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Background: In Danish administrative registers, ejection fraction (EF) is not recorded, which is a considerable limitation for correct subclassification of patients with heart failure (HF). We hypothesized that a diagnosis of HF combined with the recorded prescription of both renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors and beta- blockers (RASi+BB) within 120 days could identify patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (EF ≤ 40%) (HFrEF). Methods: On two sites, we identified all patients with a first-time registration of HF as primary hospital discharge diagnosis (ICD-10: I50) between June 1, 2016, and May 31, 2018 in inpatient or outpatient settings. Patients were included if they survived the initial 120 days after discharge. Reviewing patient records, we identified patients with HFrEF, based on EF ≤ 40% and reported HF symptoms. We registered the use of RASi+BB at 120 days and calculated sensitivity, specificity and predictive values. Results: A total of 704 consecutive patients with a primary diagnosis of HF were included, of whom 541 (77%) fulfilled the HFrEF criteria. Patients with HFrEF confirmed from patient records were younger (median age 73 compared to 79 years) and less frequently women (31% compared to 56%) compared to non-HFrEF patients. At baseline, 24 (4%) of HFrEF patients were treated with RASi+BB compared to 22 (14%) of non-HFrEF patients. At 120 days, 460 (85%) of HFrEF patients received RASi+BB as compared to 25 (15%) of non-HFrEF patients. This resulted in a positive predictive value of 95%, sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 85%. Conclusion: In Denmark, the ICD-10 HF diagnosis combined with recorded RASi+BB treatment by 120 days after discharge has high positive predictive value and can accurately be used to identify patients with HFrEF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE--Psoriasis is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events and increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality that may be associated with psoriasis, but conflicting results have been presented and nationwide data on the risk of new-onset DM in patients with psoriasis have not been reported. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--The study comprised a Danish population ≥10 years of age on 1 January 1997 who were followed until new-onset DM, death, or 31 December 2009. Information on comorbidity, concomitant medication, and socioeconomic status was linked on an individual level. The primary study end point was DM requiring pharmacotherapy. Incidence rates for the development of DM events per 1,000 observational years were calculated and adjusted. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were estimated by Poisson regression. RESULTS--A total of 4,614,807 subjects were eligible for analysis, with a maximum follow-up of 13 years. In the study period, 52,613 patients with psoriasis, including 6,784 patients with severe psoriasis, were identified. The overall incidence rates for new-onset DM were 3.67 (CI 3.65-3.69), 6.93 (6.63-7.25), and 9.65 (8.68-10.73) for the reference population, mild psoriasis, and severe psoriasis, respectively. Compared with the reference population, the IRR of new-onset DM was increased in all patients with psoriasis, i.e., IRR 1.49 (CI 1.43-1.56) and 2.13 (1.91-2.37) for those with mild and severe psoriasis. CONCLUSIONS--In this nationwide cohort, psoriasis was associated with increased incidence rates of new-onset DM. The association remained statistically significant after adjustment for confounding factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine temporal changes in incidence rates of atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF), treatment strategies, and AF readmission rates in patients <65 years., Methods: Using Danish nationwide registries, we identified patients <65 years with a first-time AF diagnosis from 2000 to 2018. The cohort was categorized according to calendar periods; 2000-2002, 2003-2006, 2007-2010, 2011-2014, and 2015-2018. In this retrospective cohort study the incidence rate (IR) of AF per 100,000 person years (PY), catheter ablation, electrical cardioversion, use of pharmacotherapy, and AF readmission, were investigated in the first year following AF diagnosis., Results: We identified 60,917 patients; 8150 (13.4%) in 2000-2002, 11,898 (19.5%) in 2003-2006, 13,560 (22.3%) in 2007-2010, 14,167 (23.3%) in 2011-2014, and 13,142 (21.6%) in 2015-2018. Apart from 2015 to 2018, a stepwise increase in the crude IR of AF was observed across calendar periods; 2000-2002: 78.7 (95% CI 77.0;80.4), 2003-2006: 86.3 (84.7;87.8), 2007-2010: 97.9 (96.3;99.6), 2011-2014: 102.3 (100.7;104.0), 2015-2018: 93.6 (92.0;95.2). Over the studied time-periods, we found a stepwise increase in the cumulative incidence of catheter ablation (1.2% to 7.6%) electrical cardioversion (2.0% to 8.7%) and treatment with oral anticoagulant therapy (OAC) (28.5% to 47.8%) within the first year of diagnosis. No temporal differences in incidence of 1-year AF readmission were identified (AF-readmissions: 2000-2002: 32.7%, 2003-2006: 31.1%, 2007-2010: 32.2%, 2011-2014: 32.1% and 2015-2018: 31.7%)., Conclusion: The incidence rate of AF in patients <65 years increased from 2000 to 2018, as did the use of catheter ablation, electrical cardioversion and OAC in the first year following AF diagnosis. 1-year AF readmission incidence remained stable around 32% over the study period., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Lukas Schak, MB; None. Jeppe Kofoed Petersen, MB; None. Naja Emborg Vinding, MD; None. Charlotte Andersson MD, PhD; None. Peter E. Weeke MD, PhD; None. Søren Lund Kristensen MD, PhD; Astra Zeneca speaker fee outside submitted work. Anna Gundlund MD, PhD; None. Morten Schou MD, PhD; Speaker fee outside submitted work from Astra Zeneca, Novo Nordisk, Boehringer and Novartis. Lars Køber MD, DMSc; Speaker fee outside submitted work from Astra Zeneca, Bayer, Boehringer, Novartis and Novo Nordisk. Emil Loldrup Fosbøl MD, PhD; Independent research funding for project outside submitted work from Novo Nordisk and Danish Heart Association. Lauge Østergaard MD, PhD; None., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)