Adherence to Prescribed Drugs Among 65-74 Year Old Men Diagnosed with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm or Peripheral Arterial Disease in a Screening Trial: A VIVA Substudy

Modulating the Expression of Exercise-induced lncRNAs: Implications for Cardiovascular Disease Progression

Recent research shows exercise is good for heart health, emphasizing the importance of physical activity. Sedentary behavior increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, while exercise can help prevent and treat it. Additionally, physical exercise can modulate the expression of lncRNAs, influencing cardiovascular disease progression. Therefore, understanding this relationship could help identify prospective biomarkers and therapeutic targets pertaining to cardiovascular ailments. This review has underscored recent advancements concerning the potential biomarkers of lncRNAs in cardiovascular diseases, while also summarizing existing knowledge regarding dysregulated lncRNAs and their plausible molecular mechanisms. Additionally, we have contributed novel perspectives on the underlying mechanisms of lncRNAs, which hold promise as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cardiovascular conditions. The knowledge imparted in this review may prove valuable in guiding the design of future investigations and furthering the understanding of lncRNAs as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases.

Adherence and Persistence to Antiplatelet Therapy in Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Danish Population Based Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

Adherence to antiplatelet therapy is recommended but unexplored in patients with symptomatic lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Therefore, this study aimed to determine adherence and persistence to antiplatelet therapy in patients with PAD, defined as intermittent claudication and chronic limb threatening ischaemia.

DESIGN

Population based nationwide cohort study.

METHODS

This study included all Danish citizens aged ≥ 40 years with a first inpatient or outpatient diagnosis of symptomatic PAD between 2010 - 2017, and who had at least one prescription claim for aspirin and/or clopidogrel within 90 days after diagnosis. Adherence was determined by the proportion of days covered (PDC) during the first year after diagnosis. Persistence was defined as no treatment gap ≥ 30 days between prescription renewals over three year follow up.

RESULTS

A total of 39 687 patients were eligible for inclusion, of whom 23 279 (58.7%) claimed a prescription for aspirin and/or clopidogrel within 90 days of diagnosis. Among these, 12 898 (55.4%) were prevalent users, while the remainder comprised new users who initiated the therapy after the index PAD diagnosis. The mean PDC was 74.5% (SD 35.0%) for prevalent users and 60.5% (SD 30.5%) for new users. Adherence increased with age and number of concomitant drugs. The overall one year cumulative incidence treatment discontinuation was 13.0% (95% CI 12.5 - 13.4%) overall, 17.2% (CI 16.6 - 17.9%) for prevalent users, and 7.9% (CI 7.4 - 8.4%) for new users. At three year follow up, the cumulative incidence of discontinuation was 31.5% (CI 30.9 - 32.2%) overall, 44.6% (CI 43.7 - 45.4%) for prevalent users, and 14.6% (CI 13.9 - 15.3) for new users.

CONCLUSION

Less than 60% of patients with newly diagnosed symptomatic PAD claimed a prescription for antiplatelet therapy within 90 days of diagnosis, and both adherence and persistence were moderate during the first year after diagnosis. These findings underscore the importance of efforts to improve the initiation and continuation of antiplatelet therapy in patients with PAD.

Editor's Choice -- European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2024 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Abdominal Aorto-Iliac Artery Aneurysms

OBJECTIVE

The European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) has developed clinical practice guidelines for the care of patients with aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries in succession to the 2011 and 2019 versions, with the aim of assisting physicians and patients in selecting the best management strategy.

METHODS

The guideline is based on scientific evidence completed with expert opinion on the matter. By summarising and evaluating the best available evidence, recommendations for the evaluation and treatment of patients have been formulated. The recommendations are graded according to a modified European Society of Cardiology grading system, where the strength (class) of each recommendation is graded from I to III and the letters A to C mark the level of evidence.

RESULTS

A total of 160 recommendations have been issued on the following topics: Service standards, including surgical volume and training; Epidemiology, diagnosis, and screening; Management of patients with small abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), including surveillance, cardiovascular risk reduction, and indication for repair; Elective AAA repair, including operative risk assessment, open and endovascular repair, and early complications; Ruptured and symptomatic AAA, including peri-operative management, such as permissive hypotension and use of aortic occlusion balloon, open and endovascular repair, and early complications, such as abdominal compartment syndrome and colonic ischaemia; Long term outcome and follow up after AAA repair, including graft infection, endoleaks and follow up routines; Management of complex AAA, including open and endovascular repair; Management of iliac artery aneurysm, including indication for repair and open and endovascular repair; and Miscellaneous aortic problems, including mycotic, inflammatory, and saccular aortic aneurysm. In addition, Shared decision making is being addressed, with supporting information for patients, and Unresolved issues are discussed.

