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Zoccali C, Mallamaci F, Tripepi G, Fu EL, Stel VS, Dekker FW, Jager KJ. The long-term benefits of early intensive therapy in chronic diseases-the legacy effect. Clin Kidney J 2023; 16:1917-1924. [PMID: 37915902 PMCID: PMC10616475 DOI: 10.1093/ckj/sfad186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The 'legacy effect' refers to the long-term benefits of intensive therapy that are observed long after the end of clinical trials and trial interventions in chronic diseases such as diabetes, hyperlipidaemia and hypertension. It emphasizes the importance of intensive treatment to prevent long-term complications and mortality. In chronic kidney disease (CKD), the legacy effect is evident in various studies. Long-term nephroprotection in diabetes is well documented in major studies in the early stages of diabetes, such as Diabetes Control and Complications Trial-Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT-EDIC), UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) and Intensified Multifactorial Intervention in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Microalbuminuria (STENO-2). These studies highlight the importance of intensive glycaemic control in reducing microvascular complications, including nephropathy, in patients with recently diagnosed type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, the legacy effect is less evident in patients with long-term, established diabetes. In chronic glomerulonephritis, studies on immunoglobulin A nephropathy showed that early immunosuppressive treatment could have long-term beneficial effects on kidney function in children and adults with CKD. The Frequent Hemodialysis (FH) and the EXerCise Introduction To Enhance Performance in Dialysis (EXCITE) trials indicated that frequent haemodialysis and a personalized walking exercise program could improve clinical outcomes and reduce the long-term risk of death and hospitalization. The legacy effect concept underscores the importance of intensive intervention in chronic diseases, including CKD. This concept has significant implications for public health and warrants in-depth basic and clinical research to be better understood and exploited in clinical practice. However, its limitations should be considered when interpreting long-term observational data collected after a clinical trial. Appropriate study designs are necessary to investigate an unbiased legacy effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmine Zoccali
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- BIOGEM, Ariano Irpino, Italy
- IPNET, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Francesca Mallamaci
- Nefrologia e Trapianto Renale, GOM, Reggio Calabria, Italy
- CNR-IFC, Institute of Clinical Physiology, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tripepi
- CNR-IFC, Institute of Clinical Physiology, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Edouard L Fu
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Vianda S Stel
- ERA Registry, Amsterdam UMC location the University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Informatics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Quality of Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Friedo W Dekker
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Kitty J Jager
- ERA Registry, Amsterdam UMC location the University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Informatics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Quality of Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Zhu L, Bell KJL, Hayen A. Methods to address selection bias in post-trial studies of legacy effects were evaluated. J Clin Epidemiol 2023; 160:110-116. [PMID: 37295734 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2023.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Post-trial follow-up studies have become increasingly important to investigate the long-term effectiveness of interventions after randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Legacy effects refer to intervention effects that are only observed after the trial has ended and are not the direct effects observed during the trial period. However, limited attention has been given to the potential selection bias in post-trial studies. METHODS Using directed acyclic graphs, we illustrated potential sources of selection bias in post-trial studies of cardiovascular disease preventative interventions. We constructed scenarios where selection bias was present and undertook simulations to assess the ability of different modeling approaches to correct for this bias: no adjustment, adjustment for trial baseline covariates, adjustment for post-trial covariates and inverse probability weighting (IPW) methods. Using empirical data from the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial and post-trial study, we demonstrated application of different modeling approaches. RESULTS In the presence of selection bias, modeling without adjustment always resulted in biased estimates. Modeling with adjustment and IPW methods were able to correct the selection bias. The ACCORD study also demonstrated that while the direct effects were potentially beneficial, all models attempting to address selection bias revealed larger potential legacy effects when compared to unadjusted estimates. CONCLUSION Post-trial follow-up studies have the potential to provide valuable information for clinical practice by detecting legacy effects. However, it is important to consider and address selection bias that may arise from the post-trial study. This study highlights the importance of using an appropriate analysis method and identifying the potential bias sources to ensure that the findings are reliable and generalizable to the target population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhu
- Faculty of Health, School of Public Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia; School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Katy J L Bell
- School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew Hayen
- Faculty of Health, School of Public Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
