups when stratified by diabetes status. Because of the "amplifying" effect of diabetes prevalence, efforts to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in the rate of death from diabetes should focus on prevention of diabetes.

Change of energy expenditure from physical activity is the most powerful determinant of improved insulin sensitivity in overweight patients with coronary artery disease participating in an intensive lifestyle modification program

The objective was to evaluate the determinants of change (Δ) in insulin sensitivity in overweight coronary artery disease male patients without diabetes after an intensive lifestyle intervention. All patients received nutritional counseling and performed 4 months of exercise training (ET) according to 1 of 2 protocols: aerobic ET (65%-70% of peak aerobic capacity [VO(2)]) 25 to 40 minutes 3 times a week (n = 30) or walking (50%-60% of peak VO(2)) 45 to 60 minutes at least 5 times a week (n = 30). Data from participants of both ET groups were pooled, and post-intensive lifestyle intervention results were compared with baseline data. The primary outcome was Δ insulin sensitivity (m-value) assessed by the criterion standard technique, the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. Changes in weight, body mass index, total and percentage fat mass (by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan), waist circumference, total abdominal and visceral fat (by computed tomographic scan), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, peak VO(2), daily energy intake, and physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) (by doubly labeled water technique) were also assessed. Daily energy intake decreased by 335 kcal, and PAEE increased by 482 kcal/d (all P < .0001). The mean weight loss was 6.4 kg, and the mean improvement in m-value was 1.6 mg/kg fat-free mass per minute. Univariate determinants of Δ m-value were low baseline PAEE, walking protocol, Δ weight, Δ body mass index, Δ total and percentage fat mass, Δ waist circumference, Δ total abdominal and visceral fat, and Δ PAEE (all P < .05). In multivariate analysis, the only significant determinant of Δ m-value was Δ PAEE (P < .02). In this analysis, the most powerful determinant of improved insulin sensitivity in overweight coronary artery disease patients is the change in PAEE.

The treatment of obesity in cardiac rehabilitation

Obesity is an independent risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). At entry into cardiac rehabilitation (CR), more than 80% of patients are overweight and more than 50% have the metabolic syndrome. Yet, CR programs do not generally include weight loss programs as a programmatic component and weight loss outcomes in CR have been abysmal. A recently published study outlines a template for weight reduction based on a combination of behavioral weight loss counseling and an approach to exercise that maximized exercise-related caloric expenditure. This approach to exercise optimally includes walking as the primary exercise modality and eventually requires almost daily longer-distance exercise to maximize caloric expenditure. In addition, lifestyle activities such as stair climbing and avoidance of energy-saving devices should be incorporated into the daily routine. Risk factor benefits of weight loss and exercise training in overweight CHD patients are broad and compelling. Improvements in insulin resistance, lipid profiles, blood pressure, clotting abnormalities, endothelial-dependent vasodilatory capacity, and measures of inflammation such as C-reactive protein have all been demonstrated. Cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention programs can no longer ignore the challenge of obesity management in CHD patients. Individual programs need to develop clinically effective and culturally sensitive approaches to weight control. Finally, multicenter randomized clinical trials of weight loss in CHD patients with assessment of long-term clinical outcomes need to be performed.

Impact of diabetes mellitus on outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction and systolic heart failure

AIMS

To determine independent associations of diabetes mellitus with outcomes in a propensity-matched cohort of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and systolic heart failure (HF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

In the Eplerenone Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure Efficacy and Survival Study (EPHESUS) trial, hospitalized AMI patients complicated by left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% and symptoms of HF receiving standard therapy were randomized 3-14 days post-AMI to receive eplerenone 25-50 mg/day (n = 3319) or placebo (n = 3313). Of the 6632 patients, 2142 (32%) had a history of diabetes, who were older and sicker. Using propensity scores for diabetes, we assembled a cohort of 1119 pairs of patients with and without diabetes who were balanced on 64 baseline characteristics. Incident fatal or nonfatal recurrent AMI occurred in 136 (12%) and 87 (8%) of matched patients with and without diabetes, respectively, during 2.5 years of follow-up [hazard ratio (HR) when diabetes was compared with no-diabetes, 1.61; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23-2.10; P = 0.001]. Diabetes was associated with nonfatal AMI (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.23-2.31; P = 0.001) but not with fatal AMI (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 0.88-2.28; P = 0.146). Hazard ratios (95% CIs) for the association of diabetes with all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, all-cause hospitalization, and cardiovascular hospitalization were 1.12 (0.93-1.37; P = 0.224), 1.11 (0.90-1.37; P = 0.318), 1.13 (1.00-1.27; P = 0.054), and 1.20 (1.01-1.44; P = 0.042), respectively.

CONCLUSION

In post-AMI patients with systolic HF, diabetes mellitus is a significant independent risk factor for recurrent short-term nonfatal AMI, but had no association with fatal AMI.

