215112 Evaluation of a cardiovascular disease screening programme in primary care: Preliminary results

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 : 12:30 PM - 12:45 PM

Alexandra Clarke, MSc , School of Social Work, Psychology and Public Health, The University of Salford, Salford, United Kingdom
Deborah Baker, Professor , School of Social Work, Psychology and Public Health, The University of Salford, Salford, United Kingdom
Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the biggest cause of mortality and poor life expectancy in North-West England. The control of known risk factors is a proven means of reducing the burden of CVD at the population level. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a screening programme in reducing morbidity and mortality from CVD. Methods: The 'Find and Treat' CVD screening programme in Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Primary Care Trust, uses general practice records to construct a 10-year CVD risk score in those patients aged 50-74, with no previous CVD diagnosis. Those with a risk of 20% or more, and those who have incomplete risk factor data are invited for a screening interview. Measurements of CVD risk factors are recorded at the interview, and appropriate advice and treatment given. Results: The programme was rolled out from October 2007. In June 2009, 42 out of 60 practices were actively collecting data. Preliminary results identified 11,499 (5.1% of underlying population) patients with a CVD risk of ≥20%, and a further 20,965 (9.2%) were found to have insufficient risk factor data. Out of these, 6498 (20.0%) have attended a screening interview. The 'Find and Treat' programme has thus far identified and treated 269 (4.1%) new cases of diabetes, 566 (8.7%) patients with hypertension, 1795 (27.6%) patients with hyperlipidemia and 94 (1.5%) patients for ischemic heart disease. Conclusions: Early detection and control of CVD, and risk factors for CVD, can prevent the impact on morbidity and health care services.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Epidemiology
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1. Demonstrate the effectiveness of a screening programme in reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease in primary care. 2. Describe and explain the effectiveness of treatment regimens and support with lifestyle change with respect to risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Keywords: Heart Disease, Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present this work as I am the research study-co-ordinator of this project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5184.0: Controlling risk for CVD