Randomised clinical trial of an intensive intervention in the primary care setting of patients with high plasma fibrinogen in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: We have studied the possible effects of an intensive lifestyle change program on plasma fibrinogen levels, in patients with no cardiovascular disease, with elevated levels of fibrinogen, normal cholesterol levels, and a moderate estimated risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and we have also analysed whether the effect on fibrinogen is independent of the effect on lipids. RESULTS: This clinical trial was controlled, unblinded and randomized, with parallel groups, done in 13 Basic Health Areas (BHA) in l'Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona) and Barcelona city. The study included 436 patients, aged between 35 and 75 years, with no cardiovascular disease, elevated levels of fibrinogen (> 300 mg/dl), cholesterol < 250 mg/dl, 218 of whom received a more intensive intervention consisting of advice on lifestyle and treatment. The follow-up frequency of the intervention group was every 2 months. The other 218 patients followed their standard care in the BHAs. Fibrinogen, plasma cholesterol and other clinical biochemistry parameters were assessed.The evaluation of the baseline characteristics of the patients showed that both groups were homogenous. Obesity and hypertension were the most prevalent risk factors. After 24 months of the study, statistically significant changes were seen between the adjusted means of the two groups, for the following parameters: fibrinogen, plasma cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and body mass index. CONCLUSION: Intensive intervention to achieve lifestyle changes has shown to be effective in reducing some of the estimated CHD factors. However, the effect of intensive intervention on plasma fibrinogen levels did not correlate with the variations in cholesterol. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01089530.

Ensayo clínico de intervención en pacientes con hiperfibrinogenemia en prevención primaria de enfermedad cardiovascular en el ámbito de la atención primaria de salud / Clinical intervention study in the primary care setting of patients with high plasma fibrinogen in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease

Objetivos. Estudiar el posible efecto de un programa intensivo de modificación del estilo de vida en los valores de fibrinógeno plasmático en pacientes sin enfermedad cardiovascular, con fibrinógeno elevado y valores normales de colesterol y riesgo cardiovascular (RCV) moderado. Analizar si el efecto en el fibrinógeno es independiente o no del efecto en los lípidos. Métodos. Ensayo clínico controlado y aleatorizado. Se incluyeron 13 Áreas Básicas de Salud (ABS) de L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona) y Barcelona ciudad. Participaron 436 pacientes de 35-75 años, sin enfermedad cardiovascular, con hiperfibrinogenemia (fibrinógeno > 300 mg/dl) y colesterol plasmático < 250 mg/dl, de los cuales 218 recibieron una intervención intensiva, en frecuencia e intensidad, del consejo sobre cambios de estilo de vida y tratamiento. El seguimiento del grupo de intervención fue cada 2 meses. Otros 218 pacientes siguieron los cuidados habituales de las ABS. Se valoraron los parámetros siguientes: fibrinógeno, colesterol plasmático y otros de bioquímica clínica. Resultados. La evaluación de las características basales de los pacientes mostró que ambos grupos son homogéneos. La obesidad y la hipertensión fueron los factores de riesgo más prevalentes. A los 24 meses del estudio, se encontraron modificaciones estadísticamente significativas, entre las medias ajustadas de los 2 grupos para los parámetros siguientes: fibrinógeno, colesterol plasmático, presiones arteriales sistólica y diastólica e índice de masa corporal. Conclusión. La intervención intensiva, para lograr cambios de estilo de vida, se ha mostrado eficaz en la reducción de algunos factores de RCV. El efecto de la intervención intensiva en los valores plasmáticos del fibrinógeno no guarda correlación con las variaciones del colesterol (AU)

Objectives. To study the possible effects of an intensive lifestyle change program on the plasma fibrinogen levels in patients with no cardiovascular disease, with a high fibrinogen and normal cholesterol levels, and moderate cardiovascular risk (CVR). To analyse whether or not the effect on fibrinogen is independent of the effect on lipids. Methods. Controlled, randomised clinical trial in 13 basic health areas (BHA) in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona) and Barcelona city. Of the 436 patients between 35 and 75 years with no cardiovascular disease, with a high plasma fibrinogen (> 300 mg/dl) and a plasma cholesterol < 250 mg/dl, 218 received a more frequent and intensive intervention, of advice on lifestyle changes and treatment. The follow up frequency of the intervention group was every 2 months. The other 218 patients continued with their usual care in the BHAs. Fibrinogen, plasma cholesterol and other clinical biochemistry parameters were assessed. Results. The evaluation of the baseline characteristics of the patients showed that both groups were homogenous. Obesity and hypertension were the most prevalent risk factors. At 24 months of the study, statistically changes were found between the adjusted means of the twos groups, for the following parameters: fibrinogen, plasma cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and body mass index. Conclusion. Intensive intervention to achieve lifestyle changes has shown to be effective in reducing some cardiovascular risk factors. The effect of intensive intervention on plasma fibrinogen levels did not correlate with the variations in cholesterol (AU)