Online tool for cross-sectional and longitudinal comparison of socio-economic status indices based on postcodes in Australia.

Background: Socio-economic status (SES) is strongly associated with health outcomes, yet it remains relatively difficult to measure, particularly for longitudinal comparisons.

Aim: We have developed an interactive online tool (available at bit.ly/SEIFA-POA) that facilitates SES assessment based on postcodes (POA).

Evaluating the Role of Lipoprotein(a) in Enhancing Risk Stratification for the Presence and Extent of Subclinical Coronary Artery Disease Burden - A BioHEART-CT Study.

Aims: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has regained attention as an independent cardiovascular risk factor, particularly given emerging therapies entering late-phase clinical trials. Here, we aim to examine the association of Lp(a) with CAD and the potential of Lp(a) as an enrichment criterion for identifying individuals more likely to benefit from screening for subclinical CAD with CT imaging.

Methods: We analysed data from 1,718 adults undergoing CTCA for suspected CAD enrolled in the BioHEART study.

Relationship of haptoglobin phenotype and levels with sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes: A Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in diabetes (FIELD) substudy.

Aims: Haptoglobin (HP) phenotype has been reported to modulate fenofibrate benefit on coronary artery disease in type 2 diabetes. It is unknown whether HP phenotype and levels modulate fenofibrate benefit on sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR).

Methods: In plasma from 8,047 Australasian adults with type 2 diabetes in the FIELD trial, HP phenotype was determined, and HP levels were measured at baseline and after six-week fenofibrate run-in.

Haptoglobin phenotype and levels in type 2 diabetes and effects of fenofibrate.

Aims/hypothesis: In diabetes haptoglobin (Hp) 2 vs Hp 1 allelic product is associated with cardiac and renal complications. Few studies report both Hp phenotype and Hp levels. In a Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) trial substudy we evaluated the Hp phenotype, Hp levels, and fenofibrate effects.

Serum vitamin C status of people in New South Wales: retrospective analysis of findings at a public referral hospital.

Objectives: To examine the relationship between vitamin C status and demographic factors in New South Wales on the basis of serum vitamin C test results undertaken at the central pathology laboratory in Sydney, and to assess associations with age, gender, social disadvantage, and geographic remoteness.

Design, Setting: Retrospective observational study; analysis of vitamin C test results undertaken at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 1 January 2017 - 31 December 2021.

Main Outcome Measures: Vitamin C status (normal, serum concentration ≥ 40 μmol/L; hypovitaminosis C, 12-39 μmol/L; significant deficiency, < 12 μmol/L); associations of vitamin C status with year of testing, age, gender, socio-economic status (Index of Relative Socio-Economic Advantage and Disadvantage quintile), and geographic remoteness (Australian Statistical Geography Standard); rate of hypovitaminosis C or significant deficiency test results (relative to findings of normal levels; per 100 000 estimated resident population) by Statistical Area 3.

Factors associated with fragility fractures in type 2 diabetes: An analysis of the randomised controlled Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) study.

Aims: Fracture risk is elevated in some type 2 diabetes patients. Bone fragility may be associated with more clinically severe type 2 diabetes, although prospective studies are lacking. It is unknown which diabetes-related characteristics are independently associated with fracture risk.

Optimised plasma sample preparation and LC-MS analysis to support large-scale proteomic analysis of clinical trial specimens: Application to the Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) trial.

Purpose: Robust, affordable plasma proteomic biomarker workflows are needed for large-scale clinical studies. We evaluated aspects of sample preparation to allow liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis of more than 1500 samples from the Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) trial of adults with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Using LC-MS with data-independent acquisition we evaluated four variables: plasma protein depletion, EDTA or citrated anti-coagulant blood collection tubes, plasma lipid depletion strategies and plasma freeze-thaw cycles.

Australian Atherosclerosis Society Position Statement on Lipoprotein(a): Clinical and Implementation Recommendations.

This position statement provides guidance to cardiologists and related specialists on the management of adult patients with elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. Elevated Lp(a) is an independent and causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). While circulating Lp(a) levels are largely determined by ancestry, they are also influenced by ethnicity, hormones, renal function, and acute inflammatory events, such that measurement should be done after accounting for these factors.

Participant experiences of intervention to detect and manage familial hypercholesterolaemia in Australian general practice: A qualitative descriptive study.

Background And Objectives: General practitioners (GPs) are ideally placed to have a much larger role in detection and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) among their patients. The aim of this study was to seek the reflections of practice staff and newly diagnosed patients with FH on the implementation of an FH model of care in the general practice setting.

Method: Qualitative descriptive methodology was used.

Hypertriglyceridemia: rationale, design and implementation of the Australian Hypertriglyceridemia Registry.

Purpose Of Review: Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), aortic stenosis, hepatic steatosis and pancreatitis. We briefly review the aetiology and treatment of HTG and familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS), as well as the implementation of a clinical quality registry for improving care, the Australian Hypertriglyceridemia (AUSTRIG) Registry.

Recent Findings: There is a need to improve the detection of individuals with severe HTG and FCS, who could benefit from more intense and novel treatments to prevent end-organ damage.

Overcoming enzalutamide resistance in metastatic prostate cancer by targeting sphingosine kinase.

Background: Intrinsic resistance to androgen receptor signalling inhibitors (ARSI) occurs in 20-30% of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Ceramide metabolism may have a role in ARSI resistance. Our study's aim is to investigate the association of the ceramide-sphingosine-1-phosphate (ceramide-S1P) signalling axis with ARSI resistance in mCRPC.

