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Background: Psychosocial risk factors (RFs) play a major role in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)., Aim: The COMET study aimed to obtain current data on psychosocial RFs in outpatients with arterial hypertension (AH) and/or coronary heart disease (CHD) seen in primary care facilities in 30 cities of Russia., Methods: In 2016-2017, a multicenter cross-sectional study was carried out involving 325 physicians from community primary care facilities who enrolled 2,775 patients with AH and/or CHD ≥ 55 years of age. However, only 73 CHD patients (2.6%) were not hypertensive, therefore, these patients were excluded from the analyses. As a result, current paper is based on the comparison of AH patients (n=1687) vs. participants with both CHD and AH (AH+CHD; n=1015). We collected patients' socio-demographic data, clinical features, traditional and psychosocial RFs, such as anxiety and depression, stress level, type D personality, and treatment adherence., Results: The study population (women, 72%; mean age ± SD, 66.7 ± 7.9 years) had a significant prevalence of psychosocial RF. 43.8% of AH patients and 45.5 % of participants with AH+CHD rated their income as low or very low, a low educational level was reported in 21.6% and 26.0%, respectively (both p=n/s). Social isolation was uncommon, but it occurred more frequently in AH+CHD patients (8.3% vs. 5.2%, p<0.01). Nevertheless, 40.2% of AH patients and 39.4% of AH+CHD were not married, and 26.0% and 24.6% were living alone, respectively. Elevated stress level was prevalent in more than 60% of patients (67.9% in AH patients vs. 67.7% in AH+CHD patents, p=n/s), and 63.3% and 64.8% of patients, respectively, reported stressful life events in the preceding year (p=n/s). Type D personality was more common in AH+CHD patients (41.2% vs. 35.8%; p<0.01). Clinically significant anxiety symptoms were prevalent in 24.7% ofAH patients and in 27.4% ofAH+CHD patients (p=n/s), and clinically significant depressive symptoms were identified in 13.9% and 20.9%, respectively (p<0.001)., Conclusion: We obtained current data on psychosocial RFs prevalence in outpatients with the most common CVDs in primary care setting. At the moment, their prevalence remains significant.

Background: Objective was to measure preventable premature loss of life in countries from same geographical area but with considerable differences in social and economic development. By comparing inter-country differences and similarities in premature mortality, acceleration of health-in-all-policies is enhanced., Methods: Preventable premature deaths were described by Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL). Data consisted of death registers for 2003, 2009 and 2013. PYLL-rates were age-standardized by using standard OECD population from 1980 and expressed as sum of lost life years per 100 000 citizens., Results: In Northern Dimension area, PYLL-rates had declined from 2003 to 2013. In 2013, worst PYLL-rate was in Belarus 9851 and best in Sweden 2511. PYLL-rates among men were twice as high as among women. Most premature losses (1023) were due to external causes. Malignant neoplasms came second (921) and vascular diseases third (816). Alcohol was also an important cause (270) and country differences were over 10-fold., Conclusions: In ND-area, the overall development of public health has been good during 2003-13. Nevertheless, for all countries foci for public health improvement and learning from each other could be identified. Examining the health of populations in countries from relatively similar geographical area with different social history and cultures can provide them with evidence-based tools for health-in-all-policies to advocate health promotion and disease prevention. Gender differences due to preventable premature deaths are striking. The higher the national PYLL-rate, the bigger the PYLL-rate difference between men and women and the loss of human capital., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.)

A report was presented on all four Hot Line: Late-Breaking Clinical Trials sessions of the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2017 on the results of new clinical research in cardiology.

