Survival prospects after acute myocardial infarction in the UK: a matched cohort study 1987–2011

Objectives: Estimate survival after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the general population aged 60 and over, and the effect of recommended treatments. Design: Cohort study in the United Kingdom with routinely collected data between January 1987 and March 2011. Setting: 310 general practices that contributed to The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database. Participants: Four cohorts who reached the age of 60, 65, 70, or 75 years between 1987 and 2011 included 16,744, 43,528, 73,728, and 76,392 participants, respectively. Participants with a history of AMI were matched on sex, year of birth, and general practice to three controls each. Outcome measures: The hazard of all-cause mortality associated with AMI was calculated by a multilevel Cox’s proportional hazards regression, adjusted for sex, year of birth, socioeconomic status, angina, heart failure, other cardiovascular conditions, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, alcohol consumption, body mass index, smoking status, coronary revascularisation, prescription of beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium-channel blockers, aspirin, or statins, and general practice. Results: Compared to no history of AMI by age 60, 65, 70, or 75, having had one AMI was associated with an adjusted hazard of mortality of 1.80 (95% CI 1.60-2.02), 1.71 (1.59-1.84), 1.50 (1.42-1.59), or 1.45 (1.38-1.53), respectively, and having had multiple AMIs with a hazard of 1.92 (1.60-2.29), 1.87 (1.68-2.07), 1.66 (1.53-1.80), or 1.63 (1.51-1.76), respectively. Survival was better after statins (hazard ratio range across the four cohorts 0.74-0.81), beta blockers (0.79-0.85), or coronary revascularisation (in first five years) (0.72-0.80); unchanged after calcium-channel blockers (1.00-1.07); and worse after aspirin (1.05-1.10) or ACE inhibitors (1.10-1.25). Conclusions: The hazard of death after AMI is less than reported by previous studies, and standard treatments of aspirin or ACE inhibitors prescription may be of little benefit or even cause harm

Survival benefits of statin therapy in primary care: landmark analyses

Statins have been widely prescribed for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease since clinical trials have demonstrated the survival benefits. However, the threshold of cardiac risk at which to prescribe statins is still controversial, especially at older ages when everyone would be eligible solely due to their age. Our study aim was to dynamically predict the survival benefits associated with statin therapy over the course of 25 years in patients aged 60 residential in England or Wales

Perinatal outcomes of frequent attendance in midwifery care in the Netherlands: a retrospective cohort study

Background Over the last decade, a trend towards high utilisation of primary maternity care was observed in high-income countries. There is limited research with contradictory results regarding frequent attendance (FA) and perinatal outcomes in midwifery care. Therefore, this study examined possible associations between FA in midwifery care and obstetric interventions and perinatal outcomes. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed in a medium-sized midwifery-led care practice in an urban region in the Netherlands. Frequent attenders (FAs) were categorised using the Kotelchuck-Index Revised. Regression analyses were executed to examine the relationship between FAs and perinatal outcomes, stratified by antenatal referral to an obstetrician. Main outcomes of interest were Apgar score ≤ 7 and perinatal death, birth weight, mode of delivery, haemorrhage, place of birth, transfer during labour, and a requirement for pain relief. Results The study included 1015 women, 239 (24%) FAs and 776 (76%) non-FAs, 538 (53%) were not referred and 447 (47%) were referred to an obstetrician. In the non-referred group, FA was significantly associated with a requirement for pain relief (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.24–3.17) and duration of dilatation (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.04–1.38). In the referred group, FA was significantly associated with induction of labour (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.17–2.95), ruptured perineum (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.27–0.95) and episiotomy (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.24–0.95). In the non-referred and the referred group, FA was not associated with the other obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Due to small numbers, we could not measure possible associations of FA with an Apgar score ≤ 7 and perinatal death. Conclusion In our study, perinatal outcomes differed by FA and antenatal referral to an obstetrician. In the non-referred group, FA was significantly associated with medical pain relief and duration of dilatation. In the referred group, FA was significantly associated with induction of labour, ruptured perineum, and episiotomy. Further research with a larger study population is needed to look for a possible association between FA and primary adverse birth outcomes such as perinatal mortality