CONCLUSION

The ESVS Clinical Practice Guidelines provide the most comprehensive, up to date, and unbiased advice to clinicians and patients on the management of abdominal aorto-iliac artery aneurysms.

Danish men's experiences of cardiovascular screening and their views on preventive cardiovascular medication: A qualitative explorative nurse study

OBJECTIVES

This study explored Danish men's experience of participating in a screening program for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and their perceptions of preventive medication for CVD before and after participation in the screening program.

METHODS

An exploratory phenomenological-hermeneutical study. Fifteen men from a cardiovascular screening program for men aged 65-74 years participated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted before screening and one year later (2015-2017). The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Kvale and Brinkmann's approach to data analysis.

RESULTS

Two main themes were identified: (i) seeking confirmation and control of health: familiarity with CVD; understanding the screening program; confirmation of health; perception of preventive medication, and (ii) sense of own health and prevention: experiences with the screening program; accept or denial of diagnosis and preventive medication.

CONCLUSION

A minority of the men understood the nature of the diseases for which they were being examined. The invitation for screening and the outcome of the examinations must be communicated more skilfully. The health providers need to engage early in treatment after the screening and provide an individualised plan that addresses patients concerns and knowledge based on their needs.

2022 ACC/AHA guideline for the diagnosis and management of aortic disease: A report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The "2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the diagnosis, genetic evaluation and family screening, medical therapy, endovascular and surgical treatment, and long-term surveillance of patients with aortic disease across its multiple clinical presentation subsets (ie, asymptomatic, stable symptomatic, and acute aortic syndromes).

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from January 2021 to April 2021, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINHL Complete, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through June 2022 during the guideline writing process, were also considered by the writing committee, where appropriate.

STRUCTURE

Recommendations from previously published AHA/ACC guidelines on thoracic aortic disease, peripheral artery disease, and bicuspid aortic valve disease have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing comprehensive care for patients with aortic disease have been developed. There is added emphasis on the role of shared decision making, especially in the management of patients with aortic disease both before and during pregnancy. The is also an increased emphasis on the importance of institutional interventional volume and multidisciplinary aortic team expertise in the care of patients with aortic disease.

Relevance of the Viborg Population Based Screening Programme (VISP) for Cardiovascular Conditions Among 67 Year Olds: Attendance Rate, Prevalence, and Proportion of Initiated Cardiovascular Medicines Stratified By Sex

OBJECTIVE

To report sex specific overall attendance rate, prevalence of screen detected cardiovascular conditions, proportion of unknown conditions before screening, and proportion initiating prophylactic medicine among 67 year olds in Denmark.

DESIGN

Cross sectional cohort study.

METHODS

Since 2014, all 67 year olds in Viborg, Denmark, have been invited to screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), peripheral arterial disease (PAD), carotid plaque (CP), hypertension, cardiac disease, and type 2 diabetes. Individuals with AAA, PAD, and or CP are recommended cardiovascular prophylaxis. Combining data with registries has facilitated estimation of unknown screen detected conditions. Up to August 2019, 5 505 had been invited; registry data were available for the first 4 826 who were invited.

RESULTS

The attendance rate was 83.7%, without sex difference. Screen detected prevalence was significantly lower among women than men: AAA, 5 (0.3%) vs. 38 (1.9%) (p < .001); PAD, 90 (4.5%) vs. 134 (6.6%) (p = .011); CP, 641 (31.8%) vs. 907 (44.8%) (p < .001); arrhythmia, 26 (1.4%) vs. 77 (4.2%) (p < .001); blood pressure ≥ 160/100 mmHg, 277 (13.8%) vs. 346 (17.1%) (p = .004); and HbA1c ≥ 48 mmol/mol, 155 (7.7%) vs. 198 (9.8%) (p = .019), respectively. Pre-screening proportions of unknown conditions were particularly high for AAA (95.4%) and PAD (87.5%). AAA, PAD, and or CP were found in 1 623 (40.2%), of whom 470 (29.0%) received pre-screening antiplatelets and 743 (45.8%) lipid lowering therapy. Furthermore, 413 (25.5%) started antiplatelet therapy and 347 (21.4%) started lipid lowering therapy. Only smoking was significantly associated with all vascular conditions in multivariable analysis: odds ratios (ORs) for current smoking were AAA 8.11 (95% CI 2.27 - 28.97), PAD 5.60 (95% CI 3.61 - 8.67) and CP 3.64 (95% CI 2.95 - 4.47).

CONCLUSION

The attendance rate signals public acceptability for attending cardiovascular screening. Men had more screen detected conditions than women, but prophylactic medicine was started equally frequently in both sexes. Sex specific cost effectiveness follow up is warranted.

2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease: A Report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The "2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the diagnosis, genetic evaluation and family screening, medical therapy, endovascular and surgical treatment, and long-term surveillance of patients with aortic disease across its multiple clinical presentation subsets (ie, asymptomatic, stable symptomatic, and acute aortic syndromes).

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from January 2021 to April 2021, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINHL Complete, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through June 2022 during the guideline writing process, were also considered by the writing committee, where appropriate. Structure: Recommendations from previously published AHA/ACC guidelines on thoracic aortic disease, peripheral artery disease, and bicuspid aortic valve disease have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing comprehensive care for patients with aortic disease have been developed. There is added emphasis on the role of shared decision making, especially in the management of patients with aortic disease both before and during pregnancy. The is also an increased emphasis on the importance of institutional interventional volume and multidisciplinary aortic team expertise in the care of patients with aortic disease.

2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease: A Report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The "2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the diagnosis, genetic evaluation and family screening, medical therapy, endovascular and surgical treatment, and long-term surveillance of patients with aortic disease across its multiple clinical presentation subsets (ie, asymptomatic, stable symptomatic, and acute aortic syndromes).

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from January 2021 to April 2021, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINHL Complete, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through June 2022 during the guideline writing process, were also considered by the writing committee, where appropriate.

STRUCTURE

Recommendations from previously published AHA/ACC guidelines on thoracic aortic disease, peripheral artery disease, and bicuspid aortic valve disease have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing comprehensive care for patients with aortic disease have been developed. There is added emphasis on the role of shared decision making, especially in the management of patients with aortic disease both before and during pregnancy. The is also an increased emphasis on the importance of institutional interventional volume and multidisciplinary aortic team expertise in the care of patients with aortic disease.

Effects of a person-centred, nurse-led follow-up programme on adherence to prescribed medication among patients surgically treated for intermittent claudication: randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Management of intermittent claudication should include secondary prevention to reduce the risk of cardiocerebrovascular disease. Patient adherence to secondary prevention is a challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a person-centred, nurse-led follow-up programme could improve adherence to medication compared with standard care.

METHODS

A non-blinded RCT was conducted at two vascular surgery centres in Sweden. Patients with intermittent claudication and scheduled for revascularization were randomized to the intervention or control (standard care) follow-up programme. The primary outcome, adherence to prescribed secondary preventive medication, was based on registry data on dispensed medication and self-reported intake of medication. Secondary outcomes were risk factors for cardiocerebrovascular disease according to the Framingham risk score.

RESULTS

Some 214 patients were randomized and analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. The mean proportion of days covered (PDC) at 1 year for lipid-modifying agents was 79 per cent in the intervention and 82 per cent in the control group, whereas it was 92 versus 91 per cent for antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant agents. The groups did not differ in mean PDC (lipid-modifying P = 0.464; antiplatelets and/or anticoagulants P = 0.700) or in change in adherence over time. Self-reported adherence to prescribed medication was higher than registry-based adherence regardless of allocation or medication group (minimum P < 0.001, maximum P = 0.034). There was no difference in median Framingham risk score at 1 year between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Compared with the standard follow-up programme, a person-centred, nurse-led follow-up programme did not improve adherence to secondary preventive medication. Adherence was overestimated when self-reported compared with registry-reported.

Adherence to Antiplatelet Medications among Persistent and Non-Persistent Older Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

Secondary prevention of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) includes administration of antiplatelet agents, and adherence to medication is a requirement for an effective treatment. The aim of this study was to analyse adherence measured using the proportion of days covered (PDC) index separately in persistent and non-persistent patients, and to identify patient- and medication-related characteristics associated with non-adherence in these patient groups. The study cohort of 9178 patients aged ≥ 65 years in whom PAD was diagnosed in 1/–12/2012 included 6146 persistent and 3032 non-persistent patients. Non-adherence was identified as PDC < 80%. Characteristics associated with non-adherence were determined using the binary logistic regression model. In the group of persistent patients, 15.3% of subjects were identified as non-adherent, while among non-persistent patients, 26.9% of subjects were non-adherent to antiplatelet medication. Administration of dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel) and a general practitioner as index prescriber were associated with adherence in both patient groups. Our study revealed a relatively high proportion of adherent patients not only in the group of persistent patients but also in the group of non-persistent patients before discontinuation. These results indicate that most non-persistent PAD patients discontinue antiplatelet treatment rapidly after a certain period of adherence.

Reinitiation and Subsequent Discontinuation of Antiplatelet Treatment in Nonpersistent Older Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

The successful treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) depends on adequate adherence to medications including antiplatelet agents. The aims of this study were (a) to identify the proportion of nonpersistent patients who reinitiated antiplatelet therapy and how many of them discontinued therapy after reinitiation, and (b) to identify patient- and medication-related characteristics associated with the likelihood of reinitiation and discontinuation among reinitiators. The analysis of reinitiation was conducted on 3032 nonpersistent users of antiplatelet agents aged ≥65 years, with PAD newly diagnosed in 2012. Discontinuation (i.e., a treatment gap of ≥6 months without antiplatelet medication prescription) was analysed in 2006 reinitiating patients. To identify factors associated with the likelihood of reinitiation and discontinuation, Cox regression with time-dependent covariates was used. Reinitiation was recorded in 2006 (66.2%) of 3032 patients who had discontinued antiplatelet medication. Among these 2006 reinitiators, 1078 (53.7%) patients discontinued antiplatelet therapy again. Ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction during nonpersistence and bronchial asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were associated with an increased likelihood of reinitiation. University education was associated with discontinuation among reinitiators. Factors associated with the probability of reinitiation and discontinuation in reinitiators make it possible to identify older PAD patients in whom "stop-starting" behaviour may be expected.

Evidence-based medical treatment of peripheral arterial disease: A rapid review

ABSTRACT Introduction: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) treatment guidelines recommend the use of statins and antiplatelets in all PAD patients to reduce adverse cardiovascular and limb-related outcomes. In addition, hypertension and diabetes should be treated to reach recommended targets. The aim of this rapid review was to evaluate the level of adherence to evidence-based medical therapy (EBMT) recommended by PAD treatment guidelines in the real-world setting. Methods: We searched PubMed and Embase using keywords, MeSH and Emtree terms related to the population, exposure and outcomes from their inception to 22 September 2020. We included randomised controlled trials, non-randomised studies, and observational studies reporting adherence to at least 1 of these 4 drug classes: (1) statins, (2) antiplatelets, (3) antihypertensives and (4) antidiabetic drugs. Non-English articles, abstracts, dissertations, animal studies and case reports or series were excluded. A narrative summary of the results was performed. Results: A total of 42 articles were included in the review. The adherence to lipid-lowering drugs/statins ranged from 23.5 to 92.0% and antiplatelets from 27.5 to 96.3%. Only 7 and 5 studies reported use of “any anti-hypertensive” and “any anti-diabetic” medications, respectively, and the proportion of the cohort treated were generally close to the proportion with hypertension and/or diabetes. Adherence in studies published in 2016–2020 ranged from 52.4–89.6% for lipid-lowering drugs and 66.2–96.3% for antiplatelets. Conclusion: EBMT adherence in PAD patients was highly variable and a substantial proportion in many settings were undertreated. There was also a notable lack of studies in Asian populations. Keywords: Evidence-practice gap, medication adherence, pharmacoepidemiology

Non-Persistence With Antiplatelet Medications Among Older Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease

Introduction: Antiplatelet therapy needs to be administered life-long in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Our study was aimed at 1) the analysis of non-persistence with antiplatelet medication in older PAD patients and 2) identification of patient- and medication-related characteristics associated with non-persistence. Methods: The study data was retrieved from the database of the General Health Insurance Company. The study cohort of 9,178 patients aged ≥ 65 years and treated with antiplatelet medications was selected from 21,433 patients in whom PAD was newly diagnosed between 01/2012 and 12/2012. Patients with a 6 months treatment gap without antiplatelet medication prescription were classified as non-persistent. Characteristics associated with non-persistence were identified using the Cox regression. Results: At the end of the 5 years follow-up, 3,032 (33.0%) patients were non-persistent. Age, history of ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction, clopidogrel or combination of aspirin with clopidogrel used at the index date, higher co-payment, general practitioner as index prescriber and higher overall number of medications were associated with persistence, whereas female sex, atrial fibrillation, anxiety disorders, bronchial asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, being a new antiplatelet medication user (therapy initiated in association with PAD diagnosis), and use of anticoagulants or antiarrhythmic agents were associated with non-persistence. Conclusion: In patients with an increased probability of non-persistence, an increased attention should be paid to improvement of persistence.

Factors Associated With Medication Adherence in Vascular Surgery Patients

INTRODUCTION

Patients with vascular disease have higher mortality rates than age-matched peers and medical management of coexisting diseases may alter these outcomes. We sought to understand factors associated with medication nonadherence in vascular surgery patients at a single University vascular surgery clinic over a 3-month period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Consecutive vascular surgery patients were surveyed from June to August 2019. The survey included demographic questions, the validated Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, the 4-item Patient Health Questionnaire for Anxiety and Depression scales, and other medication-related questions. Medical and surgical histories were retrospectively collected from charts. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare among high, intermediate, and low adherence.

RESULTS

A total of 128 (74%) of 174 patients met study inclusion criteria. On univariate analysis, lower medication adherence was associated with younger age (P = .004), anxiety and depression (P = .001), higher daily pain (P < .001), and patients who believed their medications were less important for treating their vascular disease (P < .001). Adherence was not associated with symptomatic vascular disease, gender, education level, marital status, employment, insurance, or the use of medication usage reminders. Multivariate analysis significantly predicted high adherence relative to low adherence with 5-year increase in age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.252, P = .021) and low adherence relative to high adherence with greater perceived pain (OR = 0.839, P = .016).

CONCLUSIONS

Younger age and high level of pain were associated with lower medication adherence. Informing patients of the importance of prescribed medication and addressing anxiety or depression symptoms may improve adherence.

Pharmacological Preventive Potential Among Attenders at Vascular Screening: Findings from the VIVA Trial

OBJECTIVE

Findings from the Viborg Vascular (VIVA) trial show a mortality benefit of multi-faceted vascular screening which was mainly ascribed to the initiation of prophylactic medication. However, the pharmacological preventive potential, which exists when individuals have a positive screening test result and do not already use statins and anti-platelet agents, has not been analysed. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with a pharmacological preventive potential of statins and anti-platelet agents among attenders vascular screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used data from the VIVA trial screening arm including 25 074 men aged 64-75 years recruited between October 2008 and January 2011. Explanatory variables comprised socio-demographic- and socio-economic characteristics, comorbidities, medication use, and travel distance derived from nationwide registries. Outcomes included a positive screening test result, a pharmacological preventive potential, and attendance. Associations between the explanatory variables and the outcomes were investigated using the chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

The factors most likely to be associated with a pharmacological preventive potential for positive AAA screening comprised age >70 years (odds ratio (OR) 1.23, 95% confidence interval 1.00-1.51), existing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.38-3.57), and use of anti-hypertensives (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.09-1.71). For positive PAD screening age >70 years (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.25-1.60), living alone (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.14-1.56), low income, COPD (OR 2.13, 95% CI 159-283), use of anti-hypertensives (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.00-1.29) or anti-diabetics (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.01-1.28), and short travel distance were associated with a pharmacological preventive potential. For combined vascular screening, age >70 years, living alone, low income, COPD, and use of anti-hypertensives were associated with a pharmacological preventive potential. Among these subgroups, lower attendance was associated with age >70 years, living alone, low income, COPD, and use of anti-diabetics.

CONCLUSION

Future vascular screening programmes might benefit from tailoring information to subgroups who are more likely to benefit from screening but less likely to accept an offer.

Do Non-participants at Screening have a Different Threshold for an Acceptable Benefit-Harm Ratio than Participants? Results of a Discrete Choice Experiment

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to investigate non-participants' preferences for cardiovascular disease screening programme characteristics and whether non-participation can be rationally explained by differences in preferences, decision-making styles and informational needs between non-participants and participants.

METHODS

We conducted a discrete choice experiment at three screening sites between June and December 2017 among 371 male non-participants and 830 male participants who were asked to trade different levels of five key programme characteristics (chance of health benefit, risk of overtreatment, risk of later regret, screening duration and screening location). Data were analysed using a multinomial mixed-logit model. Health benefit was used as a payment vehicle for estimation of marginal substitution rates.

RESULTS

Non-participants were willing to accept that 0.127 (95% confidence interval 0.103-0.154) fewer lives would be saved to avoid overtreatment of one individual, whilst participants were willing to accept 0.085 (95% confidence interval 0.077-0.094) fewer lives saved. This translates into non-participants valuing health benefits 7.9 times higher than overtreatment. The corresponding value of participants is 11.8. Similarly, non-participants had higher requirements than participants for advanced technology and a quicker screening duration. With regard to their participation decision, 64% of the non-participants felt certain about their choice compared with 89% among participants.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that non-participants have different preferences than participants at screening as they express relatively more concern about overtreatment and have higher requirements for a high-tech screening programme. Non-participants also report to be more uncertain about their participation decision and more often seek additional information to the standard information provided in the invitation letter. Further studies on informational needs and effective communication strategies are warranted to ensure that non-participation is a fully informed choice.