Gender-Specific short and long-term mortality in diabetic versus nondiabetic patients with incident acute myocardial infarction in the reperfusion era (the MONICA/KORA Myocardial Infarction Registry)

The aim of this study was to investigate gender-specific short- and long-term mortalities after a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). The study was based on 505 men and 196 women with DM and 1,327 men and 415 women without DM consecutively hospitalized with a first-ever AMI from January 1998 to December 2003 recruited from a population-based MI registry. Patients were followed until December 31, 2005 (median follow-up time 4.3 years). In men and women, no significantly independent association between DM and short-term mortality was observed. After multivariable adjustment odds ratios (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for 28-day case fatality were 1.45 (95% CI 0.90 to 2.34) in men with DM compared to men without DM and 1.44 (95% CI 0.66 to 3.15) in women with DM compared to women without DM. Conversely, in 28-day AMI survivors DM was significantly associated with long-term mortality in age-adjusted analyses, in which men with DM had a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.57 (95% CI 1.18 to 2.10) for all-cause mortality compared to non-DM men; the corresponding HR in women with DM was 2.91 (95% CI 1.82 to 4.65). After multivariable adjustment the strong association in women with DM remained significant (HR 2.56, 95% CI 1.53 to 4.27); however, in men with DM it became borderline significant (HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.85). In conclusion, short-term mortality was not significantly increased in men and women with DM after a first-ever AMI, although estimates were relatively high, indicating a possible relation. However, long-term mortality was higher in patients with AMI and DM, particularly in women.

Trends of hospitalizations, fatality rate and costs for acute myocardial infarction among Spanish diabetic adults, 2001-2006

Background

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the more frequent reasons diabetic patients are admitted to hospital, and there are reports that the long-term prognosis after an AMI is much worse in these patients than in non-diabetic patients. This study aims to compare hospital admissions and costs in Spanish diabetic and non-diabetic subjects due to AMI during the period 2001-2006.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of 6 years of national hospitalization data associated with diabetes using the Minimum Basic Data Set. National hospitalization rates were calculated for AMI among diabetic and non-diabetic adults. Fatality rates, mean hospital stay and direct medical costs related to hospitalization were analyzed. Costs were calculated using Diagnosis-Related Groups for AMI in diabetics and non-diabetics patients.

Results

During the study period, a total of 307,099 patients with AMI were admitted to Spanish hospitals. Diabetic patients made up 29.6% of the total. The estimated incidence due to AMI in diabetics increased from 54.7 cases per 100,000 in 2001 to 64.1 in 2006. Diabetic patients had significantly higher mortality than nondiabetic patients after adjusting for age, gender, and year (OR 1.11 [95% CI, 1.08-1.14]). The cost among diabetic patients increased by 21.3% from 2001 to 2006.

Conclusions

Diabetic patients have higher rates of hospital admission and fatality rates during the hospitalization after an AMI than nondiabetic patients. Diabetic adults who have suffered an AMI have a greater than expected increase in direct hospital costs over the period 2001-2006.

Impact of diabetes and gender on survival after acute myocardial infarction in the Province of Quebec, Canada--a population-based study

AIMS

To examine the impact of diabetes, gender and their interaction on 30-day, 1-year and 5-year post-acute myocardial infarction (AMI) mortality in three age groups (20-64, 65-74 and > or = 75 years).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis including 23 700 patients aged > or = 20 years (22% with diabetes) admitted to hospital for a first AMI in any hospital in the Province of Quebec, Canada, between April 1995 and March 1997. Administrative databases were used to identify patients and assess outcomes.

RESULTS

Regarding 30-day mortality, there was non-significant interaction between diabetes and gender. Women aged < 75 years had, independently of diabetes status, at least a 38% (P < 0.05) higher mortality than their male counterparts after adjustment for socio-economic status and co-morbid conditions. Gender difference disappeared, however, after controlling for in-hospital complications. Regarding 1-year mortality (31-365 days), there was no significant gender disparity for all age groups. During the 5-year follow-up, no gender differences were seen in any age group, except for younger (< 65 years) women with diabetes, who had a 52% (P = 0.004) higher mortality than men after controlling for co-variables. This female disadvantage was demonstrated by a significant interaction between diabetes and gender in patients aged < 65 years (P = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

The higher 30-day mortality post-AMI in younger (20-64 years) and middle-aged (65-74 years) women compared with men was not influenced by diabetes status. However, during the 5-year follow-up, the similar gender mortality observed in patients without diabetes seemed to disappear in younger patients with diabetes, which may be explained by the deleterious, long-term, post-AMI impact of diabetes in younger women.

Effect of enoxaparin versus unfractionated heparin in diabetic patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction in the Enoxaparin and Thrombolysis Reperfusion for Acute Myocardial Infarction Treatment-Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction study 25 (ExTRACT-TIMI 25) trial

BACKGROUND

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at higher risk for complications after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) than patients without DM. Potent antithrombotic therapies may offer particular benefit for these high-risk patients and must be balanced against the potential for increased bleeding.

METHODS

We performed a prospectively planned analysis of efficacy and safety in patients with DM among 20,479 patients with STEMI treated with fibrinolysis and randomized to a strategy of enoxaparin (up to 8 days) or unfractionated heparin (UFH) (48 hours) in ExTRACT-TIMI 25.

RESULTS

Patients with DM (n = 3060) were older and more likely to be women and to present with heart failure (P < .0001 for each) than those without DM. After adjustment for the TIMI Risk Score, sex, and renal function, patients with DM were at 30% higher risk for death or myocardial infarction (MI) by 30 days (OR(adj) 1.29, 95% CI 1.14-1.46). Among patients with DM, the enoxaparin strategy reduced mortality (9.5% vs 11.8%, relative risk [RR] 0.81, 95% CI 0.66-0.99), death/MI (13.6% vs 17.1%, RR 0.80; 95% CI 0.67-0.94), and death/MI/urgent revascularization (16.0% vs 19.7%, RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.70-0.94). The enoxaparin strategy was associated with a trend toward higher major bleeding (2.6% vs 1.6%, RR 1.63, 95% CI 0.99-2.69). Taking efficacy and safety into account, the enoxaparin strategy offered superior net clinical benefit (death/MI/major bleed, 14.8% vs 18.0%, RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.70-0.97) compared with UFH in patients with DM.

CONCLUSIONS

In a subgroup analysis, a reperfusion strategy including enoxaparin significantly improved outcomes compared with UFH among high-risk STEMI patients with DM undergoing fibrinolysis.

Short- and long-term mortality after acute myocardial infarction: comparison of patients with and without diabetes mellitus

Aims To compare short- and long-term mortality after a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with and without diabetes mellitus. Methods and results A nationwide cohort of 2,018 diabetic and 19,547 nondiabetic patients with a first hospitalized AMI in 1995 was identified through linkage of the national hospital discharge register and the population register. Follow-up for mortality lasted until the end of 2000. At 28 days and 5 years respectively, absolute mortality risks were 18 and 53% in diabetic men, 12 and 31% in nondiabetic men, 22 and 58% in diabetic women, and 19 and 42% in nondiabetic women. Crude mortality was significantly higher in diabetic patients than in nondiabetic patients in both men (28-day hazard ratio (HR) 1.55; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32–1.81, 5-year HR 2.01; 95% CI 1.84–2.21) and women (28-day HR 1.19; 95% CI 1.03–1.37, 5-year HR 1.53; 95% CI 1.40–1.67). After multivariate adjustment, risk differences became nonsignificant at 28 days, but diabetes was still associated with a significantly higher long-term mortality in both men (28-day HR 1.16; 95% CI 0.99–1.36, 5-year HR 1.49; 95% CI 1.36–1.64) and women (28-day HR 1.12; 95% CI 0.97–1.28, 5-year HR 1.39; 95% CI 1.27–1.52). The interaction between diabetes mellitus and gender did not reach significance in the analyses. Conclusion Our findings in an unselected cohort covering a complete nation show a significantly higher long-term mortality after a first acute myocardial infarction in diabetic patients. Yet, short-term mortality is not significantly higher in diabetic patients. Risks appear to be equally elevated in men and women.

Gender Differences in Outcomes Among Patients With Symptomatic Intracranial Arterial Stenosis

Background and Purpose— There are limited and conflicting data on gender differences in clinical outcomes among patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis. This study examined gender differences in patients enrolled in the Warfarin-Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease (WASID) Study.

Methods— Participants were 569 men and women with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis. They were followed-up for the occurrence of ischemic stroke and the combined end point of stroke or vascular death from February 1999 through July 2003 (mean follow-up, 1.8 years).

Results— Two-year rates of the primary end point were 28.4% and 16.6% for women and men, respectively. Cumulative probabilities of the outcomes over time were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method and were compared between men and women with the use of the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to estimate the hazard ratio of gender (women to men) for ischemic stroke and for the primary end point. The probabilities of ischemic stroke ( P =0.005) and of the combined end point of stroke or vascular death ( P =0.017) over time were significantly higher in women than men. Women had a greater multivariate-adjusted risk for ischemic stroke (HR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.14 to 3.01; P =0.013) and for the combined end point of stroke or vascular death (HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.01 to 2.48; P =0.045).

Conclusions— Women with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis are at significantly greater risk for ischemic stroke and for the combined end point of stroke or vascular death. These findings suggest the need for vigorous screening of risk factors and for aggressive management of risk factors and stroke in women. They also suggest the need to ensure adequate numbers of women in clinical trials designed to explore new and promising therapies for intracranial arterial stenosis.

Predictors of in-hospital mortality difference between male and female patients with acute myocardial infarction

Many studies have demonstrated that, compared with men, women have increased long- and short-term mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The reasons for this mortality difference remain in dispute. We analyzed baseline characteristics, in-hospital management, and short-term outcomes of 1,246 men and 537 women with AMI to identify clinical variables that can predict the in-hospital mortality difference between genders. A higher in-hospital mortality was found in women with AMI than in men (11.9% vs 6.9%, p <0.001). Women were generally older, had a higher incidence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia, and had a higher Killip class of cardiac function compared with men. Reperfusion therapy and beta-receptor blockers were underused in women. Using a multivariate logistic regression model, we identified age, history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, Killip class of cardiac function, and administration of reperfusion therapy and beta-receptor blockers as significant predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with AMI, with odds ratios of 1.05 (95% confidence interval [CI] approximately 1.03 to 1.07), 1.65 (95% CI 1.12 to 2.41), 1.92 (95% CI 1.27 to 2.90), 3.62 (95% CI 2.88 to 4.56), 0.39 (95% CI 0.24 to 0.66), and 0.63 (95% CI 0.43 to 0.93), respectively. In conclusion, women with AMI had a higher in-hospital mortality rate than did men, probably due to older age, higher incidence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia, a higher Killip class of cardiac function, and less utilization of reperfusion therapy and beta-receptor blockers.

