title: Attitudes to outcomes measured in clinical trials of cardiovascular prevention.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Selecting outcome measures in cardiovascular prevention trials should be informed by their importance to selected populations. Major vascular event outcomes are usually prioritized in these trials with considerably less attention paid to cognitive and functional outcomes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine views on importance of outcome measures used in clinical trials.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 367 individuals approached, 280 (76%) participated: outpatients attending cardiovascular prevention clinics (n = 97), active retirement groups members (n = 75), medical students (n = 108). Participants were asked to rank, in order of importance, outcome measures, which may be included in cardiovascular prevention trials. Results were compared between two groups: <65s (n = 157) and ≥65s (n = 104).
  
  
  RESULTS
  When asked what outcomes were most important to measure in cardiovascular prevention trials, respondents reported: death (31.6%) stroke (28.5%), dementia (26.9%), myocardial infarction (MI) (7.9%) and requiring nursing home (NH) care (5.1%). When asked the most relevant outcomes regarding successful ageing respondents reported; maintaining independence (32.4%), avoiding major illness (24.3%), good family life (23.6%), living as long as possible (15.8%), avoiding NH care (3.1%) and contributing to society (0.8%) as most important. When asked what outcome concerned them most about the future, respondents reported: dementia (32.6%), dependence (30.4%), death (12.8%), stroke (12.5%), cancer (6.2%) requiring NH care (4.8%) and MI (0.7%). Maintaining independence was considered most important in younger and older cohorts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cognitive and functional outcomes are important patient-relevant outcomes, sometimes more important than major vascular events. Incorporating these outcomes into trials may encourage patient participation and adherence to preventative regimens.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland, HRB Clinical Research Facility, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland and canavanmichelle@gmail.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Canavan
authors.affiliation: HRB Clinical Research Facility, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland and.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smyth
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.affiliation: Croí-The West of Ireland Cardiac Foundation, Moyola Lane, Newcastle, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Costello
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: O'Keeffe
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Mulkerrin
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland, HRB Clinical Research Facility, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland and.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010358:Patient Participation; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012923:Social Class; D055815:Young Adult