Vol 94, No 1 (2022)

The article is devoted to the analysis of changes in the role of causal and comorbid risk factors for two main types of heart failure – with reduced and preserved ejection fraction – over the previous 20 years. Within the same time interval, the dynamics of the prevalence and mortality for these clinical variants. Special attention is paid to a possible solution to the issue of the complexity of recording cases of diagnosis and treatment of chronic heart failure in outpatient and hospital practice.

Aim. To analyze therapy in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) in 2010–2020.

Materials and methods. Data of hypertensive patients observed in primary health care, entered into the base of hypertension registry for 2010–2020 years in the whole group (n=44 653) and in a separate subgroup of hypertensive patients in the absence of: ischemic heart disease, a history of myocardial infarction, chronic heart failure (n=20 569).

Results. About 80% of hypertensive patients are patients of high and very high risks (from 2010 to 2020, the proportion of very high cardiovascular risk (CVR) increased from 18.1 to 57.3%). The number of hypertensive patients with a history of myocardial infarction increased in 5 times, in 3 times with ischemic heart disease and with chronic heart failure. The number of prescribed drugs increased: mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (in 5.8 times), loop diuretics (in 7.2) angiotensin receptor blockers (in 3 times), b-adrenoblockers, calcium channel blockers of the dihydropyridine series, thiazide-like diuretics in 2 times. Patients at high and very high risk are more likely reached target blood pressure values. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were prescribed in more than 70% of patients with hypertension and the absence of coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure, history of myocardial infarction; the prescription of b-adrenoblockers, angiotension receptor blockers, thiazide-like and loop diuretics increased.

Conclusion. The proportion of more severe and comorbid patients has increased in observed in primary health care patients with AH over a 10-year period (2010–2020). This was probably the main factor of increasing antihypertensive therapy and prescribing drugs with additional indications and improving the achievement of target blood pressure in patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk.

Background. A low hemoglobin level in older adults impairs cognitive ability and functional status and associates with risk of falls and fractures, sarcopenia, malnutrition, depression, frailty, and decreased autonomy. Epidemiological data on the anemia prevalence in the geriatric population in our country is not available.

Aim. To assess the prevalence of anemia and analyze its associations with geriatric syndromes (GS) in subjects aged ≥65 years.

Materials and methods. 4308 subjects (30% of men) aged 65–107 years, living in 11 regions of the Russian Federation, were examined and divided into age groups (65–74 years, 75–84 years and ≥85 years). All the participants underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment and determined hemoglobin level.

Results. The anemia prevalence in older adults was 23.9%. It has been shown that with an increase in age per 1 year, the risk of anemia detection increases by 4%. The incidence of anemia was higher in males than females (28.1% versus 22.1%; p<0.001). In most cases, anemia was mild. The results of a comprehensive geriatric assessment show that patients with anemia had lower hand grip force, Barthel Index, the sum of points on Lawton instrumental activities of daily living scale, Mini Nutritional Assessment scale, the Mini-Cog test and higher – the sum of points on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) and the Age Is No Barrier scale. Patients with anemia were more likely to use hearing aids, absorbent underwear, and assistive devices during movement. Patients with anemia had a higher incidence of all GS, except for orthostatic hypotension and chronic pain syndrome. The presence of GS is associated with an increased risk of anemia by 1.3–3.4 times.

Conclusion. EVKALIPT study obtained domestic data on the prevalence of anemia in older patients and examined its associations with other GS.

Background. Recently, there has been an increase in the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Northern Europe, North America and East Asia. However data on GERD prevalence in Russian population are very limited.

Aim. To determine the prevalence of GERD among the population of Russia, the clinical spectrum of GERD symptoms, the main drugs used for GERD treatment, and the rate of their administration.

Materials and methods. The study was conducted from November 2015 to January 2017 in 8 cities of Russia. A survey of patients over the age of 18 years old visiting outpatient medical institutions for any reason, including patients without gastrointestinal complaints was carried out using a short version of the Mayo Clinic questionnaire.

Results. In total, 6132 questionnaires of patients aged 18–90 years were analyzed [2456 men (40.1%) and 3676 women (59.9%), mean age – 46.6±15.4 years]. The GERD prevalence among the interviewed patients was 34.2%. The incidence of GERD increased depending on body mass index and the age of the patients. Medications used by the patients for heartburn relief included proton pump inhibitors – 59.96%, antacids – 67.92%, H₂-histamine receptor blockers – 11.42%, alginates – 18.41% of patients.

Conclusion. The results of this study indicate a high prevalence of GERD among residents of Russian cities applying for primary health care (34.2%). In comparison with previous studies, an increase in the proportion of GERD patients taking proton pump inhibitors was noted; in most cases the regimen of their intake was in accordance with the recommendations.

Background. Sufficient supply of coagulation factors products has significantly improved life quality and expectancy in patients with hemophilia. Certain difficulties, however, persist when it comes to the treatment of the disease.

Aim. To analyze current therapeutic approaches and identify major unsolved issues in the treatment of patients with hemophilia A.

Materials and methods. An online survey of 100 adult patients with hemophilia A was held.

