Kinnear FJ, Lithander FE, Searle A, Bayly G, Wei C, Stensel DJ, Thackray AE, Hunt L, Shield JPH. Reducing cardiovascular disease risk among families with familial hypercholesterolaemia by improving diet and physical activity: a randomised controlled feasibility trial.
BMJ Open 2020;
10:e044200. [PMID:
33372081 PMCID:
PMC7772289 DOI:
10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044200]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) elevates low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and increases cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study aimed to provide evidence for the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of an intervention designed to improve diet and physical activity in families with FH.
DESIGN
A parallel, randomised, waitlist-controlled, feasibility pilot trial.
SETTING
Three outpatient lipid clinics in the UK.
PARTICIPANTS
Families that comprised children (aged 10-18 years) and their parent with genetically diagnosed FH.
INTERVENTION
Families were randomised to either 12-week usual care or intervention. The behavioural change intervention aimed to improve dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviours. It was delivered to families by dietitians initially via a single face-to-face session and then by four telephone or email follow-up sessions.
OUTCOME MEASURES
Feasibility was assessed via measures related to recruitment, retention and intervention fidelity. Postintervention qualitative interviews were conducted to explore intervention acceptability. Behavioural (dietary intake, physical activity and sedentary time) and clinical (blood pressure, body composition and blood lipids) outcomes were collected at baseline and endpoint assessments to evaluate the intervention's potential benefit.
RESULTS
Twenty-one families (38% of those approached) were recruited which comprised 22 children and 17 adults with FH, and 97% of families completed the study. The intervention was implemented with high fidelity and the qualitative data revealed it was well accepted. Between-group differences at the endpoint assessment were indicative of the intervention's potential for improving diet in children and adults. Evidence for potential benefits on physical activity and sedentary behaviours was less apparent. However, the intervention was associated with improvements in several CVD risk factors including LDL-C, with a within-group mean decrease of 8% (children) and 10% (adults).
CONCLUSIONS
The study's recruitment, retention, acceptability and potential efficacy support the development of a definitive trial, subject to identified refinements.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
ISRCTN24880714.
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