Relationship of low molecular weight fluorophore levels with clinical factors and fenofibrate effects in adults with type 2 diabetes.

People with diabetes are at risk of chronic complications and novel biomarkers, such as Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) may help stratify this risk. We assessed whether plasma low-molecular weight AGEs, also known as LMW-fluorophores (LMW-F), are associated with risk factors, predict complications, and are altered by fenofibrate in adults with type 2 diabetes. Plasma LMW-F were quantified at baseline, after six weeks fenofibrate, and one year post-randomisation to fenofibrate or placebo.

Awareness of familial hypercholesterolaemia in Australian primary care: A qualitative descriptive study.

Background And Objectives: A lack of public and health professional awareness about familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) leads to an estimated 90,000 Australians remaining undiagnosed. The aim of this study was to establish the level of knowledge and awareness of FH in Australian general practices.

Method: A qualitative descriptive methodology was used to explore baseline knowledge and perceptions of practice staff about diagnosing and managing FH.

Synopsis of an integrated guidance for enhancing the care of familial hypercholesterolaemia: an Australian perspective.

Introduction: Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a common, heritable and preventable cause of premature coronary artery disease, with significant potential for positive impact on public health and healthcare savings. New clinical practice recommendations are presented in an abridged guidance to assist practitioners in enhancing the care of all patients with FH.

Main Recommendations: Core recommendations are made on the detection, diagnosis, assessment and management of adults, children and adolescents with FH.

The relationship of neutrophil elastase and proteinase 3 with risk factors, and chronic complications in type 2 diabetes: A Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) sub-study.

Introduction: Neutrophil elastase (NE) and proteinase 3 (PR3) are novel inflammation biomarkers. We investigated their associations with chronic complications, determinants of biomarker levels and effects of fenofibrate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes study.

Methods: Plasma NE and PR3 levels were quantified at baseline ( = 2000), and relationships with complications over 5-years assessed.

Essentials of a new clinical practice guidance on familial hypercholesterolaemia for physicians.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a common, heritable and preventable cause of premature coronary artery disease. New clinical practice recommendations are presented to assist practitioners in enhancing the care of all patients with FH. Core recommendations are made on the detection, diagnosis, assessment and management of adults, children and adolescents with FH.

Improving detection and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia in Australian general practice.

Objective: Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is characterised by elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, FH remains substantially underdiagnosed and undertreated. We employed a two-stage pragmatic approach to identify and manage patients with FH in primary healthcare.

Integrated Guidance for Enhancing the Care of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia in Australia.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a dominant and highly penetrant monogenic disorder present from birth that markedly elevates plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentration and, if untreated, leads to premature atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). There are approximately 100,000 people with FH in Australia. However, an overwhelming majority of those affected remain undetected and inadequately treated, consistent with FH being a leading challenge for public health genomics.

Dietary management of cardiovascular risk including type 2 diabetes.

Purpose Of Review: Recent changes or confirmations linking patterns of eating and specific dietary interventions in the management of cardiovascular risk factors including associations with prevalent and incident type 2 diabetes.

Recent Findings: Recently published guidance for dietary management of cardiovascular risk and type 2 diabetes have mostly common features. Major findings include a trend to replace strict quantitative advice on nutrients with qualitative advice on food consumption with exceptions for diabetes, global advice to increase intake of plant foods, confirmation to substitute mono and polyunsaturated oils for saturated and trans fats, new advisory on supplemental omega-3 intake, less limitation on dairy foods and fermented dairy foods encouraged, reduced emphasis on specific cholesterol-rich foods allowing greater consumption of eggs except for people with diabetes, processed meat consumption limited allowing modest intake of lean red meat, distinguishing between 'healthy' and 'unhealthy' carbohydrates including sugars, and maintaining advice on healthy bodyweight, reducing salt intake and encouraging water as preferred beverage.

Gaps in the Care of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia in Australia: First Report From the National Registry.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is under-diagnosed and under-treated worldwide, including Australia. National registries play a key role in identifying patients with FH, understanding gaps in care and advancing the science of FH to improve care for these patients.

Methods: The FH Australasia Network has established a national web-based registry to raise awareness of the condition, facilitate service planning and inform best practice and care services in Australia.

Uric acid predicts long-term cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes but does not mediate the benefits of fenofibrate: The FIELD study.

Aim: To explore the relationship between baseline uric acid (UA) levels and long-term cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and to determine whether the cardioprotective effects of fenofibrate are partly mediated through its UA-lowering effects.

Methods: Data from the Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) trial were utilized, comprising 9795 adults with T2D randomly allocated to treatment with fenofibrate or matching placebo. Plasma UA was measured before and after a 6-week, active fenofibrate run-in phase in all participants.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia: evolving knowledge for designing adaptive models of care.

Optimal care for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) requires patient-centred management, multidisciplinary teamwork, involvement of primary care practitioners, patient networks, support groups and high-quality clinical registries, implemented through models of care adapted to FH. Models of care - evidence-based and context-specific frameworks that aim to deliver the highest quality of care for patients and their families - allow the application of precision and multidisciplinary medicine to FH care and can serve as paradigms for the prevention of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in all at-risk patients and families worldwide. The exponential growth in the number of publications on diverse aspects of FH has provided new knowledge for developing essential elements of existing models of care.