Outcomes of blood pressure targets in clinical trial versus primary care setting

Objective: The primary objective was to compare outcomes of different systolic blood pressure (SBP) targets in the US clinical setting and the UK primary care setting. / Methods: Data from the SPRINT randomised control trial and The Health Improvement Network (THIN) primary care database were used to develop survival models for longevity and adverse renal outcome (ARO, main adverse effect) at different SBP targets given treatment in people without diabetes and chronic kidney disease. The hazard of all-cause mortality or ARO associated with SBP targets was calculated by a multilevel Cox’s proportional hazards regression, adjusted for sex, age, race, smoking, BMI, SBP, cardiovascular disease, number of antihypertensive agents at baseline, additional medication after trial entry, their interaction, and clinical site. / Results: Compared to SBP target of ≤120 mmHg, SBP target of ≤140 mmHg was associated with increased hazard of mortality of 1.42 (1.06-1.90) in SPRINT, but with decreased hazard of 0.70 (0.65-0.76) in THIN. Both in SPRINT and THIN, SBP target of ≤140 mmHg was associated with decreased hazard of ARO of 0.32 (0.22-0.46) and 0.87 (0.80-0.95), respectively. Additional antihypertensive agents (3+) were associated with increased hazards of both outcomes, with HRs of 1.71-1.74 in SPRINT and 1.43-2.23 in THIN, yet being on 2 agents had survival benefits in SPRINT (HRs 0.70-0.79). / Conclusions: Lower SBP target was associated with survival benefits in the clinical setting, but with increased hazard of mortality in the primary care setting. In both settings, polypharmacy patients tended to be worse off. An intensive control of SBP may benefit a selected subgroup of patients, but it appears harmful for the broader population

Do adolescents with impaired vision have different intentions and ambitions for their education, career and social outcomes compared to their peers? Findings from the Millennium Cohort Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate if impaired vision adversely impacts the intentions/ambitions of adolescents concerning their future education, careers and social outcomes. METHODS: Population-based birth cohort study in the UK comprising 9273 participants from the Millennium Cohort Study who were followed up to age 17 years. Children were classified as having normal vision or unilateral or bilateral impaired vision caused by significant eye conditions based on detailed parental-structured questionnaire data on sight problems and treatment coded by clinicians. Ten domains covering education, career and social outcomes by age 30 were investigated. RESULTS: Adjusted regression models showed few differences by vision status. Bilateral impaired vision was associated with increased odds of intending to remain in full-time education after statutory school age (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.00, 95% CI 1.08 to 3.68) and of home ownership at age 30 (aOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.32). Impaired vision was not associated with intending to attend university. A significantly higher proportion of parents of children with bilateral or unilateral impaired vision thought that their child would not get the exam grades required to go to university than parents of those with normal vision (29% or 26% vs 16%, p=0.026). CONCLUSION: Adolescents with impaired vision have broadly the same intentions/ambitions regarding future education, careers and social outcomes as their peers with normal vision. The known significant gaps in attainment in these domains among young adults with vision impairment are therefore likely to be due to barriers that they face in achieving their ambitions. Improved implementation of existing interventions is necessary to ensure equality of opportunities

Pattern visual evoked potentials show an inferior-superior topographic shift through maturation in childhood

