Accessing medical care for infertility: a study of women in Mexico.

Objective: To investigate barriers in accessing care for infertility in Mexico, because little is known about this issue for low and middle-income countries, which comprise 80% of the world's population. Design: Cross-sectional analysis. Setting: Mexcian Teachers' Cohort. Patients: A total of 115,315 female public school teachers from 12 states in Mexico. Interventions: None. Main Outcome Measures: The participants were asked detailed questions about their demographics, lifestyle characteristics, access to the health care system, and infertility history via a self-reported questionnaire. Log-binomial models, adjusted a priori for potential confounding factors, were used to estimate the prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) of accessing medical care for infertility among women reporting a history of infertility. Results: A total of 19,580 (17%) participants reported a history of infertility. Of those who experienced infertility, 12,470 (63.7%) reported seeking medical care for infertility, among whom 8,467 (67.9%) reported undergoing fertility treatments. Among women who reported a history of infertility, women who taught in a rural school (PR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.92-0.97), spoke an indigenous language (PR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.84-0.92), or had less than a university degree (PR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.90-0.97) were less likely to access medical care for fertility. Women who had ever had a mammogram (PR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.05-1.10), had a pap smear in the past year (PR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06-1.10), or who had used private health care regularly or in times of illness were more likely to access medical care for fertility. Conclusions: The usage of infertility care varied by demographic, lifestyle, and access characteristics, including speaking an indigenous language, teaching in a rural school, and having a private health care provider.

'Real-world' observational studies in arrhythmia research: data sources, methodology, and interpretation. A position document from European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), endorsed by Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), Asia-Pacific HRS (APHRS), and Latin America HRS (LAHRS)

The field of observational studies or "real world studies" is in rapid development with many new techniques introduced and increased understanding of traditional methods. For this reason, the current paper provides an overview of current methods with focus on new techniques. Some highlights can be emphasized: We provide an overview of sources of data for observational studies. There is an overview of sources of bias and confounding. Next There is an overview of causal inference techniques that are increasingly used. The most commonly used techniques for statistical modelling are reviewed with focus on the important distinction of risk versus prediction. The final section provides examples of common problems with reporting observational data.

Permanent pacemaker use among patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction: Findings from the Acute Decompensated Heart Failure National Registry (ADHERE) National Registry.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction may be associated with chronotropic incompetence, but little is known about the incidence and prevalence of permanent pacemaker use in this population or factors associated with its use. METHODS: We analyzed patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (ie, left ventricular ejection fraction greater than 40%) from the ADHERE registry (2001-2006) linked with Medicare claims. We described the use of both prevalent and incident permanent pacemakers in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and determined factors associated with pacemaker use with logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among 13,881 patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, 3136 (22.6%) had a permanent pacemaker, and of these patients, 636 had a permanent pacemaker implanted during hospitalization. Permanent pacemaker use was more common among older patients (81 vs 79 years; P < .001), men (38% vs 34%; P < .001), patients with atrial fibrillation (58% vs 36%; P < .001), and patients with wider QRS duration (140 ms vs 94 ms; P < .001). Rates of digoxin, aldosterone antagonist, and loop diuretic use were slightly higher in patients with a permanent pacemaker compared with patients with no permanent pacemaker. Factors associated with both prevalent and incident pacemaker use included age, fast or slow heart rate, atrial fibrillation, and lower body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Use of permanent pacemakers is relatively common among patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Training cardiovascular outcomes researchers: A survey of mentees and mentors to identify critical training gaps and needs.

BACKGROUND: Many young investigators are interested in cardiovascular (CV) outcomes research; however, the current training experience of early investigators across the United States is uncertain. METHODS: From April to November 2014, we surveyed mentees and mentors of early-stage CV outcomes investigators across the United States. We contacted successful grantees of government agencies, members of professional organizations, and trainees in CV outcomes training programs. RESULTS: A total of 185 (of 662) mentees and 76 (of 541) mentors completed the survey. Mentees were equally split by sex; most had completed training >3 years before completing the survey and were clinicians. Mentors were more likely women, mostly ≥20 years posttraining, and at an associate/full professor rank. Mentors reported devoting more time currently to clinical work than when they were early in their career and mentoring 2-4 people simultaneously. More than 80% of mentees started training to become academicians and completed training with the same goal. More than 70% of mentees desired at least 50% research time in future jobs. More than 80% of mentors believed that future investigators would need more than 50% time dedicated to research. Most mentees (80%) were satisfied with their relationship with their mentor and reported having had opportunities to develop independently. Mentors more frequently than mentees reported that funding cutbacks had negatively affected mentees' ability to succeed (84% vs 58%). Across funding mechanisms, mentees were more optimistic than mentors about securing funding. Both mentees and mentors reported greatest preparedness for job/career satisfaction (79% for both) and publications (84% vs 92%) and least preparedness for future financial stability (48% vs 46%) and work-life balance (47% vs 42%). CONCLUSIONS: Survey findings may stimulate future discourse and research on how best to attract, train, and retain young investigators in CV outcomes research. Insights may help improve existing training programs and inform the design of new ones.

