Faculty of Medicine
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Item type:Publication, Diet and sex inequities in ischemic heart disease mortality across Europe: findings from the global burden of disease study(Oxford University Press (OUP), 2025-11) ;Bugiardini, Raffaele ;Rahaman, Tania ;Manfrini, Olivia ;Maas, AngelaBergami, MariaAims Sex differences in ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality remain underexplored from a population-level case fatality perspective. This study evaluates sex-specific disparities in IHD mortality and risk-attributable causes across 27 European Union (EU) countries using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data. Methods and results We calculated age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs), prevalence rates (ASPRs), and mortality-to-prevalence ratios (MPRs) as a proxy for population-level case fatality. To quantify mortality attributable to specific exposures among individuals with IHD, we derived a case fatality index (CFI) by normalizing risk-attributable ASMRs to ASPRs. Z-scores quantified the magnitude and statistical significance of sex differences in MPRs and CFIs (|Z| ≥ 1.96 = P < 0.05; |Z| ≥ 2.58 = P < 0.01). From 2011 to 2021, IHD ASMRs declined by 24.0% in men and 19.1% in women. In 2011, 12 countries showed significantly higher MPRs in women than men. By 2021, Austria (MPR 6.0% vs. 3.6%), Greece (9.4% vs. 5.3%), and Malta (9.3% vs. 4.2%) remained outliers, with Z-scores >2.58 (P < 0.01). CFIs showed that women in these countries faced 40 to 60% higher mortality burdens from hypertension, hyperglycemia, and poor dietary intake. Low intake of omega-3 fatty acids, fibers, vegetables, and nuts/seeds accounted for the largest dietary disparities. Conclusion Despite declining IHD mortality rates, Austria, Greece, and Malta continue to exhibit significant sex disparities, with women experiencing disproportionately higher case fatality. These disparities are largely driven by modifiable cardiometabolic and dietary risks, underscoring the need for sex-specific, regionally tailored prevention strategies. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Sex and gender differences in coronary pathophysiology and ischaemic heart disease(Oxford University Press (OUP), 2026-01-23) ;Manfrini, Olivia ;Tousoulis, Dimitris ;Antoniades, Charalambos ;Badimon, LinaBugiardini, RaffaeleIschaemic heart disease shows important differences between men and women, requiring an understanding of sex and gender dissimilarities to improve outcomes. This Scientific Statement provides an updated review of the current knowledge from risk factors to prognosis. It discusses the unequal impact of certain traditional risk factors between men and women, along with additional factors, such as hormonal changes and treatments (including those for transgender people and cancer), pregnancy-related complications, and autoimmune diseases, which contribute to the sex-specific risk profiles. Moreover, it outlines functional and structural sex differences in the pathophysiology (e.g. coronary atheroma plaques and burden, coronary dissection, vasospasm, and microvascular disease) with women being more prone to microvascular disease and endothelial dysfunction, while paradoxically experiencing less severe myocardial ischaemia at similar levels of coronary stenosis. The document further addresses the evaluation of diagnostic tools, which often have a male-centric bias, resulting in underdiagnosis in women who also tend to receive less guideline-recommended treatment. Additionally, women can have different responses and side effects to various preventive and therapeutic treatments, potentially contributing to the worse prognosis documented in acute coronary syndromes with obstructive coronary artery disease, particularly at a young age. Considering all these sex and gender differences and the low enrolment of women in randomized controlled trials, questions arise regarding the optimal treatment for women. Addressing sex differences requires conducting sex-specific research to close the knowledge gap. Overall, the Scientific Statement highlights all relevant sex- and gender-specific dissimilarities to advance clinical practice and identify directions for future research to improve guideline recommendations for equitable care. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Changing clinical perspectives on sex and healthcare disparities in ischaemic heart disease(Elsevier BV, 2025-09) ;Maas, Angela ;Cenko, Edina ;Vaccarino, Viola ;Göttgens, IreneBergami, MariaIschaemic heart disease (IHD) has historically been under-researched in women, leading to significant gaps in understanding sex-specific risk factors and outcomes. To address this issue, The Lancet Regional Health–Europe convened experts from a broad range of countries to evaluate sex-related cardiovascular inequalities and propose recommendations to address these disparities. Despite developing IHD a decade later than men, women experience higher mortality rates. Global Burden of Disease data highlight persistent sex differences in IHD mortality, with women showing higher mortality despite lower prevalence. Factors such as psychosocial stress, reproductive health, and physical inactivity disproportionately impact women's cardiovascular health, while caregiving responsibilities and delayed healthcare access further exacerbate these disparities. There is an urgent need to recognize chest pain symptoms in women and to reduce the time lag between symptom onset and hospital presentation. Addressing these gaps requires targeted public health interventions, expanded research, and improved clinical practices, emphasizing equitable healthcare access and greater inclusion of women in clinical trials. Tailoring treatment guidelines to account for sex differences in outcomes could significantly improve survival rates for women with IHD. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2020-10-09) ;Labeau, Sonia O. ;Afonso, Elsa ;Benbenishty, Julie ;Blackwood, BronaghBoulanger, CarolePurpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score < 19, ICU stay > 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Traditional risk factors and premature acute coronary syndromes in South Eastern Europe: a multinational cohort study(Elsevier BV, 2024-03) ;Bugiardini, Raffaele ;Cenko, Edina ;Yoon, Jinsung ;Bergami, MariaVasiljevic, ZoranaThe age-standardized death rates under 65 years from ischemic heart disease in South Eastern Europe are approximately twice as high than the Western Europe average, but the reasons are not completely recognized. The aim of the present study was to address this issue by collecting and analyzing data from a large, multinational cohort.
