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This research examines the impact of alcohol intake and smoking on cardiovascular events in young hypertensive smokers. The study shows a significant increase in risk for major adverse cardiovascular events among those who consume alcohol and smoke. The findings suggest the importance of addressing lifestyle habits in managing cardiovascular health.
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Journal Club Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current Evidence July–August 2017
Featured Article Alcohol intake more than doubles the risk of early cardiovascular events in young hypertensive smokers Palatini P, et al. Am J Med. 2017;130(8):967-974.e1.
Study Objective • To assess the combined impact of alcohol use and smoking on major adverse cardiovascular and renal events (MACE).
Study Design • Prospective cohort study of data from 18-45-year olds (N=1204) with stage 1 hypertension and low cardiovascular risk profile across 17 hypertension units in Italy. • Exclusion criteria were diabetes, nephropathy, cardiovascular disease, and any other serious disease. • Alcohol and tobacco use were assessed by interview. • The combined major adverse cardiovascular and renal event outcome included: • fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction • acute coronary syndromes • cardiac revascularization procedures • hospitalization for heart failure • fatal and non-fatal stroke • aortic or lower limb revascularization • atrial fibrillation, and • chronic kidney disease stage 3 or higher
Assessing Validity of an Article About Harm • Are the results valid? • What are the results? • How can I apply the results to patient care?
Are the Results Valid? • Did the investigators demonstrate similarity in all known determinants of outcomes? Did they adjust for differences in the analysis? • Were exposed patients equally likely to be identified in the two groups? • Were the outcomes measured in the same way in the groups being compared? • Was follow-up sufficiently complete?
Did the investigators demonstrate similarity in all known determinants of outcomes? • No. * Models adjusted for age, sex, coffee intake, physical activity, body mass index, family history of cardiovascular disease, glucose, lipids, average 24-hour blood pressure, incident hypertension, and longitudinal changes in blood pressure and body weight. ** Any alcohol use (n=569), any smoking (n=254), any alcohol use + any smoking (n=142), any alcohol use + heavy smoking (n=51).
Did they adjust for differences in the analysis? • Authors adjusted for age and sex.
Were exposed patients equally likely to be identified in the groups? • Yes. • People with smoking were classified into 4 categories according to the daily number of cigarettes smoked: • nonsmokers (78.9%) • 1-5 cigarettes/day (8.7%) • 6-10 cigarettes/day (5.2%) • >10 cigarettes/day (7.1%) • Alcohol consumption was divided into 3 categories: • 0 g/day (52.8%) • <50 g/day (40.1%) • ≥50 g/day (7.1%) 9
Were the outcomes measured in the same way in the groups being compared? • Yes. • Alcohol and tobacco use were assessed by interview. • “Office BP and lifestyle habits were assessed monthly during the first 3 months of follow-up, then after 6 months, and every 6 months thereafter.”
Was follow-up sufficiently complete? • Yes. • 1204 of 1256 patients who met study criteria had at least 6 months of follow-up. These were the participants included in the analysis.
What are the Results? • How strong is the association between exposure and outcomes? • How precise is the estimate of the risk?
How strong is the association between exposure and outcome? How precise is the estimate of the risk? • “Among the 142 smokers who also drank alcoholic beverages, the risk of MACE from the multivariable model (4.02; 95% CI, 1.98-8.15) was more than doubled compared with the 112 smokers who abstained from drinking (1.64; 95% CI, 0.63-4.27). In the group of heavy smokers who also were alcohol drinkers (n = 51), the risk of MACE was even quadrupled (7.8; 95% CI, 4.2 – 14.4).” 13
How Can I Apply the Results to Patient Care? • Were the study patients similar to the patients in my practice? • Was the duration of follow-up adequate? • What was the magnitude of the risk? • Should I attempt to stop the exposure?
Were the study patients similar to the patients in my practice? • The participants were all white, young-to-middle-aged participants, (mean age 33 years, 73% male) with stage 1 hypertension (mean blood pressure 146/94).
Was the duration of follow-up adequate? • Yes. Follow-up was 12.6 years.
What was the magnitude of the risk? • Any alcohol use, smoking, or combination of alcohol use and smoking were associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes in adjusted models.
Should I attempt to stop the exposure? • Yes. • This study suggests an interactive effect between alcohol use and smoking to increase risk for cardiovascular and renal events in hypertensive smokers 45 years old or younger. • The results support existing clinical recommendations to control blood pressure and encourage tobacco cessation and lower-risk (which includes no) drinking.