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Hartmann-Boyce J, Theodoulou A, Oke JL, Butler AR, Bastounis A, Dunnigan A, Byadya R, Cobiac LJ, Scarborough P, Hobbs FR, Sniehotta FF, Jebb SA, Aveyard P. Long-Term Effect of Weight Regain Following Behavioral Weight Management Programs on Cardiometabolic Disease Incidence and Risk: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2023; 16:e009348. [PMID: 36974678 PMCID: PMC10106109 DOI: 10.1161/circoutcomes.122.009348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Behavioral weight management programs (BWMPs) enhance weight loss in the short term, but longer term cardiometabolic effects are uncertain as weight is commonly regained. We assessed the impact of weight regain after BWMPs on cardiovascular risk factors, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. METHODS Trial registries, 11 databases, and forward-citation searching (latest search, December 19) were used to identify articles published in English, from any geographical region. Randomized trials of BWMPs in adults with overweight/obesity reporting cardiometabolic outcomes at ≥12 months at and after program end were included. Differences between more intensive interventions and comparator groups were synthesized using mixed-effects, meta-regression, and time-to-event models to assess the impact of weight regain on cardiovascular disease incidence and risk. RESULTS One hundred twenty-four trials reporting on ≥1 cardiometabolic outcomes with a median follow-up of 28 (range, 11-360) months after program end were included. Median baseline participant body mass index was 33 kg/m2; median age was 51 years. Eight and 15 study arms (7889 and 4202 participants, respectively) examined the incidence of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, respectively, with imprecise evidence of a lower incidence for at least 5 years. Weight regain in BWMPs relative to comparators reduced these differences. One and 5 years after program end, total cholesterol/HDL (high-density lipoprotein) ratio was 1.5 points lower at both times (82 studies; 19 003 participants), systolic blood pressure was 1.5 mm mercury and 0.4 mm lower (84 studies; 30 836 participants), and HbA1c (%) 0.38 lower at both times (94 studies; 28 083 participants). Of the included studies, 22% were judged at high risk of bias; removing these did not meaningfully change results. CONCLUSIONS Despite weight regain, BWMPs reduce cardiometabolic risk factors with effects lasting at least 5 years after program end and dwindling with weight regain. Evidence that they reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease or diabetes is less certain. Few studies followed participants for ≥5 years. REGISTRATION URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/; Unique identifier: CRD42018105744.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Hartmann-Boyce
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences (J.H.-B., A.T., A.R.B., A.B., R.B., F.D.R.H., S.A.J., P.A.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Annika Theodoulou
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences (J.H.-B., A.T., A.R.B., A.B., R.B., F.D.R.H., S.A.J., P.A.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jason L. Oke
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom (J.L.O.)
| | - Ailsa R. Butler
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences (J.H.-B., A.T., A.R.B., A.B., R.B., F.D.R.H., S.A.J., P.A.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anastasios Bastounis
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences (J.H.-B., A.T., A.R.B., A.B., R.B., F.D.R.H., S.A.J., P.A.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (A.B.)
| | - Anna Dunnigan
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom (A.D.)
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom (A.D.)
| | - Rimu Byadya
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences (J.H.-B., A.T., A.R.B., A.B., R.B., F.D.R.H., S.A.J., P.A.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- United Nations World Food Programme, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, India (R.B.)
| | - Linda J. Cobiac
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, Centre on Population Approaches for Non-Communicable Disease Prevention (L.J.C.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Scarborough
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (P.S.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - F.D. Richard Hobbs
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences (J.H.-B., A.T., A.R.B., A.B., R.B., F.D.R.H., S.A.J., P.A.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Falko F. Sniehotta
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, United Kingdom (F.F.S.)
| | - Susan A. Jebb
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences (J.H.-B., A.T., A.R.B., A.B., R.B., F.D.R.H., S.A.J., P.A.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Aveyard
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences (J.H.-B., A.T., A.R.B., A.B., R.B., F.D.R.H., S.A.J., P.A.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
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Pothen L, Balligand JL. Legacy in Cardiovascular Risk Factors Control: From Theory to Future Therapeutic Strategies? Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10111849. [PMID: 34829720 PMCID: PMC8614708 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10111849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In medicine, a legacy effect is defined as the sustained beneficial effect of a given treatment on disease outcomes, even after cessation of the intervention. Initially described in optimized control of diabetes, it was also observed in clinical trials exploring intensification strategies for other cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension or hypercholesterolemia. Mechanisms of legacy were particularly deciphered in diabetes, leading to the concept of metabolic memory. In a more discreet manner, other memory phenomena were also described in preclinical studies that demonstrated long-lasting deleterious effects of lipids or angiotensin II on vascular wall components. Interestingly, epigenetic changes and reactive oxygen species (ROS) appear to be common features of “memory” of the vascular wall.
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Hartmann-Boyce J, Theodoulou A, Oke JL, Butler AR, Scarborough P, Bastounis A, Dunnigan A, Byadya R, Hobbs FDR, Sniehotta FF, Jebb SA, Aveyard P. Association between characteristics of behavioural weight loss programmes and weight change after programme end: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2021; 374:n1840. [PMID: 34404631 PMCID: PMC8369384 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.n1840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine if the characteristics of behavioural weight loss programmes influence the rate of change in weight after the end of the programme. DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES Trial registries, 11 electronic databases, and forward citation searching (from database inception; latest search December 2019). Randomised trials of behavioural weight loss programmes in adults with overweight or obesity, reporting outcomes at ≥12 months, including at the end of the programme and after the end of the programme. REVIEW METHODS Studies were screened by two independent reviewers with discrepancies resolved by discussion. 5% of the studies identified in the searches met the inclusion criteria. One reviewer extracted the data and a second reviewer checked the data. Risk of bias was assessed with Cochrane's risk of bias tool (version 1). The rate of change in weight was calculated (kg/month; converted to kg/year for interpretability) after the end of the programme in the intervention versus control groups by a mixed model with a random intercept. Associations between the rate of change in weight and prespecified variables were tested. RESULTS Data were analysed from 249 trials (n=59 081) with a mean length of follow-up of two years (longest 30 years). 56% of studies (n=140) had an unclear risk of bias, 21% (n=52) a low risk, and 23% (n=57) a high risk of bias. Regain in weight was faster in the intervention versus the no intervention control groups (0.12-0.32 kg/year) but the difference between groups was maintained for at least five years. Each kilogram of weight lost at the end of the programme was associated with faster regain in weight at a rate of 0.13-0.19 kg/year. Financial incentives for weight loss were associated with faster regain in weight at a rate of 1-1.5 kg/year. Compared with programmes with no meal replacements, interventions involving partial meal replacements were associated with faster regain in weight but not after adjustment for weight loss during the programme. Access to the programme outside of the study was associated with slower regain in weight. Programmes where the intensity of the interaction reduced gradually were also associated with slower regain in weight in the multivariable analysis, although the point estimate suggested that the association was small. Other characteristics did not explain the heterogeneity in regain in weight. CONCLUSION Faster regain in weight after weight loss was associated with greater initial weight loss, but greater initial weight loss was still associated with reduced weight for at least five years after the end of the programme, after which data were limited. Continued availability of the programme to participants outside of the study predicted a slower regain in weight, and provision of financial incentives predicted faster regain in weight; no other clear associations were found. STUDY REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42018105744.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Hartmann-Boyce
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Annika Theodoulou
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jason L Oke
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Ailsa R Butler
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter Scarborough
- Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Big Data Institute, Oxford, UK
| | - Anastasios Bastounis
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Anna Dunnigan
- Royal Free Hospital, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Rimu Byadya
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- United Nations World Food Programme, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
| | - F D Richard Hobbs
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Falko F Sniehotta
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Faculty of Behavioural, Management, and Social Sciences, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Susan A Jebb
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul Aveyard
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Zhu L, Bell KJL, Nayak A, Hayen A. A methods review of posttrial follow-up studies of cardiovascular prevention finds potential biases in estimating legacy effects. J Clin Epidemiol 2020; 131:51-58. [PMID: 33227445 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2020.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective of the study was to assess the methods used, and potential for bias, in posttrial studies of cardiovascular disease (CVD) where legacy effects may be estimated. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING We undertook a methods review of posttrial studies after randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions to prevent CVD. For each included article, we extracted information on important aspects of the design and analysis of the study, and on the reporting of legacy effects. RESULTS Of 2,622 retrieved articles, 46 were included in the review: 13 on blood glucose control, 13 on blood pressure control, and 20 on blood lipid control. The median duration for the RCT and posttrial follow-up studies was 5.0 and 5.7 years, respectively. At least 80% of initial RCT participants were enrolled in the posttrial study in 32 of the reports. Most reports used both linkage to routine administrative data sources and active data collection for the posttrial study. Of the 46 included articles, the authors assessed and reported posttrial covariate balance in 29 and made statistical adjustments in the analysis for potential confounding in 25. Posttrial results were reported separately to overall results (from time of randomization) in 21 articles. Legacy effects were claimed in 19 reports, of which 16 could be justified on the basis of the posttrial results. CONCLUSION Posttrial studies may provide valuable information for investigating legacy effects, but better reporting of results is needed to realize their full potential. Robust methods of data collection and analysis may address the risk of selection and confounding biases in posttrial studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhu
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Katy J L Bell
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Agnish Nayak
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew Hayen
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Viñas Esmel E, Naval Álvarez J, Sacanella Meseguer E. The Legacy Effect in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease. Nutrients 2020; 12:E3227. [PMID: 33105611 PMCID: PMC7690390 DOI: 10.3390/nu12113227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The "legacy effect" describes the long-term benefits that may persist for many years after the end of an intervention period, involving different biological processes. The legacy effect in cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention has been evaluated by a limited number of studies, mostly based on pharmacological interventions, while few manuscripts on dietary interventions have been published. Most of these studies are focused on intensive treatment regimens, whose main goal is to achieve tight control of one or more cardiovascular risk factors. This review aims to summarise the legacy effect-related results obtained in those studies and to determine the existence of this effect in CVD prevention. There is sufficient data to suggest the existence of a legacy effect after intensive intervention on cardiovascular risk factors; however, this effect is not equivalent for all risk factors and could be influenced by patient characteristics, disease duration, and the type of intervention performed. Currently, available evidence suggests that the legacy effect is greater in subjects with moderately-high cardiovascular risk but without CVD, especially in those patients with recent-onset diabetes. However, preventive treatment for CVD should not be discontinued in high-risk subjects, as the level of existing evidence on the legacy effect is low to moderate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Viñas Esmel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Clínic, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.V.E.); (J.N.Á.)
| | - José Naval Álvarez
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Clínic, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.V.E.); (J.N.Á.)
| | - Emilio Sacanella Meseguer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Clínic, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.V.E.); (J.N.Á.)
- Ciber Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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