Background: Psychosocial (PS) risk factors (RF) make a substantial contribution in populational burden of cardio-vascular diseases (CVD) and their complications., Purpose: The KOMETA (Comet) study was directed to obtaining actual information on PSRF among ambulatory patients with arterial hypertension (AH) and / or ischemic heart disease (IHD) in 30 cities of Russian Federation., Materials and Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016-2017. Doctors participating in the study (n=325) recruited in state polyclinics 2775 patients aged ≥55 years with AH and / or IHD. Information collected from these patients comprised social-demographic and clinical characteristics, data on RF, adherence to therapy. Assessment of PSRF was carried out with consideration of levels of anxiety, depression and stress, presence of personality type D., Results: Population of patients studied (72 % women) was characterized by considerable prevalence of PSRFs. Low levels of education and income were found in 24.5 and 44.2 % of patients, respectively; 25.2 % of patients reported living alone, 6.3 % - felt social isolation. Elevated, extremely high levels of stress, type D personality were detected in 67.8, 10, and 37.6 % of patients, respectively; clinically significant symptoms of anxiety and depression were found in 25.5 and 16.3 %, respectively. Most RFs were significantly more often detected in women, and older people. One third of patients (33.1 %) during a year preceding inclusion took some psychotropic drugs mainly herbal or barbiturate-containing (27.1 %). Moreover, 30 % of patients had lowering of cognitive functioning., Conclusion: In this large-scale study we revealed high prevalence of PSRFs among ambulatory patients with AH and / or IHD in Russia. Despite positive dynamics of prevalence of states of anxiety and depression relative to earlier studies in this country their negative impact on prognosis of CVD and quality of life of affected patients requires optimization of efforts for organization of adequate care and directed to timely diagnosis and correction of these states.

Background: More than 10 years passed since conduction of the first clinical-epidemiological study of prevalence of psychosocial risk factors (PSRF) in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) an/or ischemic heart disease in Russian Federation., Purpose: to assess current prevalence of PSRF in patients with AH/CHD and their relationship with traditional risk factors., Materials and Methods: Patients with verified AH and/or CHD aged ≥55 years were included into this cross-sectional study in 30 cities of Russia representing 7 federal districts according to the following procedure. In each city we selected 2-5 federal clinics - providers of primary medical care; in each of these clinics we at random invited 2-5 physicians to take part in this study. Each of these physicians for 1-2 days included 10 consecutive patients with AH and/or CHD. Information collected from patients comprised social demographic and clinical characteristics, risk factors, adherence to therapy; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was applied for detection of symptoms of anxiety and depression. Obtained information was used for analysis of prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and their association with symptoms of depression and anxiety in a framework of Pearson linear and Kendall rank correlation analysis., Results: Symptoms of anxiety of various severity (HADS-A≥7) were detected in 42.2% of patients with AH and/or CHD, in 25.5% they were clinically significant (HADS-A≥11). Symptoms of depression of various severity (HADS-D ≥7) were detected in 42.5% of patients with AH and/or CHD, in 16.3% they were clinically significant (HADS-D≥11). We also observed several significant associations of symptoms of depression and anxiety with traditional cardiovascular risk factors: low level of physical activity, elevated systolic and diastolic arterial pressure, level of total cholesterol, abdominal obesity; some unhealthy nutritional habits., Conclusions: Prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression was found to be high among ambulatory patients with AH and/or CHD. However, in this study it was lower compared with that reported by previous studies in Russia.

Background: The picture of primary prevention obtained from real-life practice makes possible scheduling measures for prevention improvement., Aim: To analyze features of drug and non-drug therapy aimed at decreasing cardiovascular risk in Russian patients with a high risk (HR) of CVD compared with the study general population., Materials and Methods: 14 European countries, including the Russian Federation, participated in this cross-sectional study. The study included patients aged 18-80 without clinical signs of atherosclerosis who have received antihypertensive and/or lipid-lowering therapy and/or therapy for diabetes mellitus (DM) within >6 to.

Relevance: Evaluation of the effectiveness of risk management in persons with high cardiovascular risk is an important element in reducing the death rate of the population from cardiovascular diseases (CVD)., Aim: Analysis of the prevalence and level of risk factors control in patients with high CV risk CVD from the Russian centers of the primary care unit of the EUROASPIRE IV study in comparison with the general population of the study., Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 14 European countries, including the Russian Federation, participated. Patients aged 18 to 79 years were included in the study, without clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis, who were prescribed antihypertensive therapy and/or lipid lowering therapy and/or treatment for diabetes between the ages of ≥6 months and.