The role of sex in cardiac function and disease

In the past decade, increasing attention has been paid to the importance of sex in the etiology of cardiac dysfunction. While focus has been primarily on how sex modulates atherogenesis, it is becoming clear that sex is both a predictor of outcome and an independent risk factor for a number of other cardiac diseases. Animal models and human studies have begun to shed light on the mechanisms by which sex influences the function of cardiomyocytes in health and disease. This review will survey the current literature on cardiac diseases that are influenced by sex and discuss the intracellular mechanisms by which steroid sex hormones affect heart function. A theory on how sex may regulate myocardial energy metabolism to affect disease susceptibility and progression will be presented, as well as a discussion of how sex may influence outcomes of experiments on isolated cardiomyocytes by epigenetic marking.

Impact of Age on the Outcomes of Women Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the Bare-Metal Stent Era

AIM

Advanced age and female gender are both independent predictors of early and late mortality and adverse cardiac outcomes for patients undergoing balloon angioplasty. Elderly women are at particular risk. Stenting is now the standard of care in PCI. Whether elderly women remain at increased risk after PCI in the current stent era has not been examined widely.

METHODS

Prospective data were collected in 400 consecutive female patients undergoing PCI at a tertiary cardiac center (1999-2003). Follow-up was done at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months by clinic visits, telephonic interviews, and reviewing hospital records. Follow-up was complete in 396 patients.

RESULTS

Compared to young women (<65 years old), elderly women (>65 years old) were less likely to smoke (15.7% vs 47.2%, P = 0.001), less likely to have diabetes (4.1% vs 8.5%, P = 0.05), and had more multivessel coronary artery disease. Usage of stent was high, similar in both groups. Hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, previous MI, vessels treated, abciximab usage, and access site bleeding were similar in both groups. Procedural success (96% vs 98%) and in-hospital and 1-year MACE (23.1% vs 25%) are similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Elderly women undergoing PCI have a distinct profile presenting with more multivessel disease, less smoking, and are less likely to have diabetes than younger women. In the current stent era, procedural success, in-hospital adverse cardiac events, and MACE at 1 year are similar in both groups. At 1 year, however, elderly women are less likely to have ischemia-driven TVR and recurrence of angina.

Does diabetes mellitus abolish the beneficial effect of primary coronary angioplasty on long-term risk of reinfarction after acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction compared with fibrinolysis? (A DANAMI-2 substudy)

Little is known about the effect of diabetes mellitus on long-term clinical outcome after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) compared with fibrinolysis in patients who have acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. We analyzed 3-year clinical outcome in diabetic patients and nondiabetic patients who had been randomized to fibrinolysis or pPCI in the DANAMI-2 trial to compare long-term clinical outcome. The primary end point was a composite of death, clinical reinfarction, or disabling stroke. Median follow-up was 3.8 years. Among 1,572 consecutive patients who had ST-elevation myocardial infarction and were randomized to pPCI or fibrinolysis, 173 (11.0%) had diabetes mellitus; 60 of these patients received metformin treatment and were excluded. After 3 years no difference was found between diabetic patients who underwent pPCI versus fibrinolysis (combined event p=0.37, reinfarction p=0.06 in favor of fibrinolysis), whereas pPCI was superior to fibrinolysis in nondiabetic patients (combined event p=0.002, clinical reinfarction p<0.001). Three-year incidence of clinical reinfarction analyzed with Cox's regression showed that pPCI compared with fibrinolysis increased the relative risk of clinical reinfarction in diabetic patients (relative risk 2.57, 95% confidence interval 1.48 to 4.46, p <0.001) but decreased the risk in nondiabetic patients (relative risk 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.36 to 0.74, p<0.001). In conclusion, from the DANAMI-2 trial we hypothesize that diabetes may abolish the beneficial effect of pPCI on long-term risk of clinical reinfarction.

Diabetes mellitus: clinical presentation and outcome in men and women with acute coronary syndromes. Data from the Euro Heart Survey ACS

AIMS

To study clinical presentation, in-hospital course and short-term prognosis in men and women with diabetes mellitus and acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

METHODS

Men (n = 6488, 21.2% with diabetes) and 2809 women (28.7% with diabetes) < or = 80 years old, with a discharge diagnosis of ACS were prospectively enrolled in the Euro Heart Survey of ACS.

RESULTS

Women with diabetes were more likely to present with ST elevation than non-diabetic women, a difference that became more marked after adjustment for differences in smoking, hypertension, obesity, medication and prior disease [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.46 (1.20, 1.78)], whereas there was little difference between diabetic and non-diabetic men [adjusted OR 0.99 (0.86, 1.14)]. In addition, women with diabetes were more likely to develop Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI) than non-diabetic women [adjusted OR 1.61 (1.30, 1.99)], while there was no difference between men with and without diabetes [adjusted OR 0.99 (0.85, 1.15)]. There were significant interactions between sex, diabetes and presenting with ST-elevation ACS (P < 0.001), and Q-wave MI (P < 0.001), respectively. Of the women with diabetes, 7.4% died in hospital, compared with 3.6% of non-diabetic women [adjusted OR 2.13 (1.39, 3.26)], whereas corresponding mortality rates in men with and without diabetes were 4.1% and 3.3%, respectively [OR 1.13 (0.76, 1.67)] (P for diabetes-sex interaction 0.021).

