A prospective evaluation of persistence on antihypertensive treatment with different antihypertensive drugs in clinical practice

Persistence on treatment affects the efficacy of antihypertensive treatment. We prospectively investigated the persistence on therapy and the extent of blood pressure (BP) control in 347 hypertensive patients (age 59.4 ± 6 years) randomly allocated to a first-line treatment with: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, calcium-channel blockers (CCBs), ß-blockers, angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs), or diuretics and followed-up for 24-months. Persistence on treatment was higher in patients treated with ARBs (68.5%) and ACE inhibitors (64.5%) vs CCBs (51.6%; p < 0.05), β-blockers (44.8%, p < 0.05), and diuretics (34.4%, p < 0.01). No ARB, ACE inhibitor, β-blocker, or diuretic was associated with a higher persistence in therapy compared with the other molecules used in each therapeutic class. The rate of persistence was significantly higher in patients treated with lercanidipine vs others CCBs (59.3% vs 46.6%, p < 0.05). Systolic and diastolic BP was decreased more successfully in patients treated with ARBs (−11.2/−5.8 mmHg), ACE inhibitors (−10.5/−5.1 mmHg), and CCBs (−8.5/−4.6 mmHg) compared with ß-blockers (−4.0/−2.3 mmHg p < 0.05) and diuretics (−2.3/−2.1 mmHg, p < 0.05). No ARB, ACE inhibitor, β-blocker, or diuretic was associated with a higher BP control compared with the other molecules used in each therapeutic class. A trend toward a better BP control was observed in response to lercanidipine vs other CCBs (p = 0.059). The present results confirm the importance of persistence on treatment for the management of hypertension in clinical practice

Surgical menopause increases salt sensitivity of blood pressure

Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.;Salt sensitivity of blood pressure is associated with an elevated risk of developing hypertension (HTN) and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of HTN increases after menopause. The aim of this study was to investigate prospectively whether the loss of ovarian hormones increases the occurrence of salt sensitivity among healthy premenopausal women. We enrolled 40 normotensive, nondiabetic women (age 47.2+/-3.5), undergoing hysterectomy-oophorectomy for nonneoplastic processes and not on hormone replacement, to determine the effect of changes in sodium intake on blood pressure the day before and subsequently 4 months after surgical menopause. Salt loading was achieved using a 2-L normal saline infusion and salt depletion produced by 40 mg of intravenous furosemide. A decrease >10 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure between salt loading and salt depletion was used to define salt sensitivity. Before and after menopause, salt-sensitive women exhibited higher waist/hip and waist/thigh ratios (P<0.01). Although all of the women remained normotensive, the prevalence of salt sensitivity was significantly higher after surgical menopause (21 women; 52.5%) than before (9 women; 22.5%; P=0.01), because 12 (38.7%) salt-resistant women developed salt sensitivity after menopause. In summary, we demonstrated that the prevalence of salt sensitivity doubled as early as 4 months after surgical menopause, without an associated increase in blood pressure. Epidemiological studies indicate that development of HTN may not occur until 5 to 10 years after menopause. The loss of ovarian hormones may unmask a population of women prone to salt sensitivity who, with aging, would be at higher risk for the subsequent development of HTN and cardiovascular disease.This work was supported by funds from the Veterans Affairs Administration to L.R.Ye

Tinnitus in elderly patients and prognosis of mild-to-moderate congestive heart failure: a cross-sectional study with a long-term extension of the clinical follow-up

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The complex mechanism responsible for tinnitus, a symptom highly prevalent in elderly patients, could involve an impaired control of the microcirculation of the inner ear, particularly in patients with poor blood pressure control and impaired left ventricular (LV) function.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In order to define the relationship between the presence of tinnitus and the severity and clinical prognosis of mild-to-moderate chronic heart failure (CHF) in a large population of elderly patients (N = 958), a cross-sectional study was conducted with a long-term extension of the clinical follow-up. Blood pressure, echocardiographic parameters, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), hospitalization, and mortality for CHF were measured. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between the presence of tinnitus and some of the prognostic determinants of heart failure.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The presence of tinnitus was ascertained in 233 patients (24.3%; mean age 74.9 ± 6 years) and was associated with reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure (123.1 ± 16/67.8 ± 9 vs 125.9 ± 15/69.7 ± 9; <it>P </it>= .027/<it>P </it>= .006), reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF%; 43.6 ± 15 vs 47.9 ± 14%, <it>P </it>= .001), and increased BNP plasma levels (413.1 ± 480 vs 286.2 ± 357, <it>P </it>= .013) in comparison to patients without symptoms. The distribution of CHF functional class was shifted toward a greater severity of the disease in patients with tinnitus. Combined one-year mortality and hospitalization for CHF (events/year) was 1.43 ± 0.2 in patients with tinnitus and 0.83 ± 0.1 in patients without tinnitus, with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 0.61 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37 to 0.93, <it>P </it><.002).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our preliminary data indirectly support the hypothesis that tinnitus is associated with a worse CHF control in elderly patients and can have some important clinical implications for the early identification of patients who deserve a more aggressive management of CHF.</p