The results of the Russian part of the EUROASPIRE IV study show that we have a large room for improvement of traditional risk factors management in CAD patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndromes, PCI or CABG (at average in 1.7 years of follow-up after index events). It is also true for other European countries, although certain differences exist between Russian and whole study population. In some respects, the results of secondary prevention in Russian patients were even more successful: e.g. effective blood pressure control was achieved in 73.4% of our patients taking antihypertensive drugs vs 53.5% in whole study population. In contrast, smoking was more prevalent among Russian patients (22.2% vs 15.0% in other countries). Obviously, it was related to lower frequency of smoking cessation support offered to our patients: only 1.1% were referred to a smoking cessation program, 3.2% were prescribed nicotine replacement therapy, none were prescribed varenicline (vs 18.6, 22.9, 6.2%, respectively, in whole study population). The Russian cohort had the highest rate of overweight and obesity compared to other European countries (93.1 vs 82.1% in whole study population). 74.9% our patients received lipid lowering drugs (vs 86.6% in Europe), although the LDL-C goal was achieved only in 15.9% of our patients taking lipid lowering drugs (vs 21.1% in whole study population).

Background: Russia has high smoking rates and weak tobacco control policies. A simulation model is used to examine the effect of tobacco control policies on past and future smoking prevalence and premature mortality in Russia., Methods: The Russia model was developed using the SimSmoke tobacco control model previously developed for the USA and other nations. The model inputs population size, birth, death and smoking rates specific to Russia. It assesses, individually and in combination, the effect of seven types of policies consistent with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC): taxes, smoke-free air, mass media campaign, advertising bans, warning labels, cessation treatment and youth access policies. Outcomes are smoking prevalence and the number of smoking-attributable deaths by age and gender from 2009 to 2055., Results: Increasing cigarette taxes to 70% of retail price, stronger smoke-free air laws, a high-intensity media campaign and comprehensive treatment policies are each potent policies to reduce smoking prevalence and smoking-attributable premature deaths in Russia. With the stronger set of policies, the model estimates that, relative to the status quo trend, smoking prevalence can be reduced by as much as 30% by 2020, with a 50% reduction projected by 2055. This translates into 2 684 994 male and 1 011 985 female premature deaths averted from 2015-2055., Conclusions: SimSmoke results highlight the relative contribution of policies to reducing the tobacco health burden in Russia. Significant inroads to reducing smoking prevalence and premature mortality can be achieved through strengthening tobacco control policies in line with FCTC recommendations., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.)

This paper presents the specific features of clinical manifestation and treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) in the Russian Federation and compares them to the data from other countries participating in the international CLARIFY (ProspeCtive observational LongitudinAl RegIstry oF patients with stable coronary arterY disease) Registry. In accordance with the exclusion and inclusion criteria, 2249 patients from 43 Russian regions were included in the Registry. Russian patients were younger and had a higher prevalence of risk factors and comorbidities, compared to patients from other countries. In particular, the former more often had cardiovascular disease in family history, smoked (20.9% vs 11.8%; p<0.0001), and had dyslipidemia (77.8% vs 74.6%; p<0.0001) or hypertension (79.6% vs 70.3%; p<0.0001).They also had a higher heart rate (p<0.0001). ). While the incidence of myocardial infarction, based on medical history, was significantly higher than in patients from other countries (78.3% vs 58.4%; p<0.0001), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed 2.5 times less often. Particularly striking differences were observed for the prevalence of stable angina and heart failure, which was, respectively, 4.0 and 7.8 times higher in Russian patients, despite the fact that the prescription frequency was similar in the Russian Federation and other countries. These findings should focus Russian doctors attention on the potential ways to solve the problem of "national features" in the treatment of stable CHD.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is used by biomedical journals to guarantee credibility and transparency of the scientific process. Conflict of interest disclosure, however, is not systematically nor consistently dealt with by journals. Recent joint editorial efforts paved the way towards the implementation of uniform vehicles for conflicts of interest disclosure. This paper provides a comprehensive editorial perspective on classical conflict of interest-related issues. New insights into current conflicts of interest policies and practices among European Society of Cardiology national cardiovascular journals, as derived from a cross-sectional survey using a standardized questionnaire, are discussed.

Background: There are several reasons for the gap between guidelines and routine practice of cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. Among these patient-related factors are interest and motivation for lifestyle modification., Design: The article represents a subgroup analysis of RELIF (REgularnoe Lechenie I proFilaktika) study conducted in 20 cities of Russia, where five polyclinics were selected randomly, with five general practitioners (GPs) in each. Each GP enrolled five consecutive hypertensive patients., Methods: Physicians and patients completed questionnaires concerning patients' medical history, risk factors (RF), health education, interest in lifestyle changes, recommendations and compliance. Patients also completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Statistical analysis was performed by variation statistics standard algorithm., Results: 1078 patients were enrolled. The survey revealed a high prevalence of cardiovascular RF (e.g. hyperlipidemia in 64.23 per cent of patients, obesity in 43.97 per cent, smoking in 43.51 per cent of men) as well as of unhealthy food habits. Anxiety was seen in 55.4 per cent of patients and depressive symptoms in 44.8 per cent. A minority knew the cardiovascular RF: hypertension was listed by 22.4 per cent of men and 32.5 per cent of women; obesity by 18.3 per cent of men and 27.8 per cent of women; smoking by 34.9 per cent (men) and 14.9 per cent (women); and cholesterol by 3.3 per cent (men) and 7.7 per cent (women). Among both men and women, 30 per cent knew the limits of normal BP. Many patients (86 per cent) received information predominantly from GPs, and were not satisfied with it. A large number of patients (79.3 per cent) demonstrated various degree of readiness for lifestyle changes, and 30.62-48.8 per cent of patients were interested in additional education., Conclusions: The study demonstrates both high prevalence of RF in hypertensives in Russia, and low level of patient's knowledge on CVD-related issues. The high level of patients' motivation for lifestyle changes offers possibilities for future improvement.

Unlabelled: The KOORDINATA study (clinical epidemiological program of investigation of depression in cardiological practice in patients with arterial hypertension and ischemic heart disease) was a prospective 3 year long multicenter study of effects of depressive and anxiety states on the course and prognosis of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and arterial hypertension (AH)., Material and Methods: Patients (n=5038, age more or equal 55 years) with verified IHD and/or AH from 37 cities were included into the study. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed by the HADS scale (Hospital Anxiety And Depression Scale) validated in Russia., Results: Clinically significant symptoms of anxiety ( more or equal 11 HADS) were present in 33 and 38%, of depression - in 30 and 38% of patients with IHD and AH, respectively. Presence of clinically manifested depression at initial examination increased 1.59 times combined risk of nonfatal and fatal cases (odds ratio [OR] 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30-1.96, p=0.0001), 1.64 times - risk of cardiovascular death (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.20-2.24, p=0.0021), and 1.82 times - risk of death from all causes (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.41-2.34, p=0.0001). It is known that for somatic patients crossover of anxiety and depression symptoms is typical (simultaneous presence of some symptoms of anxiety and depression). Total HADS score equal to 11 or more increased risk of all cause death (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.08-1.84, p=0.0111), as well as fatal and nonfatal events (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.08-1.65, p=0.0089)., Conclusion: Taking into consideration negative effect of depressive symptoms on prognosis it is recommended to screen patients with IHD in the first place those who have had myocardial infarction and brain stroke with the aim of detection of depression and anxiety depressive symptoms and subsequent their adequate correction.

