Comparison of risk factors and mortality in veterans with HIV and those without HIV suffering first major acute cardiovascular events.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that people with HIV have an increased atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability, making them more susceptible to severe cardiovascular complications. This study aimed to examine the clinical characteristics of people with HIV in comparison to people without HIV admitted to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) with their first major acute cardiovascular events (MACE) and compare their total mortality.

Methods: We used national VHA data to extract data of those admitted to VHA hospitals with MACE defined as acute myocardial infarction (AMI), acute cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or cardiac arrest during the fiscal years 2003-2021.

Utilization of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist and Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors at the Veterans Health Administration.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) are incretin-based therapies commonly used in the management of type 2 diabetes. Public interest in GLP-1RA soared after discovering their ability to lower body weight in patients without diabetes. To examine recent trends in usage of GLP-1RA and DPP-4i in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Association of statins with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with diabetes.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in patients with diabetes; limited data suggested that statins may reduce the risk of NAFLD progression. This study aimed to examine the association between statins and the development or progression of NAFLD in veterans with diabetes. In a new-user negative control design, we conducted a retrospective propensity score (PS)-matched cohort study of patients with diabetes between 2003 and 2015.

Significance of Chronic Kidney Disease on Morbidity and Mortality in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19.

Background: Patients with comorbid illnesses are at risk for worse outcomes with a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19). Our research examined patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to establish whether it remains an independent risk factor for mortality and morbidity in patients with COVID-19.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using an electronic patient database in 2020.

Association of Strict Versus Lenient Cholesterol Lowering with Cardiac Outcomes, Diabetes Progression and Complications, and Mortality in Patients with Diabetes Treated with Statins: Is Less More?

Introduction: Whereas some guidelines recommend statin use to achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal < 70 mg/dL for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in patients at higher risk, others recommend against a target LDL-C level. Achieving a target level < 70 mg/dL commonly requires the use of high intensity statins, which has been associated with higher risk of diabetes progression. The objective of this study is to assess the association of strict (≤ 70 mg/dL) versus lenient (> 70 to100 mg/dL) LDL-C lowering on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), diabetes progression, diabetes microvascular complications, and total mortality in patients with diabetes.

Association of Thiazide Diuretics With Diabetes Progression, Kidney Disease Progression, Cardiovascular Outcomes, and Death Among Patients With Diabetes Who Initiate Statins.

Statins have been associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) progression but their cardiovascular benefit in patients with DM outweigh the harm. However, the effects of concurrent use of other medications that similarly increase blood glucose level, such as thiazide diuretics, are not well studied. This study aimed to evaluate the association of concurrent use of thiazide diuretics and statins on DM progression, cardiovascular and renal outcomes, and death in patients with DM.

Statins and renal disease progression, ophthalmic manifestations, and neurological manifestations in veterans with diabetes: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Statins increase insulin resistance, which may increase risk of diabetic microvascular complications. Little is known about the impact of statins on renal, ophthalmologic, and neurologic complications of diabetes in practice. The objective of this study was to examine the association of statins with renal disease progression, ophthalmic manifestations, and neurological manifestations in diabetes.

Association of Statin Therapy Initiation With Diabetes Progression: A Retrospective Matched-Cohort Study.

Importance: Statin therapy has been associated with increased insulin resistance; however, its clinical implications for diabetes control among patients with diabetes is unknown.

Objective: To assess diabetes progression after initiation of statin use in patients with diabetes.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This was a retrospective matched-cohort study using new-user and active-comparator designs to assess associations between statin initiation and diabetes progression in a national cohort of patients covered by the US Department of Veterans Affairs from fiscal years 2003-2015.

Is Statin Use Associated With Risk of Thyroid Diseases? Results of a Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Given the ubiquity of statin use and prevalence of thyroid diseases, such as thyroid cancer, hyperthyroidism, and thyroiditis, understanding their association deserves further attention.

Objective: To examine the association between statin use and thyroid cancer, thyrotoxicosis, goiter, and thyroiditis.

Methods: Using Tricare data, 2 propensity score (PS)-matched cohorts of statin users and nonusers were formed: (1) a PS-matched general cohort (all patients aged 30-85 years) and (2) a PS-matched healthy cohort (excluded patients with cardiovascular diseases or severe comorbidities).

The Clot Thickens: Diagnosing Acute Pulmonary Embolism as a Trigger for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation in the Setting of Anticoagulation Failure.

Unlabelled: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations are most commonly triggered by infections, but up to 25% of those that require hospitalization are thought to be triggered by acute pulmonary embolism. We present the case of a 71-year-old patient with a history of unprovoked pulmonary embolisms on anticoagulation therapy hospitalized for a COPD exacerbation. The exacerbation was triggered by an acute pulmonary embolism, representing anticoagulation failure.

Association of Breast Implants with Nonspecific Symptoms, Connective Tissue Diseases, and Allergic Reactions: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Background: Given the rising media attention regarding various adverse conditions attributed to breast implants, the authors examined the association between breast implantation and the risk of being diagnosed with connective tissue diseases, allergic reactions, and nonspecific constitutional complaints in a cohort study with longitudinal follow-up.

Methods: Women enrolled in a regional military health care system between 2003 and 2012 were evaluated in this retrospective cohort study. A propensity score was generated to match women who underwent breast implantation with women who did not undergo breast implantation.

Statins in survivors of traumatic brain injury: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Background: Several in-vitro and animal studies suggest that statins may have beneficial effects on clinical outcomes of traumatic brain injury (TBI), however, clinical data are scarce.

Objectives: To examine the association of statin use with TBI clinical outcomes among patients with TBI.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of Tricare beneficiaries who had a TBI diagnosis, as defined by the Barbell injury diagnosis matrix.

Statin use and medically attended acute respiratory illness among influenza vaccine recipients.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that statins decrease influenza vaccine effectiveness and increase risk of medically attended acute respiratory illness (MAARI).

Objectives: To examine the association of incident statin use and MAARI in a cohort of influenza vaccine recipients.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated influenza vaccine recipients within the Tricare population.

Association of Statin Use with Increased Risk of Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal conditions, including osteoarthritis (OA), result in tremendous disability and cost. Statins are among the most commonly prescribed medications and their use for primary prevention in many otherwise healthy individuals, including those who are physically active, is increasing. There is conflicting evidence regarding the relationship of statin use and musculoskeletal conditions.

Association of Statin Therapy With Risk of Epilepsy in 2 Propensity Score-Matched Cohorts.

Background: Studies have suggested that statins may have a neuroprotective effect against epilepsy. However, evidence from rat models and case reports have suggested an opposite effect. Overall data are limited.

Do Statins Increase the Risk of Esophageal Conditions? Findings from Four Propensity Score-Matched Analyses.

Background And Objective: Statins are commonly used medications. Whereas some observational studies suggested an association of statin use with Barrett's esophagus and some upper gastrointestinal symptoms, there is a dearth of data on the association of statins and common esophageal conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophagitis. The aim of this study is to examine the association of statins with esophageal conditions.

Statins and Lower Gastrointestinal Conditions: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Several studies have reported constipation, abdominal pain, or diarrhea as common adverse events for statins. Statins are among the most commonly prescribed medications, and the impact on the prevalence of these conditions was rarely studied as main outcomes. The aim of this study is to determine if statin therapy is associated with constipation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or colitis.