Cough and ACE Inhibitors: The Truth Beyond Placebo

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are extensively used for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases with a wide range of clinical recommendations. The use of ACE inhibitors can cause the onset of a dry cough, whose prevalence has probably been overestimated because of the lack of adequate control. A correct interpretation of available data requires a careful evaluation of placebo-controlled studies to definitely assess the rate of the most frequent adverse event of ACE inhibition

An evidence-based review on urate-lowering treatments: Implications for optimal treatment of chronic hyperuricemia

Several studies suggest that chronic hyperuricemia, the main precursor of gout, is involved in the pathogenesis of different systemic disorders that affect cardiovascular and renal systems, such as hypertension, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, chronic heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. Recent epidemiological evidence has shown an increasing trend in the prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout in the Western world: a number of population-based studies estimate a prevalence of up to 21% for hyperuricemia and 1%-4% for gout. As such, early detection and careful management of this pathological condition is required, starting from lifestyle changes (mainly based on a diet low in red meat, sugars, and alcoholic beverages, with increased intake of vegetables, water, and vitamin C sources), adding specific drugs to lead serum uric acid (SUA) levels under the target value of 7 mg/dL. In particular, nonselective and selective XO inhibitors (allopurinol, oxypurinol, febuxostat) reduce SUA levels and the overproduction of reactive oxygen species, mainly related to XO overactivity that often causes inflammatory damage to the vascular endothelium. The effect of lowering SUA levels via XO inhibition includes an attenuation of oxidative stress and related endothelial dysfunction that largely contribute to the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the inhibition of XO overactivation seems to be an excellent therapeutic option to limit the harmful effects of excess UA and reactive oxygen species. In conclusion, rapid diagnosis and correct therapy for hyperuricemia may also improve the prevention and/or treatment of serious and multifactorial diseases. The available evidence supports the importance of promoting new experimental clinical trials to confirm the emerging antioxidant role of XO inhibitors, which could effectively contribute to cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease prevention

Work-related cardiovascular stress in orthodontists: A pilot project

Background Contemporary orthodontics involves many potentially hazardous factors, including psychological stress with proven undesirable sequelae. The purpose of this study was to gain more insight into cardiocirculatory dynamics in orthodontists during work time and specifically to investigate the potential hazard of a series of orthodontic-related stressors. Material and methods The study population consisted of 10 orthodontists (five men and five women, aged 32–65; mean 57 ± 12). A 24-hour automatic device was fitted to each orthodontist to monitor blood pressure and heart rate. The parameter used for statistical analysis was myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) as the product of heart rate and systolic blood pressure (double product). Results The mean MVO2 percent increase in the entire population of orthodontists during the working day was 25.5 ± 14.1 with a range of 0% to 73%. The mean MVO2 percent increase during operative performances was 29.0 ± 14.1 versus 21.2 ± 13.3 during nonoperative performances; the difference was statistically significant (F = 11.7; P < 0.01). The mean MVO2 percent increase in the presence of parents was 28.5 ± 15.2 versus 22.6 ± 12.4 in the absence of parents; the difference was statistically significant (F = 5.4; P < 0.05). A statistically significant relationship was found between single values of MVO2 percent increases during performances and the degree of patient cooperation (F = 9.4; r = 0.27; P < 0.01). No statistically significant relationship (F = 1.9) was found between single values of MVO2 percent increases during performances and single values of subjective stress experienced by each orthodontist during each performance. Conclusions Routine practice affects the cardiovascular system of orthodontists during the working day. Lack of patient cooperation and psychological pressure from parents in the dental office may have a negative impact on the degree of circulatory dynamics

Health hazard evaluation in private dental practices: a survey in a province of northen Italy

• The purpose of this questionnaire survey was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of private dental health care workers about cross-infection hazards through examination of practising behaviour in respect of infection control. A questionnaire was sent by mail to the private dentists operating in Parma province. The survey concerned 7 groups of questions about demographic data, personal protective equipment, immunization, sterilization and disinfection, waste disposal and occupationally acquired injuries, behaviour. Four hundred questionnaires were sent to the members of the Medical and Dentist College of Parma: 122 were returned and analysed (30.5%). Among the infectious diseases 45% of the interviewed think that the most dangerous diseases are Hepatitis B and C, followed by HIV infection (21.5%). The most used personal protective equipments are gloves (98%), masks (95%) and protective eyewear (94%). Sixty eighth per cent of the dentists treat HBV, HCV, HIV, TB, HSV suffering patients at the end of the working day. Twenty nine point 7% of them claim to have written protocols to follow in case of accident. Altogether the results show a good knowledge of the most important risks related to dentistry activity and of the main procedures for the infection control and management