scholarly journals The Community Pharmacist’s Role in Reducing Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Lebanon: A Longitudinal Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 508-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iqbal M. Fahs ◽  
Souheil Hallit ◽  
Mohamad K. Rahal ◽  
Diana N. Malaeb

Objective: To assess the role of the pharmacist in modifying risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Lebanese adults in urban and rural areas. Methods: In a prospective survey, 865 out of 1,000 participants aged ≥45 years, previously interviewed, agreed to be followed at 1 and 2 years time points. Parameters including blood pressure, lipid profile, blood glucose, average number of risk factors, and atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) risk were assessed and evaluated at the beginning of the study, then after 1 and 2 years. Results: During both follow-ups, the mean average body mass index and systolic blood pressure decreased significantly and the lipid profile improved significantly. Further significant improvements in ASCVD risk occurred during the second follow-up. Monitoring parameters revealed significant improvements as well. Conclusion: This study showed that a plan that includes pharmacists, who regularly monitor and follow-up patients, could improve CVD prevention through the reduction of risk factors.

Author(s):  
Ekaterina B. Zvonareva ◽  
Lubov I. Grigorova

Since 2011 according to the national project “Health” the Regional Vascular Center has been operating on the basis of the Tambov Regional Clinical Hospital. This is a ward for patients with acute cerebral circulation disorder. Since 2017 there has been an increase in patients due to an increase in the number of attached population to Tambov Regional Clinical Hospital and, accordingly, unfortunately, the mortality rate from acute cerebral circulation disorder has been increasing. Between 2016 and 2020, a study was conducted based on the follow-up of young patients with hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. In the study we emphasized the research of regional features of the structure, causes, and risk factors of stroke in persons in the city of Tambov and the districts of the Tambov Region. We verified pathogenetic subtypes of stroke among young patients. We identified and considered main and concomitant factors determining stroke outcome, degree of neurological deficiency, and disabled patients. We identified the leading causes of stroke in persons, the main of which were: arterial hypertension, cardiac pathology, atherosclerosis.


2013 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. CMC.S12654 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Meikle ◽  
A. Al-Sarraf ◽  
M. Li ◽  
K. Grierson ◽  
J. Frohlich

Objective To assess the effects of exercise on resting heart rate (RHR), weight, lipid profile, and blood pressure. We hypothesized that the participants who increased their physical activity would show improvement in their cardiovascular risk factors compared to those who did not. Design Retrospective chart review over the mean duration of 4.9 years of follow-up. Setting Healthy Heart Program Prevention Clinic at St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Participants We reviewed 300 charts of patients randomly selected from those who attended the Prevention Clinic between 1984 and 2009. 248 (82.7%) patients were referred for primary prevention and 52 (17.3%) for secondary prevention. Primary and secondary outcome measures Weight, RHR, lipid profile, and blood pressure were recorded at the initial and last visit. Results During a mean of 4.9 years of follow-up, 55% of participants improved their exercise. The mean decrease in the RHR for these patients (group 1) was 5.9 beats per minute (bpm) versus the mean increase of 0.3 bpm for the “no change” group (group 2) ( P < 0.01). The mean net weight increase in group 1 was 0.06 kg/year versus 0.25 kg/year in group 2. Because of medications, all patients had a significant improvement in their lipid profiles. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant greater reduction in Framingham Risk Score (FRS) in group 1 versus group 2 (11.8% versus 15.1%, P < 0.01). Conclusion Participation in the program significantly reduces modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Improved exercise regimen results in lower RHR and greater reduction in FRS. However, even in a Prevention Program, despite strong advocacy of the importance of exercise, a significant percentage of participants does not improve their exercise habits.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiqiang Qin ◽  
Yiping Chen ◽  
Neil Wright ◽  
Pei Pei ◽  
Yu Guo ◽  
...  

