Baseline Characteristics of Participants in STAREE: A Randomized Trial for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Events and Prolongation of Disability-Free Survival in Older People.

Background: The risk-benefit balance of statin use in healthy older people is uncertain. We describe the baseline characteristics of the STAREE (Statins in Reducing Events in the Elderly) trial, which is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial among community-dwelling older people; the trial evaluated the effect of atorvastatin 40 mg for the prevention of major cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction or stroke), and on disability-free survival (survival free of both dementia and persistent physical disability).

Methods And Results: STAREE enrolled people aged ≥70 years from 1583 general practices across Australia with no history of clinical cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or dementia.

Epigenetic age acceleration and cognitive performance over time in older adults.

Introduction: This study investigated whether epigenetic age acceleration (AA) is associated with the change in cognitive function and the risk of incident dementia over 9 years, separately in males and females.

Methods: Six epigenetic AA measures, including GrimAge, were estimated in baseline blood samples from 560 Australians aged ≥70 years (50.7% female).

Cost-effectiveness of a decentralized, community-based "one-stop-shop" hepatitis C testing and treatment program in Yangon, Myanmar.

Background And Aim: The availability of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment and point-of-care diagnostic testing has made hepatitis C (HCV) elimination possible even in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs); however, testing and treatment costs remain a barrier. We estimated the cost and cost-effectiveness of a decentralized community-based HCV testing and treatment program (CT2) in Myanmar.

Methods: Primary cost data included the costs of DAAs, investigations, medical supplies and other consumables, staff salaries, equipment, and overheads.

The Role of Social Determinants of Health in Cardiovascular Diseases: An Umbrella Review.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Addressing social determinants of health (SDoH) may be the next forefront of reducing the enormous burden of CVD. SDoH can be defined as any social, economic, or environmental factor that influences a health outcome.

Grip strength, gait speed, and trajectories of cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults: A prospective study.

Introduction: This study investigated whether grip strength and gait speed predict cognitive aging trajectories and examined potential sex-specific associations.

Methods: Community-dwelling older adults ( = 19,114) were followed for up to 7 years, with regular assessment of global function, episodic memory, psychomotor speed, and executive function. Group-based multi-trajectory modeling identified joint cognitive trajectories.

Combination of gait speed and grip strength to predict cognitive decline and dementia.

Introduction: To determine whether slowed gait and weakened grip strength independently, or together, better identify risk of cognitive decline or dementia.

Methods: Time to walk 3 meters and grip strength were measured in a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial involving community-dwelling, initially cognitively healthy older adults (N = 19,114).

Results: Over a median 4.

Temporal Changes in Pollen Concentration Predict Short-Term Clinical Outcomes in Acute Coronary Syndromes.

Background Atmospheric changes in pollen concentration may affect human health by triggering various allergic processes. We sought to assess if changes in pollen concentrations were associated with different acute coronary syndrome (ACS) subtype presentations and short-term clinical outcomes. Methods and Results We analyzed data in consecutive patients presenting with ACS (unstable angina, non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, and ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2014 and December 2017 and enrolled in the VCOR (Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry).

Long-Term Blood Pressure Variability and Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia Among Older Adults.

Background Blood pressure variability (BPV) in midlife increases risk of late-life dementia, but the impact of BPV on the cognition of adults who have already reached older ages free of major cognitive deficits is unknown. We examined the risk of incident dementia and cognitive decline associated with long-term, visit-to-visit BPV in a post hoc analysis of the ASPREE (Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) trial. Methods and Results ASPREE participants (N=19 114) were free of dementia and significant cognitive impairment at enrollment.

Blood DNA methylation signatures to detect dementia prior to overt clinical symptoms.

Introduction: This study determined whether blood DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns differentiate individuals with presymptomatic dementia compared to controls.

Methods: DNAm was measured in 73 individuals prior to dementia diagnosis and 87 cognitively healthy controls matched for age, sex, smoking, education, and baseline cognition. DNAm was also measured at 3 years follow-up in 25 dementia cases, and 24 controls.

Lifestyle Changes in Relation to Initiation of Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Medication: A Cohort Study.

Background Lifestyle modification is a key component of cardiovascular disease prevention before and concurrently with pharmacologic interventions. We evaluated whether lifestyle factors change in relation to the initiation of antihypertensive or lipid-lowering medication (statins). Methods and Results The study population comprised 41 225 participants of the FPS (Finnish Public Sector) study aged ≥40 years who were free of cardiovascular disease at baseline and responded to ≥2 consecutive surveys administered in 4-year intervals in 2000-2013.

Role of lymph node yield and lymph node ratio in predicting outcomes in non-metastatic colorectal cancer.

Background: Lymph node yield (LNY) of 12 or more in resection of colorectal cancer is recommended in current international guidelines. Although a low LNY (less than 12) is associated with poorer outcome in some studies, its prognostic value is unclear in patients with early-stage colorectal or rectal cancer with a complete pathological response following neoadjuvant therapy. Lymph node ratio (LNR), which reflects the proportion of positive to total nodes obtained, may be more accurate in predicting outcome in stage III colorectal cancer.

Patchy colitis, and young age at diagnosis and at the time of surgery predict subsequent development of Crohn's disease after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis surgery for ulcerative colitis.

Background And Aim: A proportion of patients having total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC) are later diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this study was to identify preoperative and perioperative predictors for the subsequent development of CD in patients who had IPAA for presumed UC.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study of patients undergoing IPAA surgery for presumed UC was undertaken.

White Diet with split-dose Picosalax is preferred, better tolerated, and non-inferior to day-before clear fluids with polyethylene glycol plus sodium picosulfate-magnesium citrate for morning colonoscopy: A randomized, non-inferiority trial.

Background And Aim: Bowel preparations with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and clear fluids are often poorly tolerated. We compared an innovative low-residue White Diet and low-volume, split-dose Picosalax with the standard preparation at our institution of day-before clear fluids and combination PEG plus sodium picosulfate/magnesium citrate (SPMC).

Methods: Adults undergoing morning colonoscopy were randomized to either the White Diet and split-dose, two sachets of Picosalax (WD/PICO) or day-before clear fluids and 1-L PEG plus two sachets of SPMC (CF/PEG + SPMC).