Rikke E Mols1, Jesper M Jensen2, Niels Peter Sand3, Charlotte Fuglesang2, Døne Bagdat3, Peter Vedsted4, Hans Erik Bøtker2, Lene H Nielsen1, Bjarne L Nørgaard5. 1. Department of Cardiology, Lillebaelt Hospital-Vejle, Vejle, Denmark. 2. Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital-Skejby, Aarhus, Denmark. 3. Department of Cardiology, Hospital of South West Denmark-Esbjerg and The Regional Unit of Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark. 4. Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. 5. Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital-Skejby, Aarhus, Denmark. Electronic address: bnorgaard@dadlnet.dk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Direct health provider to patient presentation of coronary computed tomography angiography findings may increase adherence to preventive therapy and risk modification. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of visualization of coronary artery calcification and lifestyle recommendations on cholesterol concentrations and other risk variables in symptomatic patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease and hyperlipidemia. METHODS: We performed a prospective 2-center randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomized 1:1 to intervention or standard follow-up in general practice. The primary end point was change in plasma total cholesterol concentration at 6 months follow-up. RESULTS: We included 189 patients (mean [± standard deviation] age 61 [12] years, 57% were male). Median (range) Agatston score was 166 (70-2054). The reduction in plasma total cholesterol concentrations tended to be higher in the intervention group than in the control group, 51.04 mg/dL versus 45.63 mg/dL (P = .181). In a subgroup including patients continuing statin therapy during follow-up (n = 147), the reduction in plasma total cholesterol concentrations was more pronounced in the intervention group than in the control group, 66.13 mg/dL versus 55.68 mg/dL (P = .027). In the intervention group, there was a higher degree of statin adherence and a higher proportion of patients who stopped smoking and commenced healthier dietary behavior than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Visualization of coronary artery calcification and brief recommendations about risk modification after coronary computed tomography angiography in symptomatic patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease and hyperlipidemia may have a favorable influence on plasma total cholesterol concentration, adherence to statin therapy, and risk behavior. Further investigations are needed.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: Direct health provider to patient presentation of coronary computed tomography angiography findings may increase adherence to preventive therapy and risk modification. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of visualization of coronary artery calcification and lifestyle recommendations on cholesterol concentrations and other risk variables in symptomatic patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease and hyperlipidemia. METHODS: We performed a prospective 2-center randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomized 1:1 to intervention or standard follow-up in general practice. The primary end point was change in plasma total cholesterol concentration at 6 months follow-up. RESULTS: We included 189 patients (mean [± standard deviation] age 61 [12] years, 57% were male). Median (range) Agatston score was 166 (70-2054). The reduction in plasma total cholesterol concentrations tended to be higher in the intervention group than in the control group, 51.04 mg/dL versus 45.63 mg/dL (P = .181). In a subgroup including patients continuing statin therapy during follow-up (n = 147), the reduction in plasma total cholesterol concentrations was more pronounced in the intervention group than in the control group, 66.13 mg/dL versus 55.68 mg/dL (P = .027). In the intervention group, there was a higher degree of statin adherence and a higher proportion of patients who stopped smoking and commenced healthier dietary behavior than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Visualization of coronary artery calcification and brief recommendations about risk modification after coronary computed tomography angiography in symptomatic patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease and hyperlipidemia may have a favorable influence on plasma total cholesterol concentration, adherence to statin therapy, and risk behavior. Further investigations are needed.