the 'TOGETHER' study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Imperial and The LOndon GEneral Practice-based InvesTigation of Cardiovascular HEalth and Risk Factors among diverse populations

• IRAS ID

  226019

• Contact name

  Kausik Ray

• Contact email

  k.ray@imperial.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Imperial College London

• Duration of Study in the UK

  10 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Summary of Research

  TITLE
  Imperial and The LOndon GEneral Practice-based InvesTigation of Cardiovascular HEalth and Risk Factors among diverse populations

  DESIGN
  Cross sectional observational study and prospective cardiovascular disease ascertainment through longitudinal follow up

  AIMS
  1. To robustly quantify and characterise, across diverse ethnicities, age groups, gender and socio-economic groups the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among NHS Health Check attendees
  2. To prospectively study the incidence of CVD within this population by electronic health record linkage
  3. To validate existing CVD risk prediction algorithms across diverse groups and develop novel, bespoke algorithms for risk prediction among diverse population groups

  OUTCOME MEASURES
  1. CVD risk factors recorded during an NHS Health Check including smoking, elevated blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, obesity, family history of CVD, physical activity, diet, alcohol consumption
  2. Prescription of statins and anti-hypertensive medication
  3. Incidence of CVD events including fatal & nonfatal CHD, fatal & nonfatal stroke, heart failure, all CVD-related hospitalisations (including those for revascularisation), and all-cause mortality

  POPULATION
  NHS Health Check attendees

  ELIGIBILITY
  At the time of receiving an NHS Health Check being aged 40-74 and being free of known vascular disease diagnosis

  RECRUITMENT DATES
  Individuals who received an NHS Health Check between 2009 and 2017

  STUDY START
  May 1, 2017 - date on which all procedures specified in the protocol are commenced

  STUDY END
  May 1, 2027 - date on which all procedures specified in the protocol are concluded

  Summary of Results
  This study aimed to assess how factors that cause and contribute to cardiovascular disease present across different population groups. Among more than 500,000 individuals with data, over 80,000 were included in the final dataset for analysis. Approximately 50% of the included individuals were of an ethnic minority background. Deprived areas had a higher presence of factors that cause cardiovascular disease. There were differences in important factors such as bad cholesterol among those with an Asian and/or Black heritage. Individuals with an Asian heritage were more likely to be receiving medicines to treat the risk of cardiovascular disease.

• REC name

  East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1

• REC reference

  17/ES/0104

• Date of REC Opinion

  31 Aug 2017

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion