Evaluating the implementation of the Inverse Care Law Programme in Wales, a population based intervention in primary care

IntroductionThe Inverse Care Law (ICL) programme in Wales was setup to identify people in deprived communities at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) through a health check; offering lifestyle and medical intervention as appropriate. Evaluation of this programme to tackle health inequalities ensuring services are available is vital. Objectives and ApproachTo evaluate the uptake and long term outcomes of the programme, using longitudinal evidence-based results, it was necessary to develop an efficient and cost effective approach with a readily available source of data. To achieve this, the Welsh Longitudinal General Practice (WLGP) data held in Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) databank was utilised, with programme-specific code deployed within primary care at the point of the health check, which identified the intervention, potential CVD risks, referrals and any follow-up. Lifestyle risk factors could be evaluated such as poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking and high alcohol intake. ResultsUtilising routine data sources and reproducible SQL (Standard Query Language), we evaluated the programme initialisation between February 2015 and November 2016, and found of 55 General Practices who participated, 31 of 35 in Aneurin Bevan (AB) and 17 of 20 in Cwm Taf (CT) University Health Boards, providing data which allowed identification of the health check and associated outcomes of interest in the routine data, with 3 (2 AB, 1 CT) since delivering. There are ongoing evaluations on the various risk factors longitudinally as well as the overall implementation of the programme itself, with this collaborative approach succeeding in utilising existing powerful data linkage within the SAIL databank to identify our intervention and facilitate long-term follow-up at an individual level using robust information governance mechanisms. Conclusion/ImplicationsLessons learned and challenges encountered are being fed back as part of our evaluation, with further work assessing the long term population level outcomes and impact of the health check and services provided across these deprivation groups, informing and refining programme delivery of similar work across Wales in the future.

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Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients With Isolated Side Branch Coronary Artery Disease

Angiology ◽

10.1177/00033197211028024 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 000331972110280

Author(s):

Sukru Arslan ◽

Ahmet Yildiz ◽

Okay Abaci ◽

Urfan Jafarov ◽

Servet Batit ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Coronary Artery Disease ◽

Coronary Artery ◽

Vessel Diameter ◽

Side Branch ◽

Clinical Risk Factors ◽

Clinical Risk ◽

Artery Disease

The data with respect to stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) are mainly confined to main vessel disease. However, there is a lack of information and long-term outcomes regarding isolated side branch disease. This study aimed to evaluate long-term major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) in patients with isolated side branch coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 437 patients with isolated side branch SCAD were included. After a median follow-up of 38 months, the overall MACCE and all-cause mortality rates were 14.6% and 5.9%, respectively. Among angiographic features, 68.2% of patients had diagonal artery and 82.2% had ostial lesions. In 28.8% of patients, the vessel diameter was ≥2.75 mm. According to the American College of Cardiology lesion classification, 84.2% of patients had either class B or C lesions. Age, ostial lesions, glycated hemoglobin A1c, and neutrophil levels were independent predictors of MACCE. On the other hand, side branch location, vessel diameter, and lesion complexity did not affect outcomes. Clinical risk factors seem to have a greater impact on MACCE rather than lesion morphology. Therefore, the treatment of clinical risk factors is of paramount importance in these patients.

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Cumulative incidence and risk factors for radiation induced leukoencephalopathy in high grade glioma long term survivors

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89216-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Robert Terziev ◽

Dimitri Psimaras ◽

Yannick Marie ◽

Loic Feuvret ◽

Giulia Berzero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cumulative Incidence ◽

High Grade Glioma ◽

High Grade ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Radiation Induced ◽

Long Term Survivors

AbstractThe incidence and risk factors associated with radiation-induced leukoencephalopathy (RIL) in long-term survivors of high-grade glioma (HGG) are still poorly investigated. We performed a retrospective research in our institutional database for patients with supratentorial HGG treated with focal radiotherapy, having a progression-free overall survival > 30 months and available germline DNA. We reviewed MRI scans for signs of leukoencephalopathy on T2/FLAIR sequences, and medical records for information on cerebrovascular risk factors and neurological symptoms. We investigated a panel of candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to assess genetic risk. Eighty-one HGG patients (18 grade IV and 63 grade III, 50M/31F) were included in the study. The median age at the time of radiotherapy was 48 years old (range 18–69). The median follow-up after the completion of radiotherapy was 79 months. A total of 44 patients (44/81, 54.3%) developed RIL during follow-up. Twenty-nine of the 44 patients developed consistent symptoms such as subcortical dementia (n = 28), gait disturbances (n = 12), and urinary incontinence (n = 9). The cumulative incidence of RIL was 21% at 12 months, 42% at 36 months, and 48% at 60 months. Age > 60 years, smoking, and the germline SNP rs2120825 (PPARg locus) were associated with an increased risk of RIL. Our study identified potential risk factors for the development of RIL (age, smoking, and the germline SNP rs2120825) and established the rationale for testing PPARg agonists in the prevention and management of late-delayed radiation-induced neurotoxicity.

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Post-Operative Dysphagia in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology ◽

10.1177/00034894211015582 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 000348942110155

Author(s):

Leonard Haller ◽

Khush Mehul Kharidia ◽

Caitlin Bertelsen ◽

Jeffrey Wang ◽

Karla O’Dell

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Medical Records ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Anterior Cervical Discectomy ◽

Cervical Discectomy ◽

Long Term Follow Up

Objective: We sought to identify risk factors associated with long-term dysphagia, characterize changes in dysphagia over time, and evaluate the incidence of otolaryngology referrals for patients with long-term dysphagia following anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF). Methods: About 56 patients who underwent ACDF between May 2017 to February 2019 were included in the study. All patients were assessed for dysphagia using the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) survey preoperatively and late postoperatively (≥1 year). Additionally, 28 patients were assessed for dysphagia early postoperatively (2 weeks—3 months). Demographic data, medical comorbidities, intraoperative details, and post-operative otolaryngology referral rates were collected from electronic medical records. Results: Of the 56 patients enrolled, 21 patients (38%) had EAT-10 scores of 3 or more at long-term follow-up. None of the demographics, comorbidities, or surgical factors assessed were associated with long-term dysphagia. Patients who reported no long-term dysphagia had a mean EAT-10 score of 6.9 early postoperatively, while patients with long-term symptoms had a mean score of 18.1 ( P = .006). Of the 21 patients who reported persistent dysphagia symptoms, 3 (14%) received dysphagia testing or otolaryngology referrals post-operatively. Conclusion: Dysphagia is a notable side effect of ACDF surgery, but there are no significant demographics, comorbidities, or surgical risk factors that predict long-term dysphagia. Early postoperative characterization of dysphagia using the EAT-10 questionnaire can help predict long-term symptoms. There is inadequate screening and otolaryngology follow-up for patients with post-ACDF dysphagia.

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Incidence and risk factors for trocar site hernia following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A long-term follow-up study

Hernia ◽

10.1007/s10029-012-0929-y ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 431-437 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

E. Erdas ◽

C. Dazzi ◽

F. Secchi ◽

S. Aresu ◽

A. Pitzalis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy ◽

Trocar Site ◽

Follow Up Study ◽

Trocar Site Hernia ◽

Long Term Follow Up

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Long-term follow-up results of medial opening wedge high tibia osteotomy with a pre-countered non-locking steel plate

Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery ◽

10.1007/s00402-021-03927-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Simo S. A. Miettinen ◽

Hannu J. A. Miettinen ◽

Jussi Jalkanen ◽

Antti Joukainen ◽

Heikki Kröger

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Adverse Events ◽

Mechanical Axis ◽

Steel Plate ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Opening Wedge ◽

Cumulative Survival ◽

Long Term Follow Up

Abstract Introduction This retrospective study investigated the long-term follow-up results of medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) with a pre-countered non-locking steel plate implant (Puddu plate = PP) used for medial knee osteoarthrosis (OA) treatment. Materials and methods Consecutive 70 MOWHTOs (66 patients) were performed between 01.01.2004 and 31.12.2008 with the mean follow-up time of 11.4 (SD 4.5; range 1.2–16.1) years. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to evaluate the cumulative survival of the implant in terms of age (< 50 years old and ≥ 50 years old) and gender. Adverse events were studied and Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate risk factors [age, gender, body mass index (BMI), preoperative mechanical axis, severity of OA, use of bone grafting or substitution and undercorrection of mechanical axis from varus to valgus] for revisions. Results The estimates for the cumulative survival with no need for TKA after MOWHTO were 86% at 5 years, 67% at 10 years and 58% at 16.1 years (SE 0.6, CI 95% 11.1–13.5). A total of 33/70 (47%) adverse events occurred and 38/70 (54%) knees required some revision surgery during the follow-up. Cox regression did not show any statistically significant risk factors for revision. Conclusions The PP has feasible MOWHTO results with a cumulative survival of 67% at 10 years with no need for conversion to TKA. Many adverse events occurred and revision rate due to any reason was high. Age or gender did not have statistically significant differences in terms of survival.

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Long-term effects of an intensive prevention program (IPP) after acute myocardial infarction – the IPP Follow-up and Prevention Boost Trial

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.2961 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

H Wienbergen ◽

A Fach ◽

S Meyer ◽

J Schmucker ◽

R Osteresch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Prevention Program ◽

Study Endpoint ◽

Funding Source ◽

Risk Factor Control ◽

One Year

Abstract Background The effects of an intensive prevention program (IPP) for 12 months following 3-week rehabilitation after myocardial infarction (MI) have been proven by the randomized IPP trial. The present study investigates if the effects of IPP persist one year after termination of the program and if a reintervention after >24 months (“prevention boost”) is effective. Methods In the IPP trial patients were recruited during hospitalization for acute MI and randomly assigned to IPP versus usual care (UC) one month after discharge (after 3-week rehabilitation). IPP was coordinated by non-physician prevention assistants and included intensive group education sessions, telephone calls, telemetric and clinical control of risk factors. Primary study endpoint was the IPP Prevention Score, a sum score evaluating six major risk factors. The score ranges from 0 to 15 points, with a score of 15 points indicating best risk factor control. In the present study the effects of IPP were investigated after 24 months – one year after termination of the program. Thereafter, patients of the IPP study arm with at least one insufficiently controlled risk factor were randomly assigned to a 2-months reintervention (“prevention boost”) vs. no reintervention. Results At long-term follow-up after 24 months, 129 patients of the IPP study arm were compared to 136 patients of the UC study arm. IPP was associated with a significantly better risk factor control compared to UC at 24 months (IPP Prevention Score 10.9±2.3 points in the IPP group vs. 9.4±2.3 points in the UC group, p<0.01). However, in the IPP group a decrease of risk factor control was observed at the 24-months visit compared to the 12-months visit at the end of the prevention program (IPP Prevention Score 10.9±2.3 points at 24 months vs. 11.6±2.2 points at 12 months, p<0.05, Figure 1). A 2-months reintervention (“prevention boost”) was effective to improve risk factor control during long-term course: IPP Prevention Score increased from 10.5±2.1 points to 10.7±1.9 points in the reintervention group, while it decreased from 10.5±2.1 points to 9.7±2.1 points in the group without reintervention (p<0.05 between the groups, Figure 1). Conclusions IPP was associated with a better risk factor control compared to UC during 24 months; however, a deterioration of risk factors after termination of IPP suggests that even a 12-months prevention program is not long enough. The effects of a short reintervention after >24 months (“prevention boost”) indicate the need for prevention concepts that are based on repetitive personal contacts during long-term course after coronary events. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Stiftung Bremer Herzen (Bremen Heart Foundation)

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Long Covid-19: Proposed Primary Care Clinical Guidelines for Diagnosis and Disease Management

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18084350 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 4350

Author(s):

Antoni Sisó-Almirall ◽

Pilar Brito-Zerón ◽

Laura Conangla Ferrín ◽

Belchin Kostov ◽

Anna Moragas Moreno ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Disease Management ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

Diagnostic Process ◽

Press Releases ◽

Expert Opinions ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Patient Groups

Long COVID-19 may be defined as patients who, four weeks after the diagnosis of SARS-Cov-2 infection, continue to have signs and symptoms not explainable by other causes. The estimated frequency is around 10% and signs and symptoms may last for months. The main long-term manifestations observed in other coronaviruses (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)) are very similar to and have clear clinical parallels with SARS-CoV-2: mainly respiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuropsychiatric. The growing number of patients worldwide will have an impact on health systems. Therefore, the main objective of these clinical practice guidelines is to identify patients with signs and symptoms of long COVID-19 in primary care through a protocolized diagnostic process that studies possible etiologies and establishes an accurate differential diagnosis. The guidelines have been developed pragmatically by compiling the few studies published so far on long COVID-19, editorials and expert opinions, press releases, and the authors’ clinical experience. Patients with long COVID-19 should be managed using structured primary care visits based on the time from diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Based on the current limited evidence, disease management of long COVID-19 signs and symptoms will require a holistic, longitudinal follow up in primary care, multidisciplinary rehabilitation services, and the empowerment of affected patient groups.

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Peripheral atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm as a new risk factors of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with stable CAD receiving long-term antithrombotic therapy

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology ◽

10.1093/eurjpc/zwab061.130 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

V Korobkova ◽

AL Komarov ◽

OO Shakhmatova ◽

MV Andreevskaya ◽

EB Yarovaya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Antithrombotic Therapy ◽

Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding ◽

Atherosclerotic Burden ◽

Abdominal Aortic ◽

Stable Cad ◽

Upper Gastrointestinal

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is the most common hemorrhagic complication in stable CAD patients receiving antithrombotic therapy. It seems that atherosclerotic burden may increase the overall bleeding frequency. However, this factor has never been taken into account with UGIB risk assessment. We aimed to assess the predictive value of atherosclerotic burden (peripheral atherosclerosis – PAD and abdominal aortic aneurysm - AAA) for UGIB in patients with stable CAD receiving long-term antithrombotic therapy. Patients and Methods. A single center prospective Registry of Long-term AnTithrombotic TherApy (REGATTA-1 NCT04347200) included 934 pts with stable CAD (78.6% males, median age 61 [IQR 53-68] yrs). 77,3 % of patients received dual antiplatelet therapy due to recent PCI with a switch to aspirin monotherapy after 6 months. 17,6% of patients received aspirin only, 5,1 % of patients received oral anticoagulants because of concomitant atrial fibrillation. Risk assessment of UGIB was performed according to the 2015 European Society of Cardiology guidelines (we were not able to identify only Helicobacter pylori infection). Additional ultrasound screening for PAD (lower limbs and cerebrovascular beds) and AAA was applied. The primary outcome was any overt UGIB (BARC ≥2). Results The frequency of PAD was 18,8%, AAA – 2,4%, PAD and/or AAA - 20,5%. In a total 2335 person-years of follow-up (median follow-up - 2,5 yrs, IQR 1,1 – 5.1), UGIB occurred in 51 patients (incidence at 1 year 1,9 per 100 patients). The median time to first occurrence of UGIB was 72 [IQR 13-214] days. Comparing the Kaplan-Meyer curves, the UGIB developed three times more often in patients with coexisted PAD and/or AAA vs isolated CAD (19.8% vs 6.5%, Log-Rank p = 0.00006). The difference remains consisted in regression model taking in account 2015 ESC panel of UGIB risk factors (OR 3.4; CI 1.7–6.9, p = 0,0005). Conclusions Atherosclerotic burden (concomitant PAD and/or AAA) is an independent predictor of UGIB in patients with stable CAD receiving long-term antithrombotic therapy.

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Risk of hemorrhage from de novo cerebral aneurysms

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/2012.9.jns111512 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 118 (1) ◽

pp. 58-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

William J. Kemp ◽

Daniel H. Fulkerson ◽

Troy D. Payner ◽

Thomas J. Leipzig ◽

Terry G. Horner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

De Novo ◽

Patient Age ◽

Patient Âgé ◽

Long Term Follow Up ◽

De Novo Aneurysm ◽

The Mean ◽

Risk Of Hemorrhage

Object A small percentage of patients will develop a completely new or de novo aneurysm after discovery of an initial aneurysm. The natural history of these lesions is unknown. The authors undertook this statistical evaluation a large cohort of patients with both ruptured and unruptured de novo aneurysms with the aim of analyzing risk factors for rupture and estimating a risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods A review of a prospectively maintained database of all aneurysm patients treated by the vascular neurosurgery service of Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine from 1976–2010 was performed. Of the 4718 patients, 611 (13%) had long-term follow-up imaging. The authors identified 27 patients (4.4%) with a total of 32 unruptured de novo aneurysms from routine surveillance imaging. They identified another 10 patients who presented with a new SAH from a de novo aneurysm after treatment of their original aneurysm. The total study group was thus 37 patients with a total of 42 de novo aneurysms. The authors then compared the 27 patients with incidentally discovered aneurysms with the 10 patients with SAH. A statistical analysis was performed, comparing the 2 groups with respect to patient and aneurysm characteristics and risk factors. Results Thirty-seven patients were identified as having true de novo aneurysms. This group had a female predominance and a high percentage of smokers. These 37 patients had a total of 42 de novo aneurysms. Ten of these 42 aneurysms hemorrhaged. De novo aneurysms in both the SAH and non-SAH group were anatomically small (< 10 mm). The estimated risk of hemorrhage over 5 years was 14.5%, higher than the expected SAH risk of small, unruptured aneurysms reported in the ISUIA (International Study of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms) trial. There was no statistically significant correlation between hemorrhage and any of the following risk factors: hypertension, diabetes, tobacco and alcohol use, polycystic kidney disease, or previous SAH. There was a statistically significant between-groups difference with respect to patient age, with the mean patient age being significantly older in the SAH aneurysm group than in the non-SAH group (p = 0.047). This is likely reflective of longer follow-up and discovery time, as the mean length of time between initial treatment and discovery of the de novo aneurysm was longer in the SAH group (p = 0.011). Conclusions While rare, de novo aneurysms may have a risk for SAH that is comparatively higher than the risk associated with similarly sized, small, initially discovered unruptured saccular aneurysms. The authors therefore recommend long-term follow-up for all patients with aneurysms, and they consider a more aggressive treatment strategy for de novo aneurysms than for incidentally discovered initial aneurysms.

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