Aydoğan, Ümit

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesAlthough the condition of low haemoglobin (Hb) levels has been established as a risk factor in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD), it is still a debate particularly in patients with angiographically documented disease. In the present study, we sought to identify the relationship between Hb levels and the presence of CAD.MethodsThe study consisted of 356 consecutive patients referred for elective coronary angiography (CAG). Exclusion criteria included a history of prior MI within last 3 months, presence of neoplastic disorders or any inflammatory diseases or overt diabetes mellitus. Blood samples for haematologic and biochemical measurements were collected on admission following at least 12 hours of overnight fasting. Patients were divided into four groups based on the quartiles of Hb (quartile I < 13.50 g/dL, quartile II 13.50–14.70 g/dL, quartile III 14.71–15.74 g/dL, quartile IV > 15.74 g/dL). Additionally, patients filled out a questionnaire of asking their brief medical histories and baseline characteristics.ResultsLower Hb quartiles were independently related to the presence of CAD in subjects who were referred to elective CAG. The patients with older age [P = 0.008, odds ratio (OR) = 1.042], male gender (P = 0.007, OR = 3.408), in quartile I (P = 0.003, OR = 5.697), in quartile II (P < 0.001, OR = 8.767), in quartile III (P = 0.011, P = 3.076), higher white blood cells count (P = 0.037, OR = 1.208), lower platelet count (P = 0.049, OR = 0.995), condition of current smoker (P = 0.030, OR = 2.548), higher value of fasting glucose (P = 0.014, OR = 1.038), estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 (mL/min/1.73 m2; P = 0.004, OR = 3.269) were more likely associated with the risk of the presence of CAD.ConclusionsThe present study revealed that lower quartiles of Hb levels were independently related to the presence of CAD in subjects who were referred to elective CAG. Hb levels, which can be measured easily in almost all medical centres, may be considered as a potential predictor for the presence of CAD in patients at high risk for CAD.

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesHypertension (HT) is prevalent in Turkey and even with pharmacological interventions HT control rates do not meet guideline recommendations. We aimed to estimate the proportion of hypertensive patients who achieved target blood pressure (BP) and seek to determine the predictors responsible for failure of to reach goals.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study involving patients with HT. A total of 437 patients were identified with a current diagnosis of HT at baseline. All available predictors for BP improvements were included in the multivariate linear regression model.ResultsFollow‐up data on HT goal achievements was available for 276 (63.1%) participants. Only 18.1% of the patients at the baseline visit, and 48.6% at the follow‐up visit achieved the overall SBP/DBP targets specified by the JNC‐8 guideline. Significant differences were determined by baseline and 1st visit measurements of mean SBP/DBP levels (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). DM and baseline SBP were positively associated with SBP improvement (β = 8.410, P = 0.003; β = 0.692, P < 0.001, respectively), whereas being prescribing more HT medications and being older were negatively associated with improvement (β = −7.968, P = 0.005; β = −5.707, P = 0.037; respectively). DM, baseline DBP and HT duration were positively associated with DBP improvement (β = 4.539, P = 0.012; β = 0.702, P < 0.001; β = 0.023, P = 0.012; respectively), whereas additional HT medications and GFR values were negatively associated with improvement (β = −5.682, P = 0.002; β = −0.098, P = 0.005; respectively).ConclusionsAlthough the progress in achieving in BP targets was encouraging, only half of patients had reached the HT goals. Adequate pharmacological approaches and comprehensive management strategies should be implemented in hypertensive patients.