BACKGROUND: The pattern-reversal visual evoked potential (prVEP) is an established routine clinical test. Its objectivity is particularly valuable for assessing visual pathway function in children. International standards specify at a minimum, that an active electrode is placed on the occiput at Oz, but the authors find an additional inferior electrode at the inion (Iz) provides larger and more sensitive prVEPs in young persons. This study assesses the significance and age-dependence of these observations. METHODS: PrVEPs were recorded from 1487 patients considered ophthalmologically normal aged <20 years old, to a range of check widths including ISCEV standard large (50') and small (12.5') check widths. P100 peak-time and amplitude from both electrode sites were analysed. A subset of 256 children were studied longitudinally fitting logistic regression models including a random effect on subjects. RESULTS: PrVEPs were largest over the Iz electrode for the majority of infants and children. This transitioned with age to become equal or smaller at Oz as a function of check width. For ISCEV standard large and small check widths, transition periods were ∼8 and ∼12 years of age, respectively. We estimated abnormal result classifications of 3.7% with use of an Oz electrode alone, which decreases to 0.0-0.5% when adding or using an Iz electrode. CONCLUSION: The inferior dominance of prVEP topography in children may be explained by age-related anatomical changes altering the cortical dipole, combined with physiological maturation of the neural generators of the prVEP. We recommend the Iz electrode is used routinely in recording of prVEPs in children. KEY POINTS: Pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEPs) are an established clinical test which provide objective assessment of visual pathway function. These are particularly valuable in providing objective information of vision in children. International standards specify the active recording electrode should be placed at the mid-occiput (Oz), but we find that prVEP amplitudes are larger for a lower placed electrode (Iz) in young persons. This was assessed in 1487 patients who had simultaneous PVEP recording at both electrode positions, and we found the majority of PVEPs in children were larger over the Iz electrode. The developmental differences in PVEP distribution transitioned to be equal between Iz and Oz with increasing age as a function of check width, at ∼8 and ∼12 years old for large and small check widths respectively. These differences will improve diagnostic accuracy of paediatric PVEPs. We hypothesise these changes reflect developmental anatomical and neurophysiological changes altering the PVEP dipole. Abstract figure legend Schematic of prVEP response measurement. Responses were recorded from mid-occipital (Oz) and inion (Iz) electrodes simultaneously, referred to a mid-frontal electrode (Fz) and ground centrally (Cz). Peak-time was taken from stimulus onset (0ms) to peak of the P100 component (red dashed line). Amplitude was taken from the N75 trough to P100 peak (red solid line). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Determinants and underlying causes of frequent attendance in midwife-led care:an exploratory cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: An adequate number of prenatal consultations is beneficial to the health of the mother and fetus. Guidelines recommend an average of 5-14 consultations. Daily practice, however, shows that some women attend the midwifery practice more frequently. This study examined factors associated with frequent attendance in midwifery-led care. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a large midwifery practice in the Netherlands among low-risk women who started prenatal care in 2015 and 2016. Based on Andersen's behavioral model, we collected data on potential determinants from the digital midwifery's practice database. Prenatal healthcare utilization was measured by a revised version of the Kotelchuck Index, which measures a combination of care entry and numbers of visits. Logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the likelihood of frequent attendance compared to the recommended number of visits, adjusted for all relevant factors. Separate models were fitted on the non-referred and the referred group of obstetric-led care, as referral was found to be an effect modifier. RESULTS: The prevalence of frequent attendance was 23% (243/1053), mainly caused by worries and/or vague complaints (44%; 106/243). Among non-referred women, 53% (560/1053), frequent attendance was associated with consultation with an obstetrician (OR = 3.99 (2.35-6.77)) and exposure to sexual violence (OR = 2.17 (1.11-4.24)). Among the referred participants, 47% (493/1053), frequent attendance was associated with a consultation with an obstetrician (OR = 2.75 (1.66-4.57)), psychosocial problems in the past or present (OR = 1.85 (1.02-3.35) or OR = 2.99 (1.43-6.25)), overweight (OR = 1.88 (1.09-3.24)), and deprived area (OR = 0.50 (0.27-0.92)). CONCLUSION: Our exploratory study indicates that the determinants of frequent attendance in midwifery-led care differs between non-referred and referred women. Underlying causes for frequent attendance was mainly because of non-medical reasons. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: A trustful midwife-client relationship is known to be needed for clients such as frequent attenders to share more detailed, personal stories in case of vague complaints or worries, which is necessary to identify their implicit needs

