External validation of three diabetes prediction scores in a Spanish cohort: does adding high risk for depression improve the validation of the FINDRISC score (FINDRISC-MOOD)?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the external validity of the FINDRISC, DESIR and ADA risk scores for the prediction of diabetes in a Spanish population aged >45 years and to test the possible improvement of FINDRISC by adding a new variable of high risk of depression when Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) questionnaire score ≥10 (FINDRISC-MOOD). DESIGN: Prospective population-based cohort study. SETTING: 10 primary healthcare centres in the north of the city of Madrid (Spain). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1242 participants without a history of diabetes and with 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) plasma glucose <200 mg/dL (<11.1 mmol/L) were followed up for 7.3 years (median) using their electronic health records (EHRs) and telephone contact. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Diabetes risk scores (FINDRISC, DESIR, ADA), PHQ-9 questionnaire and 2-hour-OGTT were measured at baseline. Incident diabetes was defined as treatment for diabetes, fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL (≥7.0 mmol/L), new EHR diagnosis or self-reported diagnosis. External validation was performed according to optimal cut-off, sensitivity, specificity and Youden Index. Comparison between diabetes risk scores, including FINDRISC-MOOD (original FINDRISC score plus five points if PHQ-9 ≥10), was measured by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). RESULTS: During follow-up, 104 (8.4%; 95% CI, 6.8 to 9.9) participants developed diabetes and 185 had a PHQ-9 score ≥10. The AUROC values were 0.70 (95% CI, 0.67 to 0.72) for FINDRISC-MOOD and 0.68 (95% CI, 0.65 to 0.71) for the original FINDRISC. The AUROCs for DESIR and ADA were 0.66 (95% CI, 0.63 to 0.68) and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.63 to 0.69), respectively. There were no significant differences in AUROC between FINDRISC-MOOD and the other scores. CONCLUSIONS: The results of FINDRISC-MOOD were like those of the other risk scores and do not allow it to be recommended for clinical use.

Population-based cross-sectional study of 11 645 Spanish nonagenarians with type 2 diabetes mellitus: cardiovascular profile, cardiovascular preventive therapies, achievement goals and sex differences.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the risk profile, achievement of cardiometabolic goals, and frequency and optimal use of cardiovascular preventive therapies among nonagenarians with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). To investigate possible sex differences. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional population study of 11 645 persons aged ≥90 years with T2DM living in Madrid (Spain). Sociodemographic, clinical and therapy profiles were collected through electronic records in primary care. We considered antihypertensive therapy and lipid-lowering therapy to be optimal when known patients with hypertension with albuminuria received renin-angiotensin system blockers and statins had been prescribed for overt cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: The prevalence of coronary artery disease was higher in males than in females (21.5% vs 12.6%, p<0.01), as was that of peripheral artery disease (8.5% vs 2.3%, p<0.01). However, the prevalence of cerebrovascular disease was similar in both sexes (16.5% vs 16%; p=0.44). Haemoglobin A1c was lower than 7% in 64.4% of cases, with female predominance in patients with known dementia (67.1% female vs 59.9% male; p<0.01). Antiplatelet therapy was significantly more frequent in males than in females (48.1% vs 44.3%; p<0.01), as were statins (43.2% vs 40.2%; p<0.01). Both in primary and in secondary prevention, rates for simultaneous achievement of the HbA1c, blood pressure, LDL-C goals were significantly lower among females (p<0.01). For each criterion of optimal use of cardiovascular preventive therapies, adherence was significantly better in males than in females. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the risk of cerebrovascular disease was similar in both male and female Spanish nonagenarians. Adherence was poorer in females for all criteria of optimal use of cardiovascular preventive therapies. Our findings indicate that the known sex differences in younger patients with T2DM persist in patients aged ≥90 years. There is considerable room for improvement in standards of preventive care in nonagenarians with T2DM, especially in females.

[Lipid-lowering drugs and PCSK9]. / Fármacos hipolipemiantes y PCSK9.

PCSK9 is a protease, synthesized mainly in the liver, which promotes the hepatic degradation of the LDL receptor and consequently decreases LDL receptor density and clearance of LDL particles. Statins inhibit HMG-CoA-reductase activity, an enzyme that catalyses an important step in hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis. The decrease of the hepatic intracellular cholesterol pool produced by these drugs upregulates the activity of the SREBP2 transcription factor, which subsequently stimulates the expression of the LDL receptor gene, an effect that is followed by an increase in the serum concentration of PCSK9. This article aims to review the effects of different lipid-lowering drugs on plasma PCSK9 concentrations. Overall, statins increase blood PCSK9 levels, an effect that is enhanced by ezetimibe. In contrast, others drugs, such as fibrates and niacin, could decrease PCSK9 levels.

Fármacos hipolipemiantes y PCSK9 / Lipid-lowering drugs and PCSK9

PCSK9 (proproteína convertasa subtilisina/kexina tipo 9) es una proteasa producida principalmente en el hígado, que promueve la degradación del receptor de lipoproteínas de baja densidad (rLDL) y, consecuentemente, disminuye su cuantía favoreciendo el aclaramiento de las partículas de LDL. Las estatinas son fármacos que inhiben la enzima HMG-CoA-reductasa, una enzima que cataliza un paso importante en la biosíntesis hepática de colesterol. El descenso del colesterol intracelular hepático producido por estos fármacos se acompaña de un aumento de la actividad del factor de transcripción SREBP2, que conduce al incremento de la expresión génica del rLDL. Al mismo tiempo, este efecto provoca un incremento de PCSK9. El objetivo del presente trabajo es señalar el efecto de los distintos fármacos hipocolesterolemiantes sobre las concentraciones plasmáticas de PCSK9. En términos generales, las estatinas provocan una regulación al alza de PCSK9 y la ezetimiba incrementa este efecto. Por el contrario, otros fármacos como los Þbratos y la niacina pueden disminuir los valores de PCSK9

PCSK9 is a protease, synthesized mainly in the liver, which promotes the hepatic degradation of the LDL receptor and consequently decreases LDL receptor density and clearance of LDL particles. Statins inhibit HMG-CoA-reductase activity, an enzyme that catalyses an important step in hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis. The decrease of the hepatic intracellular cholesterol pool produced by these drugs upregulates the activity of the SREBP2 transcription factor, which subsequently stimulates the expression of the LDL receptor gene, an effect that is followed by an increase in the serum concentration of PCSK9. This article aims to review the effects of different lipid-lowering drugs on plasma PCSK9 concentrations. Overall, statins increase blood PCSK9 levels, an effect that is enhanced by ezetimibe. In contrast, others drugs, such as Þbrates and niacin, could decrease PCSK9 levels

[Patients' understanding of the dietetic and pharmacological treatment of hypercholesterolaemia and its relationship with the achievement of objectives in patients receiving statins: OPINA study]. / Conocimiento sobre el tratamiento dietético y farmacológico de la hipercolesterolemia y su relación con el control de objetivos en pacientes que reciben estatinas: estudio OPINA.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the understanding of patients receiving statins about the dietary and therapeutic measures taken to control their cholesterol and to relate this to the achievement of therapy objectives. DESIGN: Transversal, multi-centre study, conducted between March and November, 2004. SETTING: Three-hundred seventy six primary care and specialist doctors from all over the country. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2347 patients, with an average age of 59 (12) and 48% women, being treated with statins. METHOD: Survey to evaluate understanding of lipid-lowering diet and pharmacological treatment. The percentage of patients achieving therapy objectives in line with ATP III guidelines was determined. RESULTS: Understanding of diet was adequate only for foods with negative effects on the concentration of cholesterol. Overall, understanding was better in the young, those with a higher level of education, those with hyperlipaemia originating in the family, those under treatment for longer, and in those attended in primary care or internal medicine clinics; it was worse in diabetic patients and in those with cardiovascular disease. Patients with more understanding of their treatment reached their therapy objectives to a greater extent. CONCLUSION: Patients receiving statins treatment have an adequate understanding of diet, but little information on pharmacological treatment. This understanding is associated with the achievement of therapy objectives.