Aim: To elucidate the role of nitrous oxide (NO) in development of severe primary arterial hypertension (AH) including malignant hypertension and concomitant ischemic heart disease (IHD)., Material and Method: Patients with diagnosis of primary 1-3 degree AH (n=62, 21 men, 41 women aged 39-87 years, mean age 63.7+/-2.7 years) and 28 subjects with normal arterial pressure (AP) (n=28, 13 men, 15 women aged 30-85 years, mean age 57.5+/-7.8 years). Blood serum levels of NO stable metabolites (nitrates and nitrites) were measured by reaction of their reduction in the presence of vanadium chloride and by reaction of diazotization of sulfanilamide by generated nitrite (modification by R.M.Miranda et al., 2001)., Results: NO level (level of its stable metabolites) was substantially elevated in patients with various severity of AH compared with subjects with normal AP. Severe and malignant course of AH was not associated with substantial lowering of NO level in blood serum. Relation between NO level and age found in subjects with normal AP, was not observed in patients with labile and stable course of AH. In patients with AH, normal serum NO level and signs of chronic involvement of cardiovascular system the disease was several times more often associated with atrial fibrillation and class II-III angina than in patients with high NO levels. Patients with AH combined with IHD more often had signs of heart failure and history of myocardial infarction.

Aim: To analyse recent data on the treatment of arterial hypertension (AH) with other risk factors (RF) of cerebral stroke in the Russian Federation, assessment of effects of antihypertensive treatment with a combined drug Hyzaar on the risk of cardiovascular complications (including cerebral stroke), on affection of target organs and metabolic factors of atherosclerosis., Material and Methods: A total of 500 outpatients with primary AH and risk factors including the risk of stroke received Hyzaar (losartan 50/100 mg and hydrochlorthiaside 12.5/25 mg) for one year., Results: More frequent RF in hypertensive patients are the following: high blood cholesterol (86.7%), left ventricular hypertrophy (53.2%), familial history of AH (74.2%). A combination of three and two RF occurs in 49.1 and 37% hypertensive patients, respectively. A 6-month treatment with Hyzaar lowered systolic blood pressure by 28.4 mm Hg and diastolic one by 15.4 mm Hg. The target blood pressure was achieved in 83.5%. Real clinical practice showed that administration of a target Hyzaar dose for 6 months leads to a 6.5% regress of left ventricular hypertrophy, an 11% decrease of total cholesterol, a 4% decrease of glucose and a 8.9% decrease of uric acid., Conclusion: A control of AH and correction of RF in hypertensive patients with a high RF of stroke and other cardiovascular complications is real in use of adequate antihypertensive therapy.

Novel innovative technology of assessment of level of total cardiovascular risk with consideration of a broad list of parameters of the state of individual health and its determining factors is described. The proposed model of risk is based on results of 20-year prospective observation of large contingents of population of Russia. For the first time the model of risk was constructed taking into account in addition to traditional risk factors and clinical characteristics peculiarities of population of Russia, in particular level of education. It was found in prospective studies that level of education in this country appeared to be an independent marker of risk and that traditional risk factors (behavioral, biochemical etc) had different prognostic value at different levels of education. Novel scale of risk and elaborated on its basis computer program of risk assessment allow to widen indications to its application, elevate accuracy of estimation of risk of development of fatal cardiovascular diseases for population of Russia, to obtain for a concrete patient parameters of absolute as well as relative risk (in % of excess or lowering of risk relative to its average statistical value for population with same age, sex, and level of education). The elaborated technology of estimation of total individual risk was tested on various contingents of patients with verified diagnoses of cardiovascular diseases as well as in groups of relatively healthy volunteers. Medical technology of risk assessment by novel scale is designed for application during primary screening of various population groups and can be fulfilled by both physicians and intermediate medical personnel. At present the computer program for assessment of cardiovascular risk based on this novel method is being prepared for clinical testing and subsequent implementation.