The Metabolic Syndrome and Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have demonstrated a link between the metabolic syndrome and increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. Whether the metabolic syndrome is associated with sudden cardiac death is uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS: We characterized the relationship between sudden cardiac death and metabolic syndrome status among participants of the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) Study (1987-2012) free of prevalent coronary heart disease or heart failure. Among 13 168 participants, 357 (2.7%) sudden cardiac deaths occurred during a median follow-up of 23.6 years. Participants with the metabolic syndrome (n=4444) had a higher cumulative incidence of sudden cardiac death than those without it (n=8724) (4.1% versus 2.3%, P<0.001). After adjustment for participant demographics and clinical factors other than components of the metabolic syndrome, the metabolic syndrome was independently associated with sudden cardiac death (hazard ratio, 1.70, 95% confidence interval, 1.37-2.12, P<0.001). This relationship was not modified by sex (interaction P=0.10) or race (interaction P=0.62) and was mediated by the metabolic syndrome criteria components. The risk of sudden cardiac death varied according to the number of metabolic syndrome components (hazard ratio 1.31 per additional component of the metabolic syndrome, 95% confidence interval, 1.19-1.44, P<0.001). Of the 5 components, elevated blood pressure, impaired fasting glucose, and low high-density lipoprotein were independently associated with sudden cardiac death. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that the metabolic syndrome was associated with a significantly increased risk of sudden cardiac death irrespective of sex or race. The risk of sudden cardiac death was proportional to the number of metabolic syndrome components.

Amiodarone, anticoagulation, and clinical events in patients with atrial fibrillation: insights from the ARISTOTLE trial.

BACKGROUND: Amiodarone is an effective medication in preventing atrial fibrillation (AF), but it interferes with the metabolism of warfarin. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to examine the association of major thrombotic clinical events and bleeding with the use of amiodarone in the ARISTOTLE (Apixaban for Reduction in Stroke and Other Thromboembolic Events in Atrial Fibrillation) trial. METHODS: Baseline characteristics of patients who received amiodarone at randomization were compared with those who did not receive amiodarone. The interaction between randomized treatment and amiodarone was tested using a Cox model, with main effects for randomized treatment and amiodarone and their interaction. Matching on the basis of a propensity score was used to compare patients who received and who did not receive amiodarone at the time of randomization. RESULTS: In ARISTOTLE, 2,051 (11.4%) patients received amiodarone at randomization. Patients on warfarin and amiodarone had time in the therapeutic range that was lower than patients not on amiodarone (56.5% vs. 63.0%; p < 0.0001). More amiodarone-treated patients had a stroke or a systemic embolism (1.58%/year vs. 1.19%/year; adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03 to 2.10; p = 0.0322). Overall mortality and major bleeding rates were elevated, but were not significantly different in amiodarone-treated patients and patients not on amiodarone. When comparing apixaban with warfarin, patients who received amiodarone had a stroke or a systemic embolism rate of 1.24%/year versus 1.85%/year (HR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.40 to 1.15), death of 4.15%/year versus 5.65%/year (HR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.55 to 0.98), and major bleeding of 1.86%/year versus 3.06%/year (HR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39 to 0.96). In patients who did not receive amiodarone, the stroke or systemic embolism rate was 1.29%/year versus 1.57%/year (HR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.68 to 1.00), death was 3.43%/year versus 3.68%/year (HR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.83 to 1.05), and major bleeding was 2.18%/year versus 3.03%/year (HR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.62 to 0.84). The interaction p values for amiodarone use by apixaban treatment effects were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Amiodarone use was associated with significantly increased stroke and systemic embolism risk and a lower time in the therapeutic range when used with warfarin. Apixaban consistently reduced the rate of stroke and systemic embolism, death, and major bleeding compared with warfarin in amiodarone-treated patients and patients who were not on amiodarone.

Amiodarone, Anticoagulation, and Clinical Events in Patients With Atrial FibrillationInsights From the ARISTOTLE Trial

Amiodarone is an effective medication in preventing atrial fibrillation (AF), but it interferes with the metabolism of warfarin.Objectives This study sought to examine the association of major thrombotic clinical events and bleeding with the use of amiodarone in the ARISTOTLE (Apixaban for Reduction in Stroke and Other Thromboembolic Events in Atrial Fibrillation) trial.Methods Baseline characteristics of patients who received amiodarone at randomization were compared with those who did not receive amiodarone. The interaction between randomized treatment and amiodarone was tested using a Cox model, with main effects for randomized treatment and amiodarone and their interaction. Matching on the basis of a propensity score was used to compare patients who received and who did not receive amiodarone at the time of randomization.Results In ARISTOTLE, 2,051 (11.4%) patients received amiodarone at randomization. Patients on warfarin and amiodarone had time in the therapeutic range that was lower than patients not on amiodarone (56.5% vs. 63.0%; p < 0.0001). More amiodarone-treated patients had a stroke or a systemic embolism (1.58%/year vs. 1.19%/year; adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03 to 2.10; p = 0.0322). Overall mortality and major bleeding rates were elevated, but were not significantly different in amiodarone-treated patients and patients not on amiodarone. When comparing apixaban with warfarin, patients who received amiodarone had a stroke or a systemic embolism rate of 1.24%/year versus 1.85%/year (HR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.40 to 1.15), death of 4.15%/year versus 5.65%/year (HR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.55 to 0.98)...

Comparative observations of mucus transport velocity in health and disease

The present study evaluated mucus transport velocity (MTV) in different areas of the tracheobronchial tree in vitro in normal, acute and chronic bronchitic animals. The average MTV in animals ranged from 11.5 mm/min in the trachea to 0.64 mm/min in the pre-terminal bronchus. Chronic bronchitic animals showed mucus hypersecretion, areas of ciliary abnormality and mucus stagnation. The mean transport velocities ranged from 21.2 mm/min in the trachea to 4.1 mm/min in the pre-terminal bronchus. In the acutely ill animals, MTV ranged from 2.5 mm/min in the trachea to zero below the upper lobar bronchus. It is postulated that the higher than normal values in chronic bronchitis are due to altered mucus rheology, increased peristalsis and linear acceleration; whereas those in acute bronchitis were attributed to an early phase of viral or bacterial infection. (AU)