Nutrient intake and blood pressure in the Dietary Intervention Study in Children.

Delineating the role that diet plays in blood pressure levels in children is important for guiding dietary recommendations for the prevention of hypertension. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between dietary nutrients and blood pressure in children. Data were analyzed from 662 participants in the Dietary Intervention Study in Children who had elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and were aged 8 to 11 years at baseline. Three 24-hour dietary recalls, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, height, and weight were obtained at baseline, 1 year, and 3 years. Nutrients analyzed were the micronutrients calcium, magnesium, and potassium; the macronutrients protein, carbohydrates, total fat, saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and monounsaturated fat; dietary cholesterol; and total dietary fiber. Baseline and 3-year longitudinal relationships were examined through multivariate models on diastolic and systolic pressures separately, controlling for height, weight, sex, and total caloric intake. The following associations were found in longitudinal analyses: analyzing each nutrient separately, for systolic pressure, inverse associations with calcium (P < .05); magnesium, potassium, and protein (all P < .01); and fiber (P < .05), and direct associations with total fat and monounsaturated fat (both P < .05); for diastolic pressure, inverse associations with calcium (P < .01); magnesium and potassium (both P < .05), protein (P < .01); and carbohydrates and fiber (both P < .05), and direct associations with polyunsaturated fat (P < .01) and monounsaturated fat (P < .05). Analyzing all nutrients simultaneously, for systolic pressure, direct association with total fat (P < .01); for diastolic pressure, inverse associations with calcium (P < .01) and fiber (P < .05), and direct association with total and monounsaturated fats (both P < .05). Results from this sample of children with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol indicate that dietary calcium, fiber, and fat may be important determinants of blood pressure level in children.

Effect of dietary patterns on ambulatory blood pressure : results from the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Trial. DASH Collaborative Research Group.

We measured ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in 354 participants in the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Trial to determine the effect of dietary treatment on ABP (24-hour, day and night) and to assess participants' acceptance of and compliance with the ABP monitoring (ABPM) technique. After a 3-week run-in period on a control "typical" American diet, subjects (diastolic blood pressure [BP], 80 to 95 mm Hg; systolic BP, <160 mm Hg; mean age, 45 years) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 diets for an 8-week intervention period: a continuation of the control diet; a diet rich in fruits and vegetables; and a "combination" diet that emphasized fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products. We measured ABP at the end of the run-in and intervention periods. Both the fruit/vegetable and combination diets lowered 24-hour ABP significantly compared with the control diet (P<0. 0001 for systolic and diastolic pressures on both diets: control diet, -0.2/+0.1 mm Hg; fruit/vegetable diet, -3.2/-1.9 mm Hg; combination diet, -4.6/-2. 6 mm Hg). The combination diet lowered pressure during both day and night. Hypertensive subjects had a significantly greater response than normotensives to the combination diet (24-hour ABP, -10.1/-5.5 versus -2.3/-1.6 mm Hg, respectively). After correction for the control diet responses, the magnitude of BP lowering was not significantly different whether measured by ABPM or random-zero sphygmomanometry. Participant acceptance of ABPM was excellent: only 1 participant refused to wear the ABP monitor, and 7 subjects (2%) provided incomplete recordings. These results demonstrate that the DASH combination diet provides significant round-the-clock reduction in BP, especially in hypertensive participants.

Efficacy and safety of lowering dietary intake of total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol in children with elevated LDL cholesterol: the Dietary Intervention Study in Children.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have shown the efficacy and safety of lower-fat diets in children. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the efficacy and safety of lowering dietary intake of total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol to decrease LDL-cholesterol concentrations in children. DESIGN: A 6-center, randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out in 663 children aged 8-10 y with LDL-cholesterol concentrations greater than the 80th and less than the 98th percentiles for age and sex. The children were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a usual care group. Behavioral intervention promoted adherence to a diet providing 28% of energy from total fat, <8% from saturated fat,

Angiotensinogen genotype and blood pressure response in the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between angiotensinogen (ANG) genotype and blood pressure response to the dietary patterns of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) trial. The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene was also tested. DESIGN: The DASH trial was a randomized outpatient feeding study comparing the effects on blood pressure (BP) of three dietary patterns: a control diet, similar to typical American intake; a 'fruits and vegetables' diet (F/V) that is rich in fruits and vegetables but otherwise resembles the control diet; and the DASH diet that is reduced in fats and that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. Participants' genotype was also determined. SETTING: Four clinical sites. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with above-optimal BP or stage 1 hypertension. INTERVENTION: Participants ate one of the three dietary patterns for 8 weeks. Sodium intake and weight were held constant. In 355 of 459 DASH participants, DNA was extracted from leukocytes and genotyped for the G-6A ANG polymorphism and the D/I ACE polymorphism, by the polymerase chain reaction. MAIN OUTCOMES: Genotype at ANG and ACE loci; BP after 8 weeks of intervention diet. RESULTS: There was no association between ACE genotype and BP response. Associations with ANG polymorphism were significant: net systolic and diastolic BP response to the DASH diet was greatest in individuals with the AA genotype (-6.93/-3.68 mmHg) and least in those with the GG genotype (-2.80/0.20 mmHg). A similar relationship existed for the F/V diet. CONCLUSIONS: ANG genotype is associated with BP response to the DASH diet. The AA genotype confers excess risk of hypertension and is associated with increased responsiveness to diet.

Hypertension treatment trials and stroke occurrence revisited. A quantitative overview.

To provide further understanding of the decline in stroke mortality in the United States, data from 16 randomized controlled trials of hypertension treatment and stroke published to date are pooled. The overall weighted average blood pressure reduction was 13/6 mm Hg. The pooled odds ratio was 0.61 (95% confidence interval: 0.55, 0.68), indicating approximately a 39% (32 to 45%) reduction in stroke occurrence. Percent reduction was somewhat higher in studies of mild-moderate hypertension (47%) and somewhat lower in studies of the elderly (35%). There was no differential effect by gender (reductions of 37% for women, 34% for men) or by race (32% for blacks, 37% for whites). The magnitudes of reductions for fatal (41%) and nonfatal (37%) strokes, and for diuretics and beta-blockers (odds ratio diuretic versus beta-blocker, 0.86; 95% CI: 0.69, 1.08) were similar. Implications for the decline in stroke mortality in the United States are discussed.

Effects of interventions in health care settings on physical activity or cardiorespiratory fitness.

INTRODUCTION: This paper reviews studies of physical activity interventions in health care settings to determine effects on physical activity and/or fitness and characteristics of successful interventions. METHODS: Studies testing interventions to promote physical activity in health care settings for primary prevention (patients without disease) and secondary prevention (patients with cardiovascular disease [CVD]) were identified by computerized search methods and reference lists of reviews and articles. Inclusion criteria included assignment to intervention and control groups, physical activity or cardiorespiratory fitness outcome measures, and, for the secondary prevention studies, measurement 12 or more months after randomization. The number of studies with statistically significant effects was determined overall as well as for studies testing interventions with various characteristics. RESULTS: Twelve studies of primary prevention were identified, seven of which were randomized. Three of four randomized studies with short-term measurement (4 weeks to 3 months after randomization), and two of five randomized studies with long-term measurement (6 months after randomization) achieved significant effect on physical activity. Twenty-four randomized studies of CVD secondary prevention were identified; 13 achieved significant effects on activity and/or fitness at twelve or more months. Studies with measurement at two time points showed decaying effects over time, particularly if the intervention were discontinued. Successful interventions contained multiple contacts, behavioral approaches, supervised exercise, provision of equipment, and/or continuing intervention. Many studies had methodologic problems such as low follow-up rates. CONCLUSION: Interventions in health care settings can increase physical activity for both primary and secondary prevention. Long-term effects are more likely with continuing intervention and multiple intervention components such as supervised exercise, provision of equipment, and behavioral approaches. Recommendations for additional research are given.