Results. More than a half of the surveyed sample (59%) are patients aged 19 to 40 with the severe form of the disease, 73% of respondents receive a replacement therapy with plasmatic factors, 42% of patients inject drugs 3 times a week or more. More than a half of all age groups with hemophilia have persistent pain and limited joint mobility, in 70% of the patients, bleeding into the joints occurred 4 or more times within the past year, 47% of the patients with hemophilia A are partially satisfied or dissatisfied with their state of health, 92% of the patients would like to improve their quality of life. At the same time, about 1/3 of the patients would like to reduce the frequency of drug administration. More than 40% of the respondents did not visit a hematologist during the year, 85% do not conduct regular laboratory monitoring.

Conclusion. The survey results demonstrate numerous areas of potential change pertaining to the approaches towards therapy and to the innovative drugs for the treatment of patients with hemophilia.

Aim. To assess the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in patients with controlled and uncontrolled hypertension, controlled resistant and uncontrolled resistant hypertension, refractory hypertension, and probably resistant and probably refractory hypertension.

Materials and methods. A telephone call was made to 256 patients with hypertension included in the database to assess the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. All responding patients were divided into 7 groups according to the classification of hypertension based on the achievement/non-achievement of target blood pressure values and the number of drugs taken (controlled and uncontrolled hypertension, controlled resistant and uncontrolled resistant hypertension, refractory hypertension, and probably resistant and probably refractory hypertension). The target blood pressure was considered to be less than 140/90 mm Hg. Patients not adhering to medication were not included in the analysis.

Results. The group of controlled hypertension included 146 (57%) patients out of 256, controlled resistant hypertension – 36 (14%) patients, uncontrolled hypertension – 6 (2.3%) patients, resistant uncontrolled hypertension – 22 (8.6%) patients, refractory hypertension – 31 (12.1%) patients. The group of probably resistant hypertension – 6 (2.3%) patients, probably refractory hypertension – 9 (3.5%) patients. Of the 28 events that occurred, 6 were attributed to coronary artery disease (including 3 acute myocardial infarction and 2 coronary artery stenting), 3 strokes, 6 episodes of transient ischemic attack and 10 new cases of atrial fibrillation, and 2 patients had sudden cardiac death. Significantly more often, patients with refractory hypertension developed any event compared with patients with controlled (38.7% versus 3.4%; p=0.005) and resistant hypertension (38.7% versus 13.6%; p=0.04). Also, patients from the group of probably refractory hypertension were more likely to develop events than patients with controlled hypertension (33.3% versus 3.4%; p=0.045). Patients with probably refractory hypertension significantly more often had a stroke than patients with controlled hypertension (22.2% versus 0%; p<0.05), and patients with refractory hypertension significantly more often had a transient ischemic attack compared with patients from the group of controlled hypertension (12.9% versus 0.7%; p=0.03).

Conclusion. Patients with refractory and probably refractory hypertension are significantly more likely to develop cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications than patients with controlled hypertension.

The review discusses the current state of the problem of screening patients for early detection of primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) as a potential cause of arterial hypertension (AH). The features of screening, methodological errors that make it difficult to interpret the results of the study are considered. The screening criteria are analyzed, based on which it is possible to assess the probability of diagnosis of PHA and judge its prevalence in various populations of patients with AH – categories of high risk for the development of PHA. Attention is drawn to the low level of screening in patients with AH in order to detect PHA , and to the need for wider familiarization of doctors with the methods of screening and diagnosis of PHA as the cause of uncontrolled AH. The importance of timely diagnosis of PHA and its targeted treatment to reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications associated with hypersecretion of aldosterone is emphasized.

PRO (patient reported outcomes) is a patient's subjective assessment of health and quality of life, without interpretation by a specialist. PROM (patient reported outcomes measure) – questionnaires are used to analyzing this data. Assessment of the quality of life is a perspective direction, which allows to improve the quality of medical care and treatment results. Today, there are many questionnaires PROM, their reliability and validity has been proven in numerous studies. Unified standards and methods for developing and evaluating questionnaires have been developed. Interest in the use of quality of life questionnaires is increasing constantly. However, studies analyzing the data of the PROM questionnaires are rarely found in the national literature. Quality of life is also poorly researched in clinical practice. The aim of the literature review is to present modern methods for assessing the quality of life of patients, especially with cancer. A review of the most widespread and reliable questionnaires and assessment instruments for the quality of life of a patient has been carried out. The analysis of world experience of their use in clinical practice, for patients with cancer has been performed. Examples of both general and specific questionnaires are given. PROM questionnaires are widely used among patients with cancer. However, incorrect use of PROMs is found in the literature, and in patients with certain nosologies PROM data studied poorly. Further analysis of the potential of PROM questionnaires implementation is required, as well as their translation and adaptation for use in Russian health care.

Paraprotein is a laboratory biomarker of plasma cell tumors and other lymphoproliferative diseases. Its determination is necessary for diagnosing, monitoring and assessment of therapy effectiveness. The lecture presents the main methods of qualitative and quantative analysis of monoclonal proteins: gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, immunofixation and nephelometry features, possibilities and limitations are reviewed. The main sources of errors and artifacts during these studies are considered. Also the difficulties in the diagnosis and interpretation of the results of serum and urine tests are highlighted.

The article discusses main directions and stages of the 45 years of Legionnaires disease study. Analysis of epidemiology and laboratory diagnostics of infection show as unknown until 1976 microorganism occupied a notable niche in the etiology of severe pneumonia. Control and monitoring of potential dangerous water systems, generating water aerosol containing Legionella in high concentration, plays a major role in the prevention of Legionnaires disease.