Treatment and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in patients with hypercholesterolaemia or mixed dyslipidaemia at high or very high cardiovascular risk: a population-based cross-sectional study in the Netherlands.

Objective: To describe treatment patterns, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) in the Netherlands in 2018 of patients with hypercholesterolaemia or mixed dyslipidaemia at high or very high cardiovascular (CV) risk.

Methods: From the PHARMO Database Network adult patients with a diagnosis or receiving lipid lowering therapy (LLT) between 2009 and 2018 were selected. Patients at high or very high CV risk according to 2016 ESC/EAS guidelines with recorded LDL-C levels who were treated with LLT or were characterized as statin intolerant in 2018 were included.

Non-cardiovascular medication and readmission for heart failure: an observational cohort study.

Background Among heart failure (HF) patients, hospital readmissions are a major concern. The medication taken by a patient may provide information on comorbidities and conditions and may be used as an indicator to identify populations at an increased risk of HF readmission. Aim This study explored the use of non-cardiovascular medication at hospital discharge from the first HF admission in search of indicators of high risk of readmission for HF.

Heart failure medication after a first hospital admission and risk of heart failure readmission, focus on beta-blockers and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system medication: A retrospective cohort study in linked databases.

Background: This study assessed the association between heart failure (HF) medication (angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEI)/angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB), beta-blockers (BB), mineralocorticoid-receptor antagonists (MRA) and diuretics) and HF readmissions in a real-world unselected group of patients after a first hospital admission for HF. Furthermore we analysed readmission rates for ACEI versus ARB and for carvedilol versus β1-selective BB and we investigated the effect of HF medication in relation to time since discharge.

Methods And Findings: Medication at discharge was determined with dispensing data from the Dutch PHARMO Database Network including 22,476 patients with HF between 2001 and 2015.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Additional Risk Minimization Measure to Reduce the Risk of Prescribing Mirabegron to Patients with Severe Uncontrolled Hypertension in Four European Countries.

Background: Mirabegron, indicated for the treatment of overactive bladder, is contraindicated in patients with severe uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥180 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥110 mm Hg). In September 2015, a Direct Healthcare Professional Communication (DHPC) letter was disseminated as an additional risk minimisation measure.

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of the DHPC in reducing the proportions of patients with severe or non-severe uncontrolled hypertension at mirabegron initiation.

Trends in mortality, cardiovascular complications, and risk factors in type 2 diabetes.

Background: Quality of diabetes care in the Netherlands ranked second in the Euro Diabetes Index 2014, but data on outcomes are lacking. We assessed trends in cardiovascular disease and mortality among type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients in the context of risk factor control.

Methods: Annual cohorts of adult T2DM patients were constructed from the PHARMO Database Network.