Cholesterol-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in a low-income, urban patient population.

To determine knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and self-reported cholesterol measurement in a low-income, urban patient population, we conducted an interview survey of users and potential users of primary care services in a public health care system for low-income Harris County, Texas, residents. The response rate was 93%, with a final sample of 547 randomly selected subjects 18 years of age and older, who were Hispanic (54%), black (28%), non-Hispanic white (14%), and Asian, Native American, or other (4%). Results indicated that 76% had heard of serum or blood cholesterol, and 30% reported past cholesterol measurement. Knowledge that dietary saturated fat can raise blood cholesterol ranged from 11% in Hispanic men to 51% in non-Hispanic white men and women. A lower percentage of Hispanics correctly answered all knowledge questions, and Hispanics reported higher-fat food choices than blacks and non-Hispanic whites. More than 90% of the respondents expressed interest in more information on diet, 60% reported that they read nutrition labels, and 15% said they have been trying to reduce blood cholesterol levels. A lower percentage of Hispanics reported previous cholesterol measurement than blacks or non-Hispanic whites, a difference that persisted after adjusting for multiple factors associated with cholesterol measurement. Older age (older than 50) and more physician visits in the past year also were associated with past cholesterol measurement. Comparisons with national surveys show that cholesterol knowledge and actual measurement in this low-income sample lag behind those of the national population. Yet, despite gaps in knowledge and cholesterol measurement, respondents showed positive attitudes about and interest in cholesterol-lowering interventions.

Incorporating physical activity advice into primary care: physician-delivered advice within the activity counseling trial.

INTRODUCTION: The Activity Counseling Trial (ACT) was designed to compare the effectiveness of physician advice alone with physician advice plus behavioral counseling, provided by ACT-trained health educators, to increase levels of physical activity in healthy, sedentary patients. The objective was to determine health care providers' adherence to the ACT protocol for delivering initial "physician" advice on physical activity and to determine providers' satisfaction with the protocol. METHODS: Fifty-four physicians or physician assistants from 11 primary care practices located in California, Texas, and Tennessee volunteered to participate as ACT-trained physicians. Providers were trained to integrate 3 to 4 minutes of initial physical activity advice into the routine office visits of sedentary patients, aged 35 to 75 years, with no acute or serious chronic conditions. This advice included assessment of current physical activities, advising the patient about an appropriate physical activity goal, and referring the patient to the health educator. Providers initialed forms to document delivery of advice, and ACT health educators recorded their advice on a computerized tracking system. A provider survey measured length of time spent advising patients about physical activity and provider satisfaction with the program. RESULTS: Ninety-nine percent of patients received the initial physician advice about physical activity. Eighty-three percent of the providers spent less than 5 to 6 minutes, and 46% spent the recommended 3 to 4 minutes providing advice. Sixty-three percent said the advice resulted in little or no increase in the length of an office visit, and 83% said participation was an asset to their clinics. CONCLUSIONS: Providers incorporated brief physical activity advice into routine primary care visits with little disruption. Their response to the ACT advice protocol was positive and participation in the study was viewed as beneficial.

Overview of the Activity Counseling Trial (ACT) intervention for promoting physical activity in primary health care settings. Activity Counseling Trial Research Group.

Counseling by health care providers has the potential to increase physical activity in sedentary patients, yet few studies have tested interventions for physical activity counseling delivered in health care settings. The Activity Counseling Trial (ACT) is a 5-yr randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of two primary care, practice-based physical activity behavioral interventions relative to a standard care control condition. A total of 874 sedentary men and women, 35-75 yr of age, have been recruited from primary care physician offices at three clinical centers for 2 yr of participation. They were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions that vary, in a hierarchical fashion, by level of counseling intensity and resource requirements. The interventions, which are based on social cognitive theory and the transtheoretical model, are designed to alter empirically based psychosocial mediators that are known to be associated with physical activity. The present paper describes the theoretical background of the intervention, the intervention methods, and intervention training and quality control procedures.