CONCLUSION

In women with ACS, diabetes is associated with higher risk of presenting with ST-elevation ACS, developing Q-wave MI, and of in-hospital mortality, whereas in men with ACS diabetes is not significantly associated with increased risk of either. These findings suggest a differential effect of diabetes on the pathophysiology of ACS based on the patient's sex.

Newly Diagnosed and Previously Known Diabetes Mellitus and 1-Year Outcomes of Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

A prior diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is associated with adverse outcomes after acute myocardial infarction (MI), but the risk associated with a new diagnosis of diabetes in this setting has not been well defined.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We assessed the risk of death and major cardiovascular events associated with previously known and newly diagnosed diabetes by studying 14,703 patients with acute MI enrolled in the VALsartan In Acute myocardial iNfarcTion (VALIANT) trial. Patients were grouped by diabetic status: previously known diabetes (insulin use or diagnosis of diabetes before MI, n=3400, 23%); newly diagnosed diabetes (use of diabetic therapy or diabetes diagnosed at randomization [median 4.9 d after infarction], but no known diabetes at presentation, n=580, 4%); or no diabetes (n=10,719). Patients with newly diagnosed diabetes were younger and had fewer comorbid conditions than did patients with previously known diabetes. At 1 year after enrollment, patients with previously known and newly diagnosed diabetes had similarly increased adjusted risks of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29 to 1.59 and HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.85, respectively) and cardiovascular events (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.27 to 1.48 and HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.56).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes mellitus, whether newly diagnosed or previously known, is associated with poorer long-term outcomes after MI in high-risk patients. The poor prognosis of patients with newly diagnosed diabetes, despite having baseline characteristics similar to those of patients without diabetes, supports the idea that metabolic abnormalities contribute to their adverse outcomes.

The prevalence of coronary heart disease in Type 2 diabetic patients in Italy: the DAI study

AIMS

Type 2 diabetes is associated with at least a twofold increase in risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). We aimed to estimate the prevalence of CHD in the population of Type 2 diabetics cared for by the Italian network of outpatient diabetic units.

METHODS

The DAI (Diabetes and Informatics study group, Italian Association of Diabetologists, and Italian National Institute of Health) study is a multicentre cohort study of patients with Type 2 diabetes. Patients were classified as having CHD if they had: (i) a history for hospital admission for either an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or angina; (ii) a positive ECG for prior AMI or angina; (iii) a positive history for coronary artery bypass graft; or (iv) a positive history for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

RESULTS

A cohort of 19 468 patients was analysed: 3157 patients had CHD. The majority of events (80%) had occurred after the diagnosis of diabetes and were considered in the CHD prevalence estimate. The prevalence of CHD, adjusted by age and sex, was 9.9%: 11.0% male and 9.0% female. Angina without AMI occurred in 1306 patients; this condition was more frequent in females while a documented AMI was more frequent in males. Therapeutic procedures were performed more frequently in males. A positive association with CHD was found for gender, age at visit, duration of diabetes, hypertension, relatives with CHD, tryglicerides and microvascular complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of CHD in this cohort is lower than previously reported; nevertheless, patients attending the diabetic care units may not be fully representative of the general diabetic population in Italy. Revascularization is less frequent in females than in males; microvascular complications and a worse metabolic control are significantly associated with CHD.

Comparison of differences in outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention in men versus women <40 years of age

We evaluated the outcomes of 177 consecutive patients (43 women, 134 men) <40 years of age with premature atherosclerosis who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Women were younger, had more diabetes mellitus (37% vs 10%; p <0.001), but less hyperlipidemia (58% vs 75%; p <0.001) compared with men. In-hospital vascular complications and 1-year mortality rate or Q-wave myocardial infarction (7.9% vs 0.08%, p <0.01) were higher in women. By multivariable regression analysis, female gender was the only independent predictor of vascular complications (odds ratio, 14.1; 95% confidence intervals, 1.59 to 125, p = 0.01) and of 1-year mortality rate or nonfatal myocardial infarction (odds ratio, 12.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.14 to 111, p = 0.03). Women with premature coronary disease had a distinctive risk factor profile relative to men, with a predominance of diabetes and hypercholesterolemia, and were at higher risk of developing vascular and ischemic complications after percutaneous coronary intervention, warranting aggressive risk factor modification and vigilance in this population.

Preventing cardiovascular disease in diabetes and glucose intolerance: evidence and implications for care

With the increased attention being given to cardiovascular risk factor reduction, the opportunity exists to substantially decrease the largest cause of mortality in diabetic patients. The concept that type 2 diabetes and CVD are linked via a common etiologic pathway (metabolic syndrome) has substantial ramifications for the care of individual patients. Many of the metabolic abnormalities that contribute to both glycemic disorders and CVD are interrelated. For example, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance coupled with abdominal obesity further worsens HTN and hyperlipidemia. Likewise, the procoagulant state and endothelial dysfunction increase with worsening glycemic control. Specific interventions include tobacco cessation, a food management and physical activity plan, choice of antidiabetic agent (such as metformin), and use of ACE inhibitors for hypertension and microalbuminuria (Table 5). Programs to enhance cardiovascular risk factor reduction as part of the comprehensive evaluation and management of diabetic patients have been described [95,99]. One community-based program provided free screening to diabetic patients with randomization to either annotated result reports provided to the patient and their physician or results provided by a project nurse (either face-to-face or over the phone). Greater improvements in mean glycohemoglobin, cholesterol, and blood pressure were noted with verbal presentation of results [99]. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Diabetes Cost-effectiveness Group support the idea that interventions to decrease CVD in diabetics are economically beneficial. Intensive management of hypertension, glycemic control, and hyperlipidemia each improved health outcomes. Hypertension control reduced costs. Although intensive treatment of glucose and hyperlipidemia increased costs, the increase was comparable to that of other frequently used health care interventions [100]. Further directions include further exploration of the implications and management of metabolic syndrome as it relates to CVD prevention. Interventions such as exercise, which can impact on all outcomes, require special attention. Efforts by physicians, health systems, and society are necessary to increase physical activity for individuals of all ages. It makes clinical sense that the recommendations for prevention of CVD in diabetics described in this article may also benefit patients with prediabetes (fasting glucose 110-125 mg/dl), but this remains to be definitively shown.

Increased hospital expenditures in diabetic patients hospitalized for cardiovascular diseases

OBJECTIVES

To measure the impact of diabetes on hospital resource use and expenditures in patients hospitalized for cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted an observational study of 4865 hospitalizations for CVD over 2 years (January 1998 to December 1999). Information with respect of the presence of diabetes mellitus, length of stay, readmissions, mortality, and costs were obtained through retrospective chart review.

RESULTS

Diabetic patients accounted for 35.1% of hospital admissions (1706 admissions), 40.8% of hospital stays (23,309 days), and 39% of direct medical cost (5,735,884 euros). On average, diabetic patients had longer hospital stay (13.6+/-13.2 vs. 10.7+/-11.2 days; P<.001) and direct in-patient cost (3438+/-4308 vs. 2513+/-3384 euros; P<.001) and experienced more readmissions (relative risk: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.45-1.91) compared with nondiabetic patients. However, despite the hospital mortality rate being higher in nondiabetic patients (6.3% vs. 5.8%), these results were not statistically significant (relative risk: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.86-1.40).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetic patients hospitalized for CVD have longer hospital stay, greater risk of short-term readmission, and are more costly than nondiabetic patients. However, in-hospital mortality risk in patients hospitalized by CVD is no greater in diabetic than in nondiabetics.

Sex differences in survival after acute myocardial infarction in patients with diabetes mellitus (Worcester Heart Attack Study)

BACKGROUND

Women with diabetes mellitus are at particularly high risk for coronary heart disease-related morbidity and mortality compared with men with diabetes mellitus. However, recent data comparing hospital and long-term outcomes in women with diabetes mellitus and men hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are scarce. The objectives of our multi-hospital observational study were to examine sex differences and temporal trends (1975-99) in hospital and long-term case-fatality rates (CFRs) in patients with diabetes mellitus and AMI from a population-based perspective.

METHODS

A community-wide study of residents of the Worcester, Mass, metropolitan area who were hospitalized with confirmed AMI was conducted. Data were collected in 12 1-year periods between 1975 and 1999. The study sample consisted of 1354 men and 1280 women with diabetes mellitus.

RESULTS

Overall hospital CFRs were significantly greater for women with diabetes mellitus (21.3%) than for men with diabetes mellitus (14.9%). Between 1975 and 1999, hospital CFRs declined from 39.2% to 17.5% for women and from 18.9% to 9.5% in men. In examining long-term survival patterns for as long as 10 years after hospital discharge, there were no significant sex differences in long-term survival rates after adjustment for a limited number of known potentially confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital death rates after AMI in men and women with diabetes mellitus have declined in the last 2 decades. The gap in hospital CFRs between men and women with diabetes mellitus has decreased considerably with time, although women have a higher risk of dying after AMI than men. Patients with diabetes mellitus continue to represent a high-risk group who will benefit from enhanced surveillance efforts and increased use of effective cardiac treatments.

Pulse pressure as a risk factor for peripheral vascular disease in type 2 diabetic patients

This study examined whether pulse pressure (PP) could be an independent predictor and associated with severity of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in 396 type 2 diabetic patients (143 men and 253 women, aged 64.1 +/- 11.2 years). Peripheral vascular disease was diagnosed by an ankle-brachial index (ABI) < 0.90 and as severe PVD if ABI < 0.80. Association was evaluated before and after adjustment for age, sex, diabetes duration, hypertension, smoking, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), usage of insulin, and usage of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB); and for systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP), respectively. Results showed that PP increased from no (n = 348) to mild (n = 25) and severe (n = 23) PVD (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.001; multiple comparisons, p < 0.05 for any two groups). The PP increase from no to mild PVD was due to SBP increase; while further increase to severe PVD was due to both DBP drop and an even higher SBP. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for PVD for every 1-mmHg PP increment was 1.035 (1.012-1.058). When PP was categorized as tertiles (< 50, 50-59 and > or = 60 mmHg), respective AOR for PVD for second and third vs. first tertile was 2.605 (1.008-6.729) and 2.835 (1.123-7.156). Pulse pressure was also predictive for ABI independent of the effects of the confounders and the other parameters of blood pressure. In conclusion, PP was an independent predictor and correlated with severity of PVD in type 2 diabetic patients.

Management and short-term outcome of diabetic patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction: results of a nationwide French survey

OBJECTIVES

To compare management and short-term outcome of diabetic and non-diabetic patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction.

METHODS

This was a prospective epidemiological survey. All patients admitted in coronary care units in France in November 2000 for confirmed acute myocardial infarction were eligible to enter the study.

RESULTS

Of the 2320 patients recruited from 369 centers, 487 were diabetic (21%). Compared to non-diabetic patients, diabetic patients were 5 years older, more often female, obese and hypertensive; they had more often a history of cardiovascular disease; they had a lower ejection fraction and worse Killip class. Reperfusion therapy was less frequent among diabetic patients (39% versus 51%; p=0.0001), as was the use of beta-blockers (61% versus 72%; p=0.0001), aspirin (83% versus 89%; p=0.0001) and statins (52% versus 60%; p=0.001) during hospitalization. Conversely, the use of ACE-inhibitors was more frequent (54% versus 44%; p=0.0001). 58% of diabetic patients received insulin during hospitalization. Twenty-eight-day mortality was 13.1% in diabetic patients and 7.0% in non-diabetic patients (risk ratio: 1.87; p=0.001). Diabetes remained associated with increased mortality after adjustment for relevant risk factors including age and ejection fraction (risk ratio: 1.51; p=0.07). In patients treated with antidiabetic drugs (chiefly sulfonylureas) before admission, 28-day mortality was 10.4% compared with 19.9% in diabetic patients on diet alone or untreated (p=0.005).

CONCLUSION

Despite higher cardiovascular risk and worse prognosis, in-hospital management of diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction remains sub-optimal. Patients previously treated with antidiabetic drugs including sulfonylureas had a better prognosis than untreated diabetic patients.

Hospital discharge records under-report the prevalence of diabetes in inpatients

The objective of our study was to estimate the hospital inpatient prevalence of diabetes mellitus in a Spanish tertiary care teaching hospital. We analyzed a cohort of 1036 patients consecutively admitted over a 7-day period to our hospital. We classified this total of hospitalized patients based on information obtained from individual analysis of medical history and values of plasma glucose after fasting, into groups with the following conditions: recognized diabetes, unrecognized diabetes, other hyperglycaemic situations, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or non diabetes. One hundred and seventy-eight patients were estimated to have diabetes (total prevalence: 17.2%), including 158 patients with recognized diabetes and 20 patients with diabetes unrecognized before admission. Additionally, 25 patients were considered to have other hyperglycaemic situations and 20 patients were estimated to have IFG. The mean age of the diabetic patients was 65+/-13.7 years (50.5% men), and 94.4% had type 2 diabetes. Diabetes disproportionately affects the elderly inpatient, with a prevalence of 30.9% in people older than 64 years. Of the total number of patients with diabetes, only 144 (diabetes prevalence: 13.8%) were registered in hospital discharge records as having diabetes. We conclude that the extent of hospital diabetes prevalence considerably exceeds levels reported in the literature, suggesting that true diabetes prevalence in hospitals could be significantly under-reported, resulting in a serious underestimate of required expenditures.

Cardiac Outcomes After Myocardial Infarction in Elderly Patients With Diabetes Mellitus

• Objective To examine the association between (1) comorbid conditions related to diabetes mellitus, clinical findings on arrival at the hospital, and characteristics of the myocardial infarction and (2) risk of heart failure, recurrent myocardial infarction, and mortality in the year after myocardial infarction in elderly 30-day survivors of myocardial infarction who had non–insulin- or insulin-treated diabetes.

• Methods Medical records for June 1, 1992, through February 28, 1993, of Medicare beneficiaries (n = 1698), 65 years or older, hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction in Connecticut were reviewed by trained abstractors.

• Results One year after myocardial infarction, elderly patients with non–insulin- and insulin-treated diabetes mellitus had significantly greater risk for readmission for heart failure and recurrent myocardial infarction than did patients without diabetes mellitus, and risk was greater in patients treated with insulin than in patients not treated with insulin. Diabetes mellitus, comorbid conditions related to diabetes mellitus, clinical findings on arrival, and characteristics of the myocardial infarction, specifically measures of ventricular function, were important predictors of these outcomes. Mortality was greater in patients not treated with insulin than in patients treated with insulin; the increased risk was mostly due to comorbid conditions related to diabetes mellitus and poorer ventricular function.

• Conclusions Risk of heart failure, recurrent myocardial infarction, and mortality is elevated in elderly patients who have non–insulin- or insulin-treated diabetes mellitus. Comorbid conditions related to diabetes mellitus and ventricular function at the time of the index myocardial infarction are important contributors to poorer outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Acute myocardial infarction in the elderly with diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been associated with an elevated, short-term risk of death after myocardial infarction (MI). Among the studies of DM, however, few studies have included elderly subjects. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine if non-insulin-treated DM (NIRxDM) and insulin-treated DM (IRxDM) were associated with specific comorbid conditions, clinical findings on arrival, and MI characteristics, as well as a higher 30-day mortality rate in elderly patients with acute MI.

DESIGN

The study design was a retrospective medical record review and secondary data analysis of previously collected data from the Cooperative Cardiovascular Project.

SETTING

Study setting was Connecticut from June 1, 1992, through February 28, 1993.

PATIENTS

Subjects included the entire Medicare population (n = 2050), aged 65 years or older who were hospitalized for acute MI.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Mortality rate at 30 days after MI was measured.

RESULTS

A history of DM was observed in 29% of the study population. DM status was associated with previous comorbid conditions, poorer functional status, higher body mass index, heart failure on arrival, non-Q-wave MI, and development of atrial fibrillation and oliguria during hospitalization. Patients with DM were less likely to have chest pain on arrival to the hospital. Diabetic status was not a significant predictor of short-term mortality; at 30 days after MI, 17% (n = 242) of the subjects without DM, 19% (n = 71) of those with NIRxDM, and 18% (n = 39) of the subjects with IRxDM died (P = .460). After adjustment for other prognostic factors, it was noted that MI characteristics present on hospital arrival predicted mortality at 30 days in both patients with NIRxDM and patients with IRxDM.

CONCLUSIONS

The slightly, but not significantly, increased mortality risk in patients with DM should not minimize the importance of monitoring DM in the acute MI setting. Hospitalization for MI provides an opportunity to provide aggressive lipid and blood pressure management, optimize blood glucose, control heart failure, and institute other secondary preventive interventions in the elderly population with DM.

Prognosis following first acute myocardial infarction in Type 2 diabetes: a comparative population study

AIMS

To estimate the incidence of death and macrovascular complications after a first myocardial infarction for patients with Type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN

In a retrospective, incidence cohort study in the Tayside Region of Scotland we studied all patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of first acute myocardial infarction from 1 April 1993 to 31 December 1994. The primary endpoint was time to death. Secondary endpoints were 2-year incidence of hospital admission for angina, myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, coronary angiography, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).

RESULTS

The 147 patients with Type 2 diabetes had significantly worse survival with an increase in relative hazard of 67% compared with non-diabetic patients. After adjustment for age, sex, smoking status, prior heart failure, prior angina, delay to hospitalization, site of infarction, drug therapy with aspirin, beta-blockers, streptokinase and hyperlipidaemia and treated hypertension, Type 2 diabetes was still associated with a 40% higher death rate compared with people without diabetes (P < 0.05) There was no significant difference in death rates in those aged over 70 years, but an indication of a trend in younger individuals with a four-fold increase in death rate in those with diabetes aged < 60 years, compared with a rate ratio of 2.6 in those with diabetes aged 61-70 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Among hospitalized patients with first acute myocardial infarction, Type 2 diabetes mellitus is consistently associated with increased mortality and increased hospital admission for heart failure. The estimated 4-year survival rate is only 50%. Our results indicate that younger subjects with Type 2 diabetes and acute myocardial infarction are a high-risk group deserving of special study, and support the argument for aggressive targeting of coronary risk factors among patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Pulse pressure and risk of cardiovascular events in the systolic hypertension in the elderly program

Pulse pressure has been related to higher risk of cardiovascular events in older persons. Isolated systolic hypertension is common among the elderly and is accompanied by elevated pulse pressure. Treatment of isolated systolic hypertension may further increase pulse pressure if diastolic pressure is lowered to a greater extent than systolic pressure. Little is known regarding pulse pressure as a predictor of cardiovascular outcomes in elderly persons with isolated systolic hypertension, and the influence of treatment on the pulse pressure effect. We assessed the relation between pulse pressure, measured throughout the follow-up period, and the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure (HF), and stroke in 4,632 participants in the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program, a 5-year randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of treatment of isolated systolic hypertension in older adults. In the treatment group, a 10-mm Hg increase in pulse pressure was associated with a statistically significant 32% increase in risk of HF and a 24% increase in risk of stroke after controlling for systolic blood pressure and other known risk factors, as well as with a 23% increase in risk of HF and a 19% increase in risk of stroke after controlling for diastolic blood pressure and other risk factors. Pulse pressure was not significantly associated with HF or stroke in the placebo group, nor with incidence of CHD in either the placebo or treatment group. These results suggest that pulse pressure is a useful marker of risk for HF and stroke among older adults being treated for isolated systolic hypertension.

Impact of diabetes on long-term survival after acute myocardial infarction: comparability of risk with prior myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of diabetes on long-term survival after acute myocardial infarction and to compare its effect with that of a previous myocardial infarction.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In a prospective cohort study, we followed 1,935 patients hospitalized with a confirmed acute myocardial infarction at 45 U.S. medical centers between 1989 and 1993, as part of the Determinants of Myocardial Infarction Onset Study. Trained interviewers performed chart reviews and face-to-face interviews with all patients. We analyzed survival using Cox proportional hazards regression to control for potentially confounding factors.

RESULTS

Of the 1,935 patients, 320 (17%) died during a mean follow-up of 3.7 years. A total of 399 patients (21%) had previously diagnosed diabetes. Diabetes was associated with markedly higher total mortality in unadjusted (hazard ratio [HR] 2.4; 95% CI 1.9-3.0) and adjusted (1.7; 1.3-2.1) analyses. The magnitude of the effect of diabetes was identical to that of a previous myocardial infarction. The effect of diabetes was not significantly modified by age, smoking, household income, use of thrombolytic therapy, type of hypoglycemic treatment, or duration of diabetes, but the risk associated with diabetes was higher among women than men (adjusted HRs 2.7 vs. 1.3, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes is associated with markedly increased mortality after acute myocardial infarction, particularly in women. The increase in risk is of the same magnitude as a previous myocardial infarction and provides further support for aggressive treatment of coronary risk factors among diabetic patients.