Screening for intermediate risk factors for coronary heart disease

Periodontal disease, carotid intima media thickness, homocysteine, and lipoprotein(a) probably provide independent information about coronary heart disease risk, but data about their prevalence and impact when added to Framingham risk score in intermediate-risk individuals are limited

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Helfand, Mark
Corporate Authors: Oregon Health & Science University Evidence-based Practice Center, United States Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: Rockville, MD Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality 2009, 2009
Series:Evidence syntheses
Subjects:
Online Access:
Collection: National Center for Biotechnology Information - Collection details see MPG.ReNa
Description
Summary:Periodontal disease, carotid intima media thickness, homocysteine, and lipoprotein(a) probably provide independent information about coronary heart disease risk, but data about their prevalence and impact when added to Framingham risk score in intermediate-risk individuals are limited
REVIEW METHODS: We rated the validity and applicability of each included study and characterized several dimensions of the body of evidence for each risk factor. For applicability, we assessed whether the study was drawn from the general population or a demographic subset of asymptomatic adults; whether it included or focused on intermediate-risk individuals (those who have a 10% - 20% 10-year risk of coronary heart disease events); and the measurement of the Framingham and emerging risk factors and of endpoints. We conducted several meta-analyses of the ability of each of the risk factors to predict major coronary heart disease events independently of Framingham risk factors in intermediate-risk subjects. RESULTS: Results of the literature review are summarized in the Tables. There are no definitive data from randomized trials on how use of any of these factors in risk assessment would affect cardiac morbidity and mortality.
OBJECTIVES: In the United States, coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease account for nearly 40% of deaths each year. An individual's estimated risk for coronary heart disease events, often based on factors incorporated into the Framingham risk score, guides the intensity of risk reduction interventions. We conducted a systematic review of epidemiologic studies to help the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force determine which, if any, of 9 additional risk factors should be considered for incorporation into guidelines for coronary and cardiovascular risk assessment in primary care. DATA SOURCES: We conducted multiple searches of MEDLINE (1966 to March 2006) for epidemiologic studies relevant to the independent predictive ability of the risk factor when used in intermediate-risk individuals. We obtained additional articles from recent systematic reviews, reference lists of pertinent studies, reviews, editorials, websites, and by consulting experts.
We used a mathematical model to assess the potential impact of using a test for C-reactive protein in intermediate-risk individuals. Under the assumption that those reclassified as high risk (>20% 10-year risk) would have a 30% reduction in the 10-year risk of coronary heart disease events, the main finding was that, use of C-reactive protein could reclassify enough intermediate-risk men to have a major impact. CONCLUSION: Several emerging risk factors provided independent information about coronary heart disease risk, but for most there were limitations in the evidence base. Across all of the criteria listed in the table, C-reactive and electron beam computed tomography scan had the strongest evidence for an independent effect in intermediate-risk individuals, and both reclassify some individuals as high-risk. However, data on electron beam computed tomography are relatively sparse, the technique is more expensive, and its potential harms require more investigation.
Item Description:Title from home page caption. - "Report no. 10-05141-EF-1.". - Mode of access: World Wide Web