Aim: To study efficacy and safety of a preparation of carvedilol Acridilol (Akrikhin, Russia) in patients with mild and moderate arterial hypertension (AH) and obesity and/or compensated type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM)., Material and Methods: Patients (n=592) suffering from mild to moderate AH in combination with DM and/or obesity participated in a randomized comparative open study with parallel groups. By means of randomization these patients were distributed into 2 groups: patients of group 1 (n=291) after washout period following withdrawal of previously taken b-blockers received acridilol for 24 weeks together with other antihypertensive therapy. In control group 2 (n=301) stable antihypertensive therapy was carried out during 24 weeks. Efficacy of hypotensive therapy was assessed during visits to physicians every 2 weeks throughout the whole study. At the beginning and in the end of the study we conducted assessment of biochemical parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, registered 12-lead ECG, and assessed status of anxiety and depression., Results of the Study: At the background of the conducted treatment in patients of both groups significant lowering of hemodynamic parameters (systolic and diastolic BP and heart raid) was revealed, differences between groups by the 24-th week were statistically significant. By the end of the study target BP level was achieved in 96.8% of patients in carvedilol group and in 88% of patients of control group (p < 0.001). In both groups positive dynamics of parameters of anxiety-depression status of patients was noted while therapy with carvedilol (acridilol) led to statistically significant (p=0.01) improvement of status of depression compared with control treatment. Also necessity in hospitalization significantly decreased in patients of both groups: number of hospitalizations declined 5 times in acridilol group (p < 0.0001) and 3 times in control group (p < 0.0001). During the study 32 cases of adverse effects were registered: 17 at the background of therapy with acridilol and 15 at the background of control treatment (p=0.58), however most of them were of weak or moderate degree of severity., Conclusion: The results obtained demonstrate high efficacy and safety of the preparation of carvedilol acridilol in patients with combination pathology, high metabolic risk, and high risk of cardiovascular complications.

The first results of a big Russian multicenter study " RELIF - Regular treatment and prevention - the key of improvement of the situation with cardiovascular diseases in Russia " are presented. The study examines the accordance of arterial hypertension (AH) and coronary heart disease (CHD) treatment recommended by physicians to contemporary standards. Patients adherence to physicians recommendations is also studied. 512 general practitioners and 2517 patients with AH and CHD from 20 cities of Russia were included. In the present article the current situation with medical treatment of AH, isolated or in comorbidity with CHD is presented.

COORDINATA - Russian multicenter prospective (3 year long) study having the aim to elucidate influence of symptoms of anxiety and depression on cardiovascular (CV) prognosis in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) and ischemic heart disease (IHD). Results of 1.5 years of prospective phase of the study are presented. Material and methods. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HDS) in 5038 patients with AH and/or IHD aged 55 years and older. By the end of 1.5 years follow up telephonic interview was carried out with 4449 patients or their relatives in the course of which occurrence of soft and hard end points (cardiovascular complications and deaths of IHD, cardiovascular and other causes) were established. There were 142 deaths (60.6% cardiovascular), 85 strokes, and 42 dynamic disturbances of cerebral circulation. Total number of hard and soft end points was 356 (8.0%). Presence of depressive, anxious, and combined anxious-depressive symptoms in patients with AH/IHD at initial examination increased 1.5 - 2 fold risk of development of cardiovascular catastrophes and death (due to IHD, CV and all causes). Besides psychological factors clear-cut influence on prognosis exerted sex, age, level of education and income of patients, smoking (both in the past and at inclusion in the study), low level of daily physical activity, elevated levels of blood pressure and heart rate, as well as a row of social characteristics of patients.

The paper presents results of the conducted in Russia large scale study " REgularnoye Letcheniye I ProPHylaktika (Regular Treatment and Prevention) -- the key to improvement of situation with cardiovascular diseases in Russia -- RELIPH " on assessment of conformity of recommended by medical practitioners treatment of arterial hypertension (AH) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) to contemporary standards as well as compliance of patients to physician s recommendations. Local physicians/general practitioners (n=512) and patients (n=2517) with AH (isolated and combined with IHD) from 20 cities in Russia participated in the study. This publication contains data on assessment of compliance of patients to antihypertensive therapy and to recommendations of physicians concerning non-drug treatment, as well as analysis of large number of factors closely associated with compliance.