Conocimiento sobre el tratamiento dietético y farmacológico de la hipercolesterolemia y su relación con el control de objetivos en pacientes que reciben estatinas: estudio OPINA / Patients’ understanding of the dietetic and pharmacological treatment of hypercholesterolaemia and its relationship with the achievement of objectives in patients receiving statins: OPINA study

Objetivo. Evaluar el conocimiento de los sujetos que reciben tratamiento con estatinas sobre las medidas dietéticas y terapéuticas dirigidas a su control, relacionándolo con la consecución de objetivos terapéuticos. Diseño. Estudio transversal, multicéntrico, realizado entre marzo y noviembre de 2004. Emplazamiento. En total, 376 médicos de atención primaria y especializada distribuidos por toda la geografía nacional. Participantes. Se incluyó a 2.347 sujetos, con una edad media de 59 ± 12 años, el 48%, mujeres, y en tratamiento con estatinas. Método. Encuesta dirigida a evaluar el conocimiento sobre la dieta hipolipidemiante y el tratamiento farmacológico. Se determinó el porcentaje de sujetos que alcanzó los objetivos terapéuticos según el ATP III. Resultados. El conocimiento de la dieta era adecuado sólo para los alimentos con efectos negativos sobre la concentración de colesterol. Globalmente, el conocimiento fue mejor en los sujetos jóvenes, con un superior nivel de educación, con una hiperlipidemia de origen familiar, con más tiempo en tratamiento y que eran atendidos en consultas de atención primaria o medicina interna, y peor en los pacientes diabéticos y con enfermedad cardiovascular. Los sujetos con un mayor nivel de conocimientos sobre el tratamiento alcanzaron en mayor proporción los objetivos terapéuticos. Conclusión. Los pacientes que reciben tratamiento con estatinas tienen un adecuado conocimiento de la dieta y escasa información sobre el tratamiento farmacológico. Este conocimiento se asocia con la consecución de objetivos terapéuticos

Objective. To evaluate the understanding of patients receiving statins about the dietary and therapeutic measures taken to control their cholesterol and to relate this to the achievement of therapy objectives. Design. Transversal, multi-centre study, conducted between March and November, 2004. Setting. Three-hundred seventy six primary care and specialist doctors from all over the country. Participants. A total of 2347 patients, with an average age of 59 (12) and 48% women, being treated with statins. Method. Survey to evaluate understanding of lipid-lowering diet and pharmacological treatment. The percentage of patients achieving therapy objectives in line with ATP III guidelines was determined. Results. Understanding of diet was adequate only for foods with negative effects on the concentration of cholesterol. Overall, understanding was better in the young, those with a higher level of education, those with hyperlipaemia originating in the family, those under treatment for longer, and in those attended in primary care or internal medicine clinics; it was worse in diabetic patients and in those with cardiovascular disease. Patients with more understanding of their treatment reached their therapy objectives to a greater extent. Conclusion. Patients receiving statins treatment have an adequate understanding of diet, but little information on pharmacological treatment. This understanding is associated with the achievement of therapy objectives

Evidence-based cardiovascular therapies and achievement of therapeutic goals in diabetic patients with coronary heart disease attended in primary care.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic patients have a higher rate of recurrent cardiovascular events and death than nondiabetic individuals. Although partially attributable to lower use of evidence-based preventive therapies, studies are lacking on the prescription rate during the stable phase of the disease. METHODS: Between June 1 and October 19, 2004, we obtained, from 1799 primary care centers throughout Spain, data on 8817 subjects (mean age 65.4 years, 73.7% male, 32.7% with diabetes) who had had a coronary event requiring hospitalization in the previous 6 months to 10 years. RESULTS: After adjustment for confounding variables, the diabetic patients received more frequent treatment with angiotensin-renin system blockers (73.5% vs 61%, P < .001), calcium channel blockers (29.8% vs 21.9%, P < .001), nitrates (58% vs 47.5%, P < .001), digoxin (6.6% vs 3.9%, P < .001), and diuretics (46.2% vs 32.2%, P < .001), but it is similar with respect to lipid-lowering drugs (81.1% vs 80.3%), antiplatelet drugs (80.2% vs 80.2%), or beta-blockers (45.4% vs 47.7%). The percentage of diabetic subjects attaining objectives for smoking habit, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, and glycated hemoglobin were 90.7%, 29%, 38.2%, and 49.7%, respectively. Only 7% had optimum control of all their risk factors. The parameters most closely related to optimum treatment and risk-factor control were the specialist follow-up and the attending physician's awareness of appropriate treatment objectives. CONCLUSIONS: A significant percentage of diabetic patients with stable coronary disease receive evidence-based preventive medications in primary care. However, the percentage achieving adequate control of their risk factors is low and is related to the level of physician awareness of appropriate therapeutic targets.