Soluble urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor (suPAR) mediates the effect of a lower education level on adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease.

AIMS: To investigate whether the adverse impact of lower educational attainment on mortality risk in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is mediated by the activation of inflammatory and immune pathways, estimated as elevated soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor levels. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 3164 patients undergoing coronary angiography, we investigated multivariable associations between suPAR and educational attainment and assessed the relationship between a lower educational level (defined as a high-school degree or less as the highest educational qualification) and outcomes using Cox proportional hazard and Fine and Gray's subdistribution competing risk models. The potential mediating effect through suPAR and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was assessed using mediation analysis. A total of 1814 patients (57.3%) had achieved a higher (≥college) education level and 1350 patients (42.7%) a lower (≤high school) education level. Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor levels were 9.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 6.3-11.8, P ≤ 0.0001] higher in patients with lower educational qualifications than in those with higher educational qualifications after covariate adjustment. Lower educational attainment was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular death after adjustment for demographic, clinical, and behavioural covariates, including CAD severity and heart failure history, medication use, and hs-CRP levels [hazard ratio 1.26 (95% CI 1.02-1.55, P = 0.03)]. However, after adjustment for suPAR levels, the effect of a lower educational level on cardiovascular death became insignificant. Values were similar for all-cause death. Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor levels mediated 49% and hs-CRP levels 17% of the cardiovascular death risk attributable to lower educational attainment. CONCLUSION: Circulating suPAR levels importantly mediate the effects of lower educational attainment on mortality, indicating the importance of systemic inflammation and immune dysregulation as biologic mediators of adverse social determinants of health.

In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), we demonstrate that nearly half of the higher risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality associated with lower educational attainment as a measure of socioeconomic status is mediated by systemic inflammation and immune dysregulation, which can be estimated by measuring the circulating soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) levels. Even after accounting for differences in cardiovascular risk factors, lower educational attainment is associated with higher mortality risk in patients with CAD and there is activation of inflammatory pathways and immune dysregulation in those with lower (≤high school) educational attainment than in those with higher (≥college) educational attainment, estimated as higher circulating suPAR levels.Almost half of the higher risk for adverse outcomes observed in those with lower educational attainment appears to be due to systemic inflammation and immune dysregulation and can be estimated from measuring suPAR levels.

Comprehensive overview of COVID-19 clinical trials.

Here, we present an overview of the clinical trials that are currently being conducted or have concluded to date on COVID-19 globally. A comprehensive search was conducted to present 16 trial registries from around the world. Collectively, there are 1,528 trials reported for COVID-19 to date. Out of them, 50 studies included paediatric age group from day 0 to less than or equal to 18 years of age. A few 18 studies involve only females and 20 only males. There are 2 trials currently underway in Bangladesh, 4 in Pakistan and 13 in India. Overall, 940 trials are related to medicines and/or interventions. They include standard of care for any viral illness, antivirals, anti-inflammatory and immune altering medications. Two out of 10 vaccine trials are novel vaccines. It is knowledgeable and resourceful to reach out to the concerned sponsor if a physician thinks his patient can benefit from the trials in the region.