Researchers have evaluated the impact of population-level cardiovascular disease (CVD) screening on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using a difference-in-difference (DID) study design. The study included 33,769 males residing in South Denmark aged between 60 to 74 years of age who were randomized to CVD screening or no screening between 2014 and 2019. Repeated HRQoL measurements were obtained for up to three years using EuroQol scales. The impact of five CVD screening-generated events was evaluated, including being invited for CVD screening, receiving test results, initiation of preventive treatment, enrollment in surveillance schemes to assess surgical repair requirements, and preventive surgical repair. The risk-benefit ratio of CVD screening must be determined and any potential harm must be identified and measured.
Quoting a recent study published in the European Heart Journal Open, population-level cardiovascular disease (CVD) screening has a positive impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The study evaluated the effects of various screening-related events, including receiving an invitation for screening, positive test results, prophylactic treatment initiation, enrollment in surveillance schemes at surgical departments, and preventive surgical repair on HRQoL.
The study utilized a difference-in-difference (DID) study design that included event date, event status, smoking status, and HRQoL data from two large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The study included 33,769 males residing in South Denmark between 60 to 74 years of age who were randomized to CVD screening or no screening between 2014 and 2019.
HRQoL measurements were obtained using EuroQol scales such as the EuroQol 5-dimension profile index (EQ-5D-5L) to assess anxiety/depression and the EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQVAS) to evaluate To cease health. The mean values for changes in scores in the events following CVD screening were calculated.
The study evaluated the impact of five CVD screening-generated events, including being invited for CVD screening, receiving test results, the initiation of preventive treatment, enrollment in surveillance schemes to assess surgical repair requirements, and preventive surgical repair. The study found that these events had a positive impact on HRQoL and did not result in significant emotional distress.
The study’s findings are particularly important from an ethical and policy-making standpoint as decisions by health authorities are increasingly based on quality-adjusted life years (QALY). Unbiased estimates of the potential harm of CVD screening are necessary to determine the risk-benefit ratio of CVD screening and identify any potential harm.
The study’s authors note that s of harm from CVD screening include physical discomfort from screening, subsequent therapy, and psychological discomfort from risk awareness and enrollment in surveillance programs. However, the study found that the benefits of CVD screening outweighed any potential harm.
The study’s findings support the use of population-level CVD screening as a means of improving the prevention of CVD. The study’s authors note that further research is needed to evaluate the long-term impact of CVD screening on HRQoL and to identify any potential harm. However, the study’s findings provide important evidence for improving the prevention of CVD and promoting better health outcomes for patients.
