An Education Program for Risk Factor Management After an Acute Coronary Syndrome

Post on October 25, 2013 by André Broussard, D.C.

A Randomized Clinical Trial

JAMA Intern Med 2013 Oct 14;[EPub Ahead of Print], A Cohen, P Assyag, L Boyer-Chatenet, A Cohen-Solal, C Perdrix, M Dalichampt, PL Michel, G Montalescot, P Ravaud, PG Steg, I Boutron Research · October 24, 2013

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE

  • Can a nurse-led or dietician-led education program improve long-term reduction in risk factors after an acute coronary syndrome?
  • Patients were randomized to an education program in a non–hospital setting vs conventional care and followed for 1 year. The primary outcome was a composite that included smoking cessation, physical activity, and weight/waist reduction.
  • The program was unsuccessful in promoting any real change in lifestyle-related cardiovascular risk factors.

ABSTRACT

Importance: Lifestyle improvements after an acute coronary syndrome reduce cardiovascular risk but are difficult to achieve.

Objective: To determine whether a nurse-led or dietician-led cardiovascular risk factor education program would improve risk factor reduction over the long term after an acute coronary syndrome.

Design, Setting, and Participants: The Réseau Insuffisance Cardiaque (RESICARD) PREVENTION study was a 2-arm, parallel-group, multicenter, randomized clinical trial at 6 tertiary care hospitals in France. Patients hospitalized in a cardiac intensive care unit for an acute coronary syndrome with at least 1 lifestyle risk factor (current smoking, sedentary lifestyle, or overweight or obesity) were randomized according to a computer-generated list with sequentially numbered, sealed envelopes.

Intervention: Patients underwent an education program in a unique non–hospital setting (a House of Education) or were treated according to physicians’ usual standard of care.

Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was a composite that included at least 1 of the following: smoking cessation, at least 3 hours per week of physical activity, at least 5% reduction in weight, and at least 4% reduction in waist circumference. Patients were followed up for 1 year. An intent-to-treat analysis was performed.

Results: From June 21, 2006, to July 30, 2008, a total of 251 patients were randomized to the House of Education and 251 to conventional care. The 2 groups did not differ significantly at 12 months in the primary composite outcome (51.8% vs 49.8% success rate; adjusted relative risk [aRR], 1.11; 95% CI, 0.90-1.37) or with correction of all risk factors (aRR, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.89-1.66). Similarly, the 2 groups did not differ by physical activity (aRR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.92-1.21), smoking cessation (aRR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.87-1.13), and weight or waist reduction (aRR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.84-1.36).

Conclusions and Relevance: Compared with conventional care, the House of Education did not result in superior improvement in lifestyle-related cardiovascular risk factors after an acute coronary syndrome.

Full Story:  http://www.practiceupdate.com/journalscan/6412
Journal Abstract:  http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1748831

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