Background: Little is known about the contemporary use of hospital treatments for major stroke pathological types in urban and rural areas of China. Methods: The China Kadoorie Biobank recruited >0.5 million adults (mean age 51 years, 59% women) during 2004-08 from ten (five urban, five rural) diverse areas in China. In-hospital medical records were retrieved from 20,229 participants (n=261 hospitals) hospitalised with a first-ever incident stroke over an 11-year follow-up period. Details of hospital management of stroke cases were analysed by sex, age of stroke onset, calendar year, hospital tier, region and other factors. Results: Among the 20,299 first-ever stroke cases, 17,306 (85%) had ischaemic stroke (IS; 7,123 non-lacunar, 6,690 lacunar and 3,493 silent lacunar), 2,623 (13%) had intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), and 370 (2%) had subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Among IS cases, anti-platelet treatment was used by 64% (65% non-lacunar, 66% lacunar, 56% silent lacunar), lipid-lowering by 50% (52% non-lacunar, 53% lacunar, 43% silent lacunar), blood pressure-lowering by about 42% of all IS subtypes, along with traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) by 59% (50% non-lacunar, 62% lacunar, 74% silent lacunar), with positive trends in use of these treatments by calendar year (Figure 1A), but inverse trends by hospital tier except TCM (Figure 1B). Approximately half of ICH (52.6%) or SAH (50.5%) cases received blood pressure-lowering medication, which did not vary significantly by area. A small proportion of cases with SAH had surgery to insert a coil (7.0%) or clip on aneurysm (5.7%). Interpretation: Among IS cases, use of antiplatelet, lipid-lowering and TCM increased in recent years and exceeded use of blood pressure-lowering treatment. In contrast, about half of all ICH and SAH cases used blood pressure-lowering treatments and there is significant under-use of surgery for SAH cases.


Crisis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danica W. Y. Liu ◽  
A. Kate Fairweather-Schmidt ◽  
Richard Burns ◽  
Rachel M. Roberts ◽  
Kaarin J. Anstey

Abstract. Background: Little is known about the role of resilience in the likelihood of suicidal ideation (SI) over time. Aims: We examined the association between resilience and SI in a young-adult cohort over 4 years. Our objectives were to determine whether resilience was associated with SI at follow-up or, conversely, whether SI was associated with lowered resilience at follow-up. Method: Participants were selected from the Personality and Total Health (PATH) Through Life Project from Canberra and Queanbeyan, Australia, aged 28–32 years at the first time point and 32–36 at the second. Multinomial, linear, and binary regression analyses explored the association between resilience and SI over two time points. Models were adjusted for suicidality risk factors. Results: While unadjusted analyses identified associations between resilience and SI, these effects were fully explained by the inclusion of other suicidality risk factors. Conclusion: Despite strong cross-sectional associations, resilience and SI appear to be unrelated in a longitudinal context, once risk/resilience factors are controlled for. As independent indicators of psychological well-being, suicidality and resilience are essential if current status is to be captured. However, the addition of other factors (e.g., support, mastery) makes this association tenuous. Consequently, resilience per se may not be protective of SI.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingmar Schäfer ◽  
Heike Hansen ◽  
Agata Menzel ◽  
Marion Eisele ◽  
Daniel Tajdar ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The aims of our study were to describe the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on primary care in Germany regarding the number of consultations, the prevalence of specific reasons for consultation presented by the patients, and the frequency of specific services performed by the GP. Methods We conducted a longitudinal observational study based on standardised GP interviews in a quota sampling design comparing the time before the COVID-19 pandemic (12 June 2015 to 27 April 2017) with the time during lockdown (21 April to 14 July 2020). The sample included GPs in urban and rural areas 120 km around Hamburg, Germany, and was stratified by region type and administrative districts. Differences in the consultation numbers were analysed by multivariate linear regressions in mixed models adjusted for random effects on the levels of the administrative districts and GP practices. Results One hundred ten GPs participated in the follow-up, corresponding to 52.1% of the baseline. Primary care practices in 32 of the 37 selected administrative districts (86.5%) could be represented in both assessments. At baseline, GPs reported 199.6 ± 96.9 consultations per week, which was significantly reduced during COVID-19 lockdown by 49.0% to 101.8 ± 67.6 consultations per week (p < 0.001). During lockdown, the frequency of five reasons for consultation (-43.0% to -31.5%) and eleven services (-56.6% to -33.5%) had significantly decreased. The multilevel, multivariable analyses showed an average reduction of 94.6 consultations per week (p < 0.001). Conclusions We observed a dramatic reduction of the number of consultations in primary care. This effect was independent of age, sex and specialty of the GP and independent of the practice location in urban or rural areas. Consultations for complaints like low back pain, gastrointestinal complaints, vertigo or fatigue and services like house calls/calls at nursing homes, wound treatments, pain therapy or screening examinations for the early detection of chronic diseases were particularly affected.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Kolossvary ◽  
E.K Fishman ◽  
G Gerstenblith ◽  
D.A Bluemke ◽  
R.N Mandler ◽  
...  