Prenatal screening for congenital anomalies: exploring midwives’ perceptions of counseling clients with religious backgrounds

BACKGROUND: In the Netherlands, prenatal screening follows an opting in system and comprises two non-invasive tests: the combined test to screen for trisomy 21 at 12 weeks of gestation and the fetal anomaly scan to detect structural anomalies at 20 weeks. Midwives counsel about prenatal screening tests for congenital anomalies and they are increasingly having to counsel women from religious backgrounds beyond their experience. This study assessed midwives’ perceptions and practices regarding taking client’s religious backgrounds into account during counseling. As Islam is the commonest non-western religion, we were particularly interested in midwives’ knowledge of whether pregnancy termination is allowed in Islam. METHODS: This exploratory study is part of the DELIVER study, which evaluated primary care midwifery in the Netherlands between September 2009 and January 2011. A questionnaire was sent to all 108 midwives of the twenty practices participating in the study. RESULTS: Of 98 respondents (response rate 92%), 68 (69%) said they took account of the client’s religion. The two main reasons for not doing so were that religion was considered irrelevant in the decision-making process and that it should be up to clients to initiate such discussions. Midwives’ own religious backgrounds were independent of whether they paid attention to the clients’ religious backgrounds. Eighty midwives (82%) said they did not counsel Muslim women differently from other women. Although midwives with relatively many Muslim clients had more knowledge of Islamic attitudes to terminating pregnancy in general than midwives with relatively fewer Muslim clients, the specific knowledge of termination regarding trisomy 21 and other congenital anomalies was limited in both groups. CONCLUSION: While many midwives took client’s religion into account, few knew much about Islamic beliefs on prenatal screening for congenital anomalies. Midwives identified a need for additional education. To meet the needs of the changing client population, counselors need more knowledge of religious opinions about the termination of pregnancy and the skills to approach religious issues with clients

Survival benefits of statins for primary prevention: a cohort study

Objectives: Estimate the effect of statin prescription on mortality in the population of England and Wales with no previous history of cardiovascular disease.  Methods: Primary care records from The Health Improvement Network 1987-2011 were used.Four cohorts of participants aged 60, 65, 70, or 75 years at baseline included 118,700,199,574, 247,149, and 194,085 participants; and 1.4, 1.9, 1.8, and 1.1 million person-years of data, respectively. The exposure was any statin prescription at any time before the participant reached the baseline age (60, 65, 70 or 75) and the outcome was all-cause mortality at any age above the baseline age. The hazard of mortality associated with statin prescription was calculated by Cox's proportional hazard regressions, adjusted for sex, year of birth, socioeconomic status, diabetes,antihypertensive medication, hypercholesterolaemia, body mass index, smoking status, and general practice. Participants were grouped by QRISK2 baseline risk of afirst cardiovascular event in the next ten years of <10%, 10-19%, or ≥20%.  Results: There was no reduction in all-cause mortality for statin prescription initiated in participants with a QRISK2 score <10% at any baseline age, or in participants aged 60at baseline in any risk group. Mortality was lower in participants with a QRISK2 score≥20% if statin prescription had been initiated by age 65 (adjusted hazard ratio (HR)0.86 (0.79-0.94)), 70 (HR 0.83 (0.79-0.88)), or 75 (HR 0.82 (0.79-0.86)). Mortality reduction was uncertain with a QRISK2 score of 10-19%: the HR was 1.00 (0.91-1.11)for statin prescription by age 65, 0.89 (0.81-0.99) by age 70, or 0.79 (0.52-1.19) by age75.  Conclusions: The current internationally recommended thresholds for statin therapy for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in routine practice may be too low and may lead to overtreatment of younger people and those at low risk