Myocardial infarction and peripheral arterial disease: Treatment patterns and long-term outcome in men and women results from a Swedish nationwide study.

Background: Differences in comorbidity, pharmacotherapy, cardiovascular (CV) outcome, and mortality between myocardial infarction (MI) patients and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients are not well documented.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare comorbidity, treatment patterns, CV outcome, and mortality in MI and PAD patients, focusing on sex differences.

Methods: This observational, population-based study used data retrieved from mandatory Swedish national registries.

Factors Engaging Users of Diabetes Social Media Channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: Observational Study.

Background: Diabetes patient associations and diabetes-specific patient groups around the world are present on social media. Although active participation and engagement in these diabetes social media groups has been mostly linked to positive effects, very little is known about the content that is shared on these channels or the post features that engage their users the most.

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze (1) the content and features of posts shared over a 3-year period on 3 diabetes social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) of a diabetes association, and (2) users' engagement with these posts (likes, comments, and shares).

Overuse of short-acting β-agonists in asthma is associated with increased risk of exacerbation and mortality: a nationwide cohort study of the global SABINA programme.

Background: Overuse of short-acting β-agonists (SABA) may indicate poor asthma control and adverse health outcomes. Contemporary population-based data on use, risk factors and impact of SABA (over)use on asthma exacerbations and mortality are scarce, prompting initiation of the global SABINA (SABA use IN Asthma) programme.

Methods: By linking data from Swedish national registries, asthma patients aged 12-45 years with two or more collections of drugs for obstructive lung disease during 2006-2014 were included.

Concomitant use of drugs known to cause interactions with oral antiplatelets-polypharmacy in acute coronary syndrome outpatients in Finland.

Purpose: Use of oral antiplatelets (OAPs) is essential for preventing thrombotic events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Effects of clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor may be enhanced due to pharmacodynamic interactions, but as CYP substrates, they are prone to pharmacokinetic interactions too. The aim was to study polypharmacy in ACS patients following hospital discharge.

Predictors for repeated hyperkalemia and potassium trajectories in high-risk patients - A population-based cohort study.

Understanding predictors and trajectories of increased potassium may inform testing and treatment of hyperkalemia. We examined predictors for repeated hyperkalemia among patients after first-time renin angiotensin system inhibitor (RASi) prescription, chronic kidney disease (CKD), or chronic heart failure (CHF); and we also examined potassium trajectories in these patients after their first hyperkalemia event. We used Danish population-based registries to identify all patients with first-time RASi prescription, incident CKD, or incident CHF (2000-2012).

Usage of PCI and long-term cardiovascular risk in post-myocardial infarction patients: a nationwide registry cohort study from Finland.

Background: Despite currently available treatments, the burden of myocardial infarction (MI) morbidity and mortality remains prominent. The aim of this was to investigate the risk of developing subsequent cardiovascular events in MI patients.

Methods: This was an observational, retrospective cohort database linkage study using patient level data from Finland.

Oral corticosteroid use, morbidity and mortality in asthma: A nationwide prospective cohort study in Sweden.

Background: Patterns and determinants of long-term oral corticosteroid (OCS) use in asthma and related morbidity and mortality are not well-described. In a nationwide asthma cohort in Sweden, we evaluated the patterns and determinants of OCS use and risks of OCS-related morbidities and mortality.

Methods: Data for 217 993 asthma patients (aged ≥ 6 years) in secondary care were identified between 2007 and 2014 using Swedish national health registries.

Editor's Choice - Impact of Comorbidity, Medication, and Gender on Amputation Rate Following Revascularisation for Chronic Limb Threatening Ischaemia.

Objective/background: Chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI) has a high risk of amputation and mortality. Increased knowledge on how sex, comorbidities, and medication influence these outcomes after revascularisation may help optimise results and patient selection.

Methods: This population based observational cohort study included all individuals revascularised for CLTI in Sweden during a five year period (10,617 patients in total).

Non-cardioembolic TIA and ischemic stroke: Implications of severity.

Objectives: Our purpose was to explore major vascular and bleeding outcomes in relation to risk and severity scores (ABCD2 or NIHSS) in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: This nationwide observational study was based on data from 4 national registries. Outcomes were assessed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses.

Hyperkalaemia in people with diabetes: occurrence, risk factors and outcomes in a Danish population-based cohort study.

Aims: To examine the incidence, risk factors and clinical outcomes of hyperkalaemia in people with diabetes in a real-world setting.

Methods: Using Danish health registries, we identified a population-based cohort of people with first-time drug-treated diabetes, in the period 2000-2012. First, the cumulative incidence of hyperkalaemia, defined as first blood test with potassium level >5.

Elevated Potassium Levels in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure: Occurrence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Outcomes: A Danish Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Data on the true burden of hyperkalemia in patients with heart failure (HF) in a real-world setting are limited.

Methods And Results: Incidence rates of hyperkalemia (first blood test with a potassium level >5.0 mmol/L) in primary or hospital care were assessed in a population-based cohort of patients with incident HF diagnoses in northern Denmark from 2000 to 2012.

Culprit and Nonculprit Recurrent Ischemic Events in Patients With Myocardial Infarction: Data From SWEDEHEART (Swedish Web System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies).

BackgroundLong-term disease progression after myocardial infarction (MI) is inadequately understood. We evaluated the pattern and angiographic properties (culprit lesion [CL]/non-CL [NCL]) of recurrent MI (re-MI) in a large real-world patient population. Methods and ResultsOur observational study used prospectively collected data in 108 615 patients with first-occurrence MI enrolled in the SWEDEHEART (Swedish Web System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies) between July 1, 2006 and November 29, 2014.

Elevated potassium levels in patients with chronic kidney disease: occurrence, risk factors and clinical outcomes-a Danish population-based cohort study.

Background: Data on the true burden of hyperkalemia (HK) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a real-world setting are scarce.

Methods: The incidence rate of HK [first blood test with an elevated blood potassium level level >5.0 mmol/L] in primary or hospital care was assessed in a population-based cohort of all newly diagnosed CKD patients [second estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measurement <60 mL/min/1.

Long-term cardiovascular outcome, use of resources, and healthcare costs in patients with peripheral artery disease: results from a nationwide Swedish study.

Aims: Data on long-term healthcare costs of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) is limited, and the aim of this study was to investigate healthcare costs for PAD patients at a nationwide level.

Methods And Results: A cohort study including all incident patients diagnosed with PAD in the Swedish National Patient Register between 2006-2014, and linked to cause of death- and prescribed drug registers. Mean per-patient annual healthcare costs (2015 Euros [€]) (hospitalisations and out-patient visits) were divided into cardiovascular (CV), lower limb and non-CV related cost.

Amputation Rates, Mortality, and Pre-operative Comorbidities in Patients Revascularised for Intermittent Claudication or Critical Limb Ischaemia: A Population Based Study.

Objectives: The aims of this population based study were to describe mid- to long-term amputation risk, cumulative incidence of death or amputation, and differences in pre-operative comorbidities in patients revascularised for lower limb peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Methods: This was an observational cohort study. Data from the Swedish National Quality Registry for Vascular Surgery (Swedvasc) were combined with mandatory national health care registries and patient medical records.

Cardiovascular outcomes in patients with peripheral arterial disease as an initial or subsequent manifestation of atherosclerotic disease: Results from a Swedish nationwide study.

Objective: Long-term progression of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) as initial manifestation of atherosclerotic arterial disease is not well described. Cardiovascular (CV) risk was examined in different PAD populations diagnosed in a hospital setting in Sweden.

Methods: Data for this retrospective cohort study were retrieved by linking data on morbidity, medication use, and mortality from Swedish national registries.

Clinical factors associated with initiation of and persistence with ADP receptor-inhibiting oral antiplatelet treatment after acute coronary syndrome: a nationwide cohort study from Finland.

Objectives: To study patient selection for and persistence with ADP receptor-inhibiting oral antiplatelet (OAP) treatment after acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Design: Observational, retrospective, cohort study linking real-life patient-level register data.

Setting: Nationwide drug usage study using data of patients with ACS discharged from hospitals in Finland.

Long-term resource use patterns and healthcare costs after myocardial infarction in a clinical practice setting: results from a contemporary nationwide registry study.

Aims: Long-term contemporary nationwide data on resource use and healthcare costs after myocardial infarction (MI) in a clinical practice setting are not widely studied, and the aim of this study was to investigate resource use patterns and healthcare costs in patients with MI in a nationwide clinical practice setting.

Methods And Results: This retrospective cohort study included all patients identified in the compulsory Swedish nationwide patient register with a diagnosis of MI between 1 July 2006 and 30 June 2011. Cardiovascular hospitalization and outpatient visits data from the patient register were combined with data from the cause of death register and the drug utilization register.

Using big data from health records from four countries to evaluate chronic disease outcomes: a study in 114 364 survivors of myocardial infarction.

Aims: To assess the international validity of using hospital record data to compare long-term outcomes in heart attack survivors.

Methods And Results: We used samples of national, ongoing, unselected record sources to assess three outcomes: cause death; a composite of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and all-cause death; and hospitalized bleeding. Patients aged 65 years and older entered the study 1 year following the most recent discharge for acute MI in 2002-11 [n = 54 841 (Sweden), 53 909 (USA), 4653 (England), and 961 (France)].

Panel: Big Data & Social Media for Empowering Patients with Diabetes.

Millions of people living with diabetes are using mobile phones, Internet and social media to socialize with other patients, share experience or search information relevant for their self-management. This phenomena is leading towards a new paradigm of hyper-connected diabetes digital self-management. This is also leading towards an explosion on data, a large amount of data is collected on populations around the world.

Initiation of and long-term adherence to secondary preventive drugs after acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Secondary preventive drug therapy following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is recommended to reduce the risk of new cardiovascular events. The aim of this nationwide cohort study was to examine the initiation and long-term use of secondary preventive drugs after AMI.

Methods: The prescription of drugs in 42,707 patients < 85 years discharged alive from hospital after AMI in 2009-2013 was retrieved by linkage of the Norwegian Patient Register, the Norwegian Prescription Database, and the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry.

Contemporary cardiovascular risk and secondary preventive drug treatment patterns in peripheral artery disease patients undergoing revascularization.

Objective: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is common worldwide, and PAD patients are increasingly offered lower limb revascularization procedures. The aim of this population-based study was to describe the current risk for cardiovascular (CV) events and mortality and also to elucidate the current pharmacologic treatment patterns in revascularized lower limb PAD patients.

Methods: This observational, retrospective cohort study analyzed prospectively collected linked data retrieved from mandatory Swedish national health care registries.

Initiation and persistence with dual antiplatelet therapy after acute myocardial infarction: a Danish nationwide population-based cohort study.

Objectives: The study investigated dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) patterns over time and patient characteristics associated with the various treatments in a myocardial infarction (MI) population.

Design: A registry-based observational cohort study was performed using antecedent data.

Setting: This study linked morbidity, mortality and medication data from Danish national registries.

Association Between Paradoxical HDL Cholesterol Decrease and Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients Initiated on Statin Treatment in a Primary Care Setting.

Background And Objectives: Statin-induced changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are unrelated. Many patients initiated on statins experience a paradoxical decrease in HDL-C. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between a decrease in HDL-C and risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Treatment pattern of contemporary dual antiplatelet therapies after acute coronary syndrome: a Swedish nationwide population-based cohort study.

Objectives: New dual antiplatelet therapies (DAPTs) have been introduced in clinical practice for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This nationwide study investigated DAPT patterns over time and patient characteristics associated with the various treatments in a population with ACS.

Design: This observational cohort study linked morbidity, mortality and medication data from Swedish national registries.