Abstract Background/Introduction Cross-sectional studies are inconsistent on the potential independent adverse effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infection on coronary artery disease (CAD). Furthermore, there is no information on the potential effects of HIV-infection on plaque volumes. Also, only the independent effects of HIV-infection on CAD have been investigated. Purpose In a prospective longitudinal observational cohort, we wished to assess whether HIV-infection accelerates CAD independently, or by acting in synergistic fashion with conventional and nonconventional cardiovascular risk factors to accelerate disease progression as assessed by clinical and volumetric parameters of CAD on coronary CT angiography (CCTA). Methods Overall, 300 asymptomatic individuals without cardiovascular symptoms but with CCTA-confirmed coronary plaques (210 males, age: 48.0±7.2 years) with or without HIV (226 HIV-infected) prospectively underwent CCTA at two time points (mean follow-up: 4.0±2.3 years). Agatston-score, number of coronary plaques, segment stenosis score were calculated, and we also segmented the coronary plaques to enumerate total, noncalcified (−100–350HU) and calcified (≥351HU) plaque volumes. Linear mixed models were used to assess the effects of HIV-infection, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, years of cocaine use and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein on CCTA markers of CAD. Results In univariate analysis, there was no significant difference in CAD characteristics between HIV-infected and -uninfected, neither at baseline nor at follow-up (p&gt;0.05 for all). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in annual progression rates between the two groups (p&gt;0.05 for all). By multivariate analysis, HIV was not associated with any CAD parameter (p&gt;0.05 for all). However, among HIV-infected individuals, each year of cocaine use significantly increased all CAD parameters (p&lt;0.05 for all), while ASCVD risk score was significantly associated with CAD parameters except for Agatston-score (p&lt;0.05). These associations were only present among HIV-infected individuals. Conclusion(s) Instead of directly worsening CAD, HIV may promote CAD through increased susceptibility to conventional and nonconventional cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, aggressive management of both conventional and nonconventional cardiovascular risk factors is needed to reduce cardiovascular burden of HIV-infection. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 634-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehsan Ghaedi ◽  
Mohammad Mohammadi ◽  
Hamed Mohammadi ◽  
Nahid Ramezani-Jolfaie ◽  
Janmohamad Malekzadeh ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThere is some evidence supporting the beneficial effects of a Paleolithic diet (PD) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. This diet advises consuming lean meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts and avoiding intake of grains, dairy products, processed foods, and added sugar and salt. This study was performed to assess the effects of a PD on CVD risk factors including anthropometric indexes, lipid profile, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers using data from randomized controlled trials. A comprehensive search was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases up to August 2018. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to estimate the pooled effect size. Meta-analysis of 8 eligible studies revealed that a PD significantly reduced body weight [weighted mean difference (WMD) = −1.68 kg; 95% CI: −2.86, −0.49 kg], waist circumference (WMD = −2.72 cm; 95% CI: −4.04, −1.40 cm), BMI (in kg/m2) (WMD = −1.54; 95% CI: −2.22, −0.87), body fat percentage (WMD = −1.31%; 95% CI: −2.06%, −0.57%), systolic (WMD = −4.75 mm Hg; 95% CI: −7.54, −1.96 mm Hg) and diastolic (WMD = −3.23 mm Hg; 95% CI: −4.77, −1.69 mm Hg) blood pressure, and circulating concentrations of total cholesterol (WMD = −0.23 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.42, −0.04 mmol/L), triglycerides (WMD = −0.30 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.55, −0.06 mmol/L), LDL cholesterol (WMD = −0.13 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.26, −0.01 mmol/L), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (WMD = −0.48 mg/L; 95% CI: −0.79, −0.16 mg/L) and also significantly increased HDL cholesterol (WMD = 0.06 mmol/L; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.11 mmol/L). However, sensitivity analysis revealed that the overall effects of a PD on lipid profile, systolic blood pressure, and circulating CRP concentrations were sensitive to removing some studies and to the correlation coefficients, hence the results must be interpreted with caution. Although the present meta-analysis revealed that a PD has favorable effects on CVD risk factors, the evidence is not conclusive and more well-designed trials are still needed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anar Gurbanov ◽  
Bora Gülhan ◽  
Barış Kuşkonmaz ◽  
Fatma Visal Okur ◽  
Duygu Uçkan Çetinkaya ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Aims The aim of the study is to investigate the incidence and risk factors of hypertension (HT) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients who had hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) during their childhood. Method Patients who had HSCT between January 2010-2019 with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months were included in the study. Data regarding renal complications were collected from the medical records of the patients. Guidelines of European Society of Hypertension (ESH) and American Academy of Pediatrics (APA) were used for the evaluation of hypertension. 24-hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was performed in children older than 5 years of age (68 patients). Ambulatory hypertension is diagnosed when systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure (BP) load is higher than 25%. Ambulatory prehypertension is diagnosed when mean systolic and/or diastolic BP is less than 95th percentile with systolic and/or diastolic BP load higher than 25%. Results A total of 72 patients (41 males and 31 females) were included in the study. The mean age of the patients at last visit was 10.8±4 years. ABPM revealed ambulatory HT in 6 patients (8.8%) and ambulatory prehypertension in 12 patients (17.6%). Office BP revealed HT in 3 patients (4.2%) and increased BP in four patients (5.6%) according to APA guideline (2017). In cohort, 12 patients with normal office BP (according to APA guideline) had ambulatory prehypertension or hypertension with ABPM. Office BP revealed HT in 1 patient (1.4%) and high-normal BP in 3 patients (4.2%) according to ESH guideline. In cohort, 15 patients with normal office BP (according to ESH guideline) had ambulatory prehypertension or hypertension with ABPM (Table 1). After a mean follow-up period of 4.4±2.5 years, CKD developed in 8 patients (11.1%). Patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease, with HLA-mismatched HSCT and/or transplantation of peripheric or cord blood hematopoietic stem cells had increased risk of CKD (p=0.041, p=0.033 and p=0.002, respectively). Conclusion Patients with HSCT should be regularly followed for the development of HT and ABPM should be used on regular basis. Patients with risk factors should be closely monitored for the development of CKD.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lise Lund Håheim ◽  
Kjersti S. Rønningen ◽  
Morten Enersen ◽  
Ingar Olsen

