PHAST [CAG Pilot]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Peripheral arterial disease, High blood pressure and Aneurysm Screening Trial (PHAST) - a cluster randomised trial of screening men for peripheral arterial disease, high blood pressure and abdominal aortic aneurysm vs screening men for abdominal aortic aneurysm
IRAS ID
298458
Contact name
Matthew Bown
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
People with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) (furred up blood vessels in the legs) and high blood pressure (BP) are at high risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular problems. 30% to 40% of people over the age of 65 have PAD and/or high BP. At least two-thirds of these people don’t know that they have these conditions.
Men are invited for an ultrasound scan when they are 65 to check them for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Attendance for AAA screening is good, with 8 out of 10 men attending. The AAA programme represents a good opportunity to identify and treat men with PAD and/or high BP at minimal extra effort. We know from speaking to men who have been for AAA screening that they think it is a good idea to check for other conditions at the same time.
This application focuses on Work Package 3 (WP3), a cluster crossover trial of of combined PAD, high BP and AAA screening vs AAA screening alone in the NHS AAA screening programmes. Over 2 screening years, AAA screening units will deliver 1 year of PAD+BP+AAA screening and 1 year of AAA screening in randomised order. Data from the trial will be used for economic modelling together from WP2, PHAST-F (IRAS ID 299928).
The overall aim of this trial is to provide evidence for the UK National Screening Committee to make a recommendation for or against screening men for PAD and high BP at the same time as screening for AAA. Our hypothesis is that screening men for PAD, high BP and AAA will improve health, is acceptable and is cost effective.
Every year, PAD and BP screening could help 50,000 men reduce their risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease, thereby improving the health of the public and reducing NHS costs.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/EM/0153
Date of REC Opinion
3 Aug 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion