Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have long been considered the gold standard for studying therapeutic medications—but they are no longer the only data source for deepening scientific understanding of medical conditions, comorbidities and patient outcomes. Clinical data registries, which capture vast quantities of real-world data, have become invaluable for generating insights beyond those RCTs can offer. 

Clinical data registries harness the power of real-world clinical practice data, often from electronic health records (EHRs). Spanning diverse patient populations, these data can provide a longitudinal overview of disease progression, patient demographics, comorbid conditions, outcomes and more. 

A recent case study published in BMC Endocrine Disorders clearly illustrates the power of clinical data registries to provide scientific insights. In this retrospective analysis, researchers utilized the Veradigm Cardiology Registry (formerly the PINNACLE Registry) to investigate the potential causal relationship between obesity and Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). 

Rising prevalence of HFpEF, obesity and metabolic syndrome: are they related? 

Historically, heart failure has been associated with reduced ejection fraction; however, over the past several decades, the incidence of HFpEF has risen steadily. The prevalence of both obesity and metabolic syndrome have also increased during this timeframe, but the relationship between HFpEF and these comorbidities is poorly understood. Although obesity is common among patients with HFpEF, it’s unclear whether obesity is a driving factor. 

In this case study, researchers utilized the Veradigm Cardiology Registry to characterize the interactions between obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other comorbidities among real-world patients with HFpEF. This clinical data registry captures data on patients with coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart failure and atrial fibrillation, providing researchers with access to a large pool of de-identified patient data sourced from geographically distributed clinical practices. 

Starting with a study population of over 264K patients with HFpEF, the analysis stratified patients by obesity diagnosis and the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome (defined as 3 or more of the following conditions: diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and obesity). Researchers employed multivariable logistic regression to evaluate patients with HFpEF for relationships between obesity, metabolic syndrome and the presence of other comorbidities. 

Study findings

The analysis revealed that both obesity and metabolic syndrome were common among patients with HFpEF, although not always co-occurring. Patients with obesity-related HFpEF tended to be younger, female and non-Hispanic Black more often than those without comorbid obesity. Patients with obesity-related HFpEF also had lower odds of having other comorbidities than non-obese HFpEF patients. 

These results suggest that patients with obesity may develop HFpEF even in the absence of other driving factors. These study findings support future exploration of whether obesity might be an independent driver of HFpEF rather than an outcome resulting from other cardiovascular comorbidities. 

The Veradigm cardiology registry

The Veradigm Network offers extensive coverage across a wide range of specialties, diseases, and geographic areas across the United States. Veradigm’s solutions connect providers and patients via both the Practice Fusion EHR and the Veradigm FollowMyHealth Patient Engagement Platform. 

Veradigm operates the Veradigm Cardiology Registry in collaboration with the American College of Cardiology to advance the next generation of real-world research supporting patients with cardiovascular disease worldwide. This large, outpatient quality improvement registry, captures data on coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart failure and atrial fibrillation patient demographics. Data are collected from cardiologists, primary care physicians, and other healthcare professionals and include patients with a wide range of insurance coverage. 

As a result, data sourced from the Veradigm Cardiology Registry provides a valuable resource for longitudinal studies such as this case study—studies that can reveal new medical insights, enable better treatment and improve patient outcomes. 

Clinical data registries such as the Veradigm Cardiology Registry are invaluable to the future of cardiovascular medicine. Contact Veradigm today to learn more about how the Veradigm Network and its real-world data solutions can help you achieve your research goals.