What is the effectiveness of systematic population-level screening programmes for reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases? / Torben Jørgensen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Jørgensen, Torben, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cardiovascular system--Diseases--Prevention.

Cardiovascular system.

Cardiovascular system--Aging.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Copenhagen : WHO Regional Office for Europe, Health Evidence Network, 2024.

Summary:

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the main cause of death in the WHO European Region. This review of systematic screening programmes for CVD risk factors and preclinical CVD across general populations is a second edition of a report published in 2021. It includes an updated literature search and a more comprehensive investigation of country-level specific screening programmes. This updated review includes final results from two studies which were ongoing in 2021. It also identified 10 new studies, but none of these met the inclusion criteria. It shows that screening for CVD risk factors does not lower CVD morbidity and mortality or health-care expenses. Screening for preclinical CVD slightly reduces mortality and negative outcomes related to abdominal aortic aneurysm; however, the results may be outdated owing to a decline in smoking and improved treatment. Screening for atrial fibrillation or screening for a mixture of risk factors and preclinical CVD has a marginal effect on morbidity and mortality. Serious adverse effects are observed, probably due to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Most studies were conducted in western European countries. Future research could investigate possible benefits of screening in countries that have not yet been studied. Few countries have national screening programmes for CVD risk factors and preclinical CVD.

Contents:

ABBREVIATIONS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

SCREENING TERMINOLOGY

SUMMARY

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background

1.2. Methodology

2. RESULTS

2.1. Study characteristics

2.2. Population-level screening for CVD risk and CVD risk factors

2.3. Population-level screening for preclinical CVD

2.4. Countries implementing systematic screening programmes for CVD risk and preclinical CVD

3. DISCUSSION

3.1. Strengths and limitations of this review

3.2. Contextual factors in the WHO European Region related to screening programmes for CVD risk and CVD risk factors

3.3. Contextual factors in the WHO European Region related to screening programmes for preclinical CVD

3.4. Future research

3.5. Policy considerations

4. CONCLUSIONS

ANNEX 1. SEARCH STRATEGY

ANNEX 2. STUDIES EXCLUDED AFTER FULL-TEXT REVIEW

ANNEX 3. RISK OF BIAS IN THE INCLUDED STUDIES

ANNEX 4. DATA EXTRACTION

ANNEX 5. DETAILED RESULTS OF THE META-ANALYSES

REFERENCES.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.