The impact of diabetes and subclinical hypothyroidism association with coronary artery calcium: results from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

ABSTRACT Objective: We aimed to analyze the association of diabetes and subclinical hypothyroidism with subclinical atherosclerosis measured by coronary artery calcium (CAC) in the baseline of the ELSA-Brasil study. Materials and methods: CAC was measured using a 64-detector computed tomographic scanner. The association of CAC > 0 was presented as an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) in logistic models and as β (95%CI) in linear models after multivariable adjustment for confounders. Results: We analyzed 3,809 participants (mean-age (SD) 50.5 (8.8); 51.7% women). In the main analysis, we did not find an association of diabetes and subclinical hypothyroidism with CAC. However, in stratified analysis according to age strata, we found no significative interaction terms, an important heterogeneity between the groups, with the younger age strata showing an association of the group with both diseases and CAC > 0 (OR 7.16; 95%CI, 1.14; 44.89) with a wide but significative 95%CI, suggesting that the smaller number of participants in the younger group may influence the results. Our findings also showed an association of CAC > 0 and log (CAC+1) with diabetes in logistic (OR, 1.31; 95%CI, 1.05-1.63) and linear models (β, 0.24, 0.16, 0.40), respectively. Diabetes was independently associated with CAC > 0 in linear models. Discussion: In conclusion, our results showed a great heterogeneity in stratified analysis based on age in the younger age strata. Although we found no significant interaction factors, the smaller sample size for the analysis may influence the negative findings.

Custo-Efetividade do Emprego do Escore de Cálcio Coronariano na Orientação para a Decisão Terapêutica na Prevenção Primária, na População Brasileira / Cost-Effectiveness of Using the Coronary Artery Calcium Score in Guiding Therapeutic Decisions in Primary Prevention in the Brazilian Population

Resumo Fundamento: O emprego do escore de cálcio no auxílio da estratificação de risco cardiovascular pode ser ferramenta com melhor custo-efetividade em comparação à estratégia convencional. Objetivos: Avaliação da custo-efetividade do emprego do escore de cálcio na orientação terapêutica para a prevenção primária cardiovascular. Métodos: Modelo de microssimulação para avaliar as consequências clínicas e econômicas da doença cardiovascular aterosclerótica, comparando-se a estratégia de prevenção pelo uso do escore de cálcio e a estratégia convencional. Resultados: Resultados obtidos demonstram melhor custo-efetividade da estratégia terapêutica guiada pelo escore de cálcio, por meio da redução do custo incremental, e aumento nos anos de vida ajustados por qualidade (QALY), que corresponde, em número, ao benefício incorporado à qualidade de vida do indivíduo. Conclusões: O emprego do escore de cálcio mostrou-se mais custo-efetivo que a estratégia convencional tanto em custo como em QALY, na maioria dos cenários estudados.

Abstract Background: The use of the coronary artery calcium score to aid cardiovascular risk stratification may be a more cost-effective tool than the conventional strategy. Objectives: Evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of the use of the calcium score in therapeutic guidance for primary cardiovascular prevention. Methods: A microsimulation model to assess the clinical and economic consequences of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, comparing the prevention strategy using the calcium score and the conventional strategy. Results: The results obtained demonstrated a better cost-effectiveness of the therapeutic strategy guided by the calcium score, by reducing incremental costs and increasing quality-adjusted life years (QALY), which corresponds, in number, to improving the quality of life of the individual. Conclusions: The use of the coronary artery calcium score proved to be more cost-effective than the conventional strategy, both in terms of cost and QALY, in most of the scenarios studied.

Atualização do diagnóstico e tratamento do tromboembolismo pulmo / Update on diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary thromboembolism

A embolia pulmonar e a trombose venosa profunda são doenças com mesma base fisiopatogênica, denominada tromboembolismo venoso. Em 90% dos casos, os trombos originam-se no sistema da veia cava inferior, especialmente acima dos joelhos e pelve, alojando-se em ramos principais e segmentares dos pulmões, geralmentenos lobos inferiores. Nos Estados Unidos, é a terceira causa de óbito cardiovascular (seguida do infarto do miocárdio e acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico), com incidência anual estimada de 500.000 casos e 100.000 óbitos. A mortalidade hospitalar varia de 1% a 30%, dependendo das repercussões hemodinâmicas e da condição clínica do paciente. O diagnóstico e tratamento precoce reduzem a mortalidade hospitalar (disfunção e falência do ventrículo direito/hipoxemia) bem como suas principais complicações tardias: hipertensão pulmonar crônica, síndrome pós-trombótica, flegmasia alba dolens e cerulea dolens. O prognóstico poderá ser modificado adotando-se medidas preventivas, identificação e tratamento em tempo hábil, além da anticoagulação oral por período adequado...

Pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis are diseases with same physiopathogenic base, called venous thromboembolism. In 90% of cases, thrombi originate in the inferior vena cava system, especially above the knees and pelvis, lodging in the main and segmental branches of the lungs, usually in the lower lobes. In the United States, it is the third leading cause of cardiovascular death (followed by myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke), with estimated annual incidence of 500,000 cases and 100,000 deaths. The hospital mortality rate ranges from 1% to 30%, depending on the hemodynamic effects and clinical condition of the patient. Early diagnosis and treatment reduce hospital mortality (dysfunction and failure of the right ventricle/hypoxemia) and its main late complications: chronic pulmonary hypertension, post-thrombotic syndrome, phlegmasia alba dolens and cerulea dolens. The prognosis may be modified by adopting preventive measures, identification and treatment in a timely manner, as well as oral anticoagulation for an adequate period...