The predictive role of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), number of tooth extractions, and oral infections for mortality in people with and without diabetes is unclear. This prospective cohort study is a 12 1/2-year follow-up of the Oslo II study, a health survey in 2000. In all, 12,764 men were invited. Health information was retrieved from 6434 elderly men through questionnaire information, serum measurements, and anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Diabetes was reported by 425 men. Distinct differences were observed in baseline characteristics in individuals with and without diabetes. In the diabetes group, age and hs-CRP were statistically significant whereas in the nondiabetes group, age, hs-CRP, number of tooth extractions, tooth extractions for infections and oral infections combined, nonfasting glucose, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, regular alcohol drinking, daily smoking, and level of education were independent risk factors. The number of tooth extractions <5 was inversely related whereas more extractions increased the risk. Multivariate analyses showed that hs-CRP was a significant predictor in persons with diabetes and tooth extractions and oral infections combined; the number of teeth extracted and hs-CRP were for persons without diabetes. Infection and inflammation were associated with mortality in individuals both with and without diabetes.


Stroke ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren T Larsen ◽  
Helmi L Lutsep

Background and Issues Aggressive management of vascular risk factors reduces stroke rates. It is unknown whether structured nurse-led follow up increases adherence rates for stroke patients after hospital discharge. Purpose The purpose of this program is to improve secondary stroke risk factor management by instituting a nurse-led initiative called Stroke Therapy, Education, Prevention (STEP). Methods The pilot STEP program was based on protocols used for other stroke prevention trials. This nurse-led program includes inpatient initiation and outpatient maintenance of pharmacologic and lifestyle goals for stroke patients. Eligible patients have a non-disabling ischemic stroke or TIA and are without insurance restrictions and live within a distance allowing return to clinic for follow up. Prior to discharge, the STEP nurse completes patient education, and reviews outpatient goals. The STEP nurse makes phone contact with the patient 7-10 days after discharge to review medication compliance and reinforce education. At 30 days post discharge patients are seen in clinic by the STEP nurse where a resting blood pressure (BP) is measured. If the patient does not meet targets (<140 SBP or <130 SBP for DM) medications are adjusted by a stroke neurologist. We undertook a retrospective chart review of a consecutive cohort of patients matched to STEP eligibility criteria to determine whether the program improved retention rates and BP management. Chi-Square analysis was used to compare visit adherence and percentage achieving goal BPs at 30 days. Results In the STEP group 25/32(78%) patients completed the 30 day follow up compared to 14/32 (44%) patients in the historical matched cohort (p=0.0048). Target BP was achieved in 13/25(52%) STEP patients and 5/14 (36%) matched cohort patients (p=0.32) returning to clinic. Overall, target BP was achieved in 13/32 (41%) and 5/32 (16%) respectively (p=0.026). Conclusions In conclusion, follow up adherence and BP management in the group as a whole was better in the nurse-led model and is recommended for secondary stroke prevention. Long term follow up with this model may further increase in-target rates of BP control and other stroke risk factors.


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