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Screening for cardiovascular disease risk using traditional risk factor assessment or coronary artery calcium scoring: the ROBINSCA trial

European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging, vol. 21, pp. 1216–1224

Abstract

AIMS: Screening for a high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk followed by preventive treatment can potentially reduce coronary heart disease-related morbidity and mortality. ROBINSCA (Risk Or Benefit IN Screening for CArdiovascular disease) is a population-based randomized controlled screening trial that investigates the effectiveness of CVD screening in asymptomatic participants using the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) model or coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring. This study describes the distributions in risk and treatment in the ROBINSCA trial. METHODS AND RESULTS: Individuals at expected elevated CVD risk were randomized into screening arm A (n = 14 478; SCORE, 10-year fatal and non-fatal risk); or screening arm B (n = 14 450; CAC scoring). Preventive treatment was largely advised according to current Dutch guidelines. Risk and treatment differences between the screening arms were analysed. A total of 12 185 participants (84.2%) in arm A and 12 950 (89.6%) in arm B were screened. In total, 48.7% were women, and median age was 62 (interquartile range 10) years. SCORE screening identified 45.1% at low risk (SCORE < 10%), 26.5% at intermediate risk (SCORE 10-20%), and 28.4% at high risk (SCORE ≥ 20%). According to CAC screening, 76.0% were at low risk (Agatston < 100), 15.1% at high risk (Agatston 100-399), and 8.9% at very high risk (Agatston ≥ 400). CAC scoring significantly reduced the number of individuals indicated for preventive treatment compared to SCORE (relative reduction women: 37.2%; men: 28.8%). CONCLUSION: We showed that compared to risk stratification based on SCORE, CAC scoring classified significantly fewer men and women at increased risk, and less preventive treatment was indicated. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NTR6471.

Authors 14

  1. Erasmus MC

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Centre, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands

  2. Sabine J A M Denissen corresponding

    Erasmus MC

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Centre, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands

  3. University Medical Center Groningen · University of Groningen

    Affiliation as printed

    Centre for Medical Imaging North-East Netherlands (CMI-NEN), University Medical Centre Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, EB45, Groningen 9713 GZ, The Netherlands

  4. Gelre Hospitals

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Gelre Hospitals, Albert Schweitzerlaan 31, 7334 DZ Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

  5. Gelre Hospitals

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology Laboratory, Gelre Hospitals, Albert Schweitzerlaan 31, 7334 DZ Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

  6. University Medical Center Groningen · Medisch Centrum Haaglanden · Bronovo Hospital · Stichting Haaglanden Medisch Centrum

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Radiology, Haaglanden Medical Centre Bronovo, Bronovolaan 5, 2597 AX Den Haag, The Netherlands

    Department of Radiology, University Medical Centre Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands

  7. University Medical Center Groningen · University of Groningen

    Affiliation as printed

    Centre for Medical Imaging North-East Netherlands (CMI-NEN), University Medical Centre Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, EB45, Groningen 9713 GZ, The Netherlands

  8. Erasmus MC

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Centre, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands

  9. University Medical Center Groningen · University of Groningen · University Medical Center Utrecht

    Affiliation as printed

    Centre for Medical Imaging North-East Netherlands (CMI-NEN), University Medical Centre Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, EB45, Groningen 9713 GZ, The Netherlands

    Department of Cardiology, University Medical Centre Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands

    Department of Cardiology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands

  10. Gelre Hospitals

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Cardiology, Gelre Hospitals, Albert Schweitzerlaan 31, 7334 DZ Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

  11. Leiden University Medical Center · Medisch Centrum Haaglanden · Bronovo Hospital · Stichting Haaglanden Medisch Centrum

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Cardiology, Haaglanden Medical Centre Bronovo, Bronovolaan 5, 2597 AX Den Haag, The Netherlands

    Department of Cardiology, Leids University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands

  12. Affiliation as printed

    General practice, Arnhemseweg 2 A, 7331 BK Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

  13. University Medical Center Groningen · University of Groningen

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute for Diagnostic Accuracy—iDNA, Prof. E.D. Wiersmastraat 5, 9713 GH Groningen, The Netherlands

    University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands

  14. Erasmus MC

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Centre, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands

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References 26