Activity Counseling Trial (ACT): rationale, design, and methods. Activity Counseling Trial Research Group.

The Activity Counseling Trial (ACT) is a multicenter, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to promote physical activity in the primary health care setting. ACT has recruited, evaluated, and randomized 874 men and women 35-75 yr of age who are patients of primary care physicians. Participants were assigned to one of three educational interventions that differ in amount of interpersonal contact and resources required: standard care control, staff-assisted intervention, or staff-counseling intervention. The study is designed to provide 90% power in both men and women to detect a 1.1 kcal.kg-1.day-1 difference in total daily energy expenditure between any two treatment groups, and over 90% power to detect a 7% increase in maximal oxygen uptake, the two primary outcomes. Primary analyses will compare study groups on mean outcome measures at 24 months post-randomization, be adjusted for the baseline value of the outcome measure and for multiple comparisons, and be conducted separately for men and women. Secondary outcomes include comparisons between interventions at 24 months of factors related to cardiovascular disease (blood lipids/lipoproteins, blood pressure, body composition, plasma insulin, fibrinogen, dietary intake, smoking, heart rate variability), psychosocial effect, and cost-effectiveness, and at 6 months for primary outcome measures. ACT is the first large-scale behavioral intervention study of physical activity counseling in a clinical setting, includes a generalizable sample of adult men and women and of clinical setting, and examines long-term (24 months) effects. ACT has the potential to make substantial contributions to the understanding of how to promote physical activity in the primary health care setting.

Funding avenues for research in emergency medicine at the National Institutes of Health and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

There are opportunities for research in EM at the NIH, which may be appropriate for a variety of Institutes, depending on the topic area. Most NIH-funded research is through investigator-initiated grant applications, and the PHS 398 application packet is a source of more information. RFAs and RFPs, which have set-aside funding, are released for specific topic areas when an Institute identifies an area requiring multiple studies or multicenter research. PAs, which do not have set-aside funding, announce areas of interest for an Institute. The NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts announces RFAs, RFPs, and PAs. It is important to become expert in a field of research to be successful in achieving research funding, whether investigator- or institute-initiated.

Rapid early action for coronary treatment: rationale, design, and baseline characteristics. REACT Research Group.

OBJECTIVE: Early reperfusion for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) can reduce morbidity and mortality, yet there is often delay in accessing medical care after symptom onset. This report describes the design and baseline characteristics of the Rapid Early Action for Coronary Treatment (REACT) community trial, which is testing community intervention to reduce delay. METHODS: Twenty U.S. communities were pair-matched and randomly assigned within pairs to intervention or comparison. Four months of baseline data collection was followed by an 18-month intervention of community organization and public, patient, and health professional education. Primary cases were community residents seen in the ED with chest pain, admitted with suspected acute cardiac ischemia, and discharged with a diagnosis related to coronary heart disease. The primary outcome was delay time from symptom onset to ED arrival. Secondary outcomes included delay time in patients with MI/unstable angina, hospital case-fatality rate and length of stay, receipt of reperfusion, and ED/emergency medical services utilization. Impact on public and patient knowledge, attitudes, and intentions was measured by telephone interviews. Characteristics of communities and cases and comparability of paired communities at baseline were assessed. RESULTS: Baseline cases are 46% female, 14% minorities, and 73% aged > or =55 years, and paired communities have similar demographics characteristics. Median delay time (available for 72% of cases) is 2.3 hours and does not vary between treatment conditions (p > 0.86). CONCLUSIONS: REACT communities approximate the demographic distribution of the United States and there is baseline comparability between the intervention and comparison groups. The REACT trial will provide valuable information for community educational programs to reduce patient delay for AMI symptoms.

Impact of community intervention to reduce patient delay time on use of reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction: rapid early action for coronary treatment (REACT) trial. REACT Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a time-dependent intervention that can reduce infarct-related morbidity and mortality. Out-of-hospital patient delay from symptom onset until emergency department (ED) presentation may reduce the expected benefit of reperfusion therapy. OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of a community educational intervention to reduce patient delay time on the use of reperfusion therapy for AMI. METHODS: This was a randomized, controlled community-based trial to enhance patient recognition of AMI symptoms and encourage early ED presentation with resultant increased reperfusion therapy rates for AMI. The study took place in 44 hospitals in 20 pair-matched communities in five U.S. geographic regions. Eligible study subjects were non-institutionalized patients without chest injury (aged > or =30 years) who were admitted to participating hospitals and who received a hospital discharge diagnosis of AMI (ICD 410); n = 4,885. For outcome assessment, patients were excluded if they were without survival data (n = 402), enrolled in thrombolytic trials (n = 61), receiving reperfusion therapy >12 hours after ED arrival (n = 628), or missing symptom onset or reperfusion times (n = 781). The applied intervention was an educational program targeting community organizations and the general public, high-risk patients, and health professionals in target communities. The primary outcome was a change in the proportion of AMI patients receiving early reperfusion therapy (i.e., within one hour of ED arrival or within six hours of symptom onset). Trends in reperfusion therapy rates were determined after adjustment for patient demographics, presenting blood pressure, cardiac history, and insurance status. Four-month baseline was compared with the 18-month intervention period. RESULTS: Of 3,013 selected AMI patients, 40% received reperfusion therapy. Eighteen percent received therapy within one hour of ED arrival (46% of treated patients), and 32% within six hours of symptom onset (80% of treated patients). No significant difference in the trends in reperfusion therapy rates was attributable to the intervention, although increases in early reperfusion therapy rates were noted during the first six months of the intervention. A significant association of early reperfusion therapy use with ambulance use was identified. CONCLUSIONS: Community-wide educational efforts to enhance patient response to AMI symptoms may not translate into sustained changes in reperfusion practices. However, an increased odds for early reperfusion therapy use during the initiation of the intervention and the association of early therapy with ambulance use suggest that reperfusion therapy rates can be enhanced.

Characteristics of controlled studies of patient education and counseling for preventive health behaviors.

To determine characteristics of controlled studies (quasi-experimental and randomized) of clinical patient education/counseling for behavior change to prevent disease, we conducted an extensive literature review of published and unpublished studies from 1971 to 1989. Sixty-four studies with 101 intervention groups met specific criteria for relevance and scientific acceptability. We examine these studies in terms of prevention area, subject source, intervention characteristics, and use of educational principles. Findings reveal many controlled clinical studies in smoking cessation, nutrition, and weight control but sparcity in other areas (injury prevention, exercise, stress, drug and alcohol misuse, STD prevention); an emphasis on communication by a single clinical practitioner; and varied use of educational principles. We recommend adhering to educational principles to enhance likelihood of success.

A meta-analysis of trials evaluating patient education and counseling for three groups of preventive health behaviors.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the overall effectiveness of patient education and counseling on preventive health behaviors and to examine the effects of various approaches for modifying specific types of behaviors. DATA SOURCES: Computerized databases (Medline, Healthline, Dissertation Abstracts, and Psychological Abstracts), bibliographies 1971-1994. Search terms (patient education, patient compliance, and self care) with modifiers (evaluation and specific preventive behaviors). STUDY SELECTION: Randomized and non-randomized controlled trials measuring behavior in clinical settings with patients without diagnosed disease. Abstracts and retrieved studies screened by multiple reviewers; 13% of retrieved studies met screening criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: Replicated coding by multiple observers. DATA SYNTHESIS: Behaviors were grouped based on whether the behavior is addictive and whether the desired change required subtraction of existing behaviors or adding new behaviors. The weighted average effect size from a random effects model for smoking/alcohol studies was 0.61 (CI = 0.45, 0.77), for nutrition/weight, 0.51 (CI = 0.20, 0.82) and for other behaviors, 0.56 (CI = 0.34, 0.77) indicating that the behavioral outcomes for these subgroups were significantly different from zero. Multiple regression models for the three groups indicated that using behavioral techniques, particularly self-monitoring, and using several communication channels, e.g., media plus personal communication, produces larger effects for the smoking/alcohol and nutrition/weight groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patient education and counseling contribute to behavior change for primary prevention of disease. Some techniques are more effective than others in changing specific behaviors.

Missed opportunities to impact fast response to AMI symptoms.

The potential for reducing cardiovascular disease mortality rates lies both in prevention and treatment. The earlier treatment is administered, the greater the benefit. Thus, duration of time from onset of symptoms of acute myocardial infarction to administration of treatment is important. One major factor contributing to failure to receive efficacious therapy is the delay time from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) symptom onset to hospital arrival. This paper examines the relationship of several factors with regard to intentions to seek care promptly for symptoms of AMI. A random-digit dialed telephone survey (n = 1294) was conducted in 20 communities located in 10 states. People who said they would wait until they were very sure that symptoms were a heart attack were older, reported their insurance did not pay for ambulance services, and reported less confidence in knowing signs and symptoms in themselves. When acknowledging symptoms of a heart attack, African-Americans and people with more than a high school education reported intention to act quickly. No measures of personal health history, nor interaction with primary care physicians or cardiologists were significantly related to intention to act fast. The study confirms the importance of attribution and perceived self-confidence in symptom recognition in care seeking. The lack of significant role of health history (i.e. those with chronic conditions or risk factors) and clinician contact highlights missed opportunities for health care providers to educate and encourage patients about their risk and appropriate action.

Definition and yield of inclusion criteria for a meta-analysis of patient education studies in clinical preventive services.

Because selection of studies for a literature review influences conclusions, inclusion criteria are of utmost importance. For a meta-analysis of studies testing effects of patient education on preventive behaviors, we present the framework and concepts used for setting inclusion criteria for primary studies. We also present the yield in terms of number and distribution of studies that resulted from the inclusion criteria. Because we were interested in a diverse range of behaviors and a broad definition of patient education, we present a method for grouping behaviors by type of behavior change and describe parameters for subgrouping interventions by orientation and communication channel. Of 5,451 citations located and abstracts screened, 561 citations reporting potentially relevant studies were reviewed. Based on our inclusion criteria, 171 citations contained relevant studies, of which 64 studies (found in 62 citations) also met our acceptability criteria. We examine the effects of alternate inclusion criteria on the yield of primary studies and their distributions across the subgroupings.

Developing comprehensive smoking control programs in schools.

During the school years, students encounter peer influences and role models who encourage smoking initiation. To counteract these influences, schools can provide comprehensive programs that include smoking prevention and cessation education and a supportive nonsmoking environment. In the past several years, programs and information have become available to help schools establish curricula to address smoking and to create nonsmoking environments. In addition, state and local governments have acted to legally restrict smoking in schools or to require smoking content in curricula. Efforts can be categorized into three avenues of intervention: student education, school and school system policy, and governmental regulation. Resources are suggested for each category to assist in developing a comprehensive intervention to foster nonsmoking by children and adolescents in the school setting.

Health promotion and disease prevention. Roles for the primary care physician.

The practice of health promotion and disease prevention (HPDP), an increasingly important approach to healthcare, includes influencing health behaviors of the population at risk for disease as well as environmental conditions that affect health. The major role of the clinician in HPDP is at the individual level: screening for risk factors and disease and providing early treatment, advice, counseling, and referral. Primary care physicians can broaden their impact by assuming roles at organizational, community, and government levels (eg, as an active member of an organization or a consultant to an outside organization, a community leader or an agent of change, an influential constituent or a lobbyist). These roles enable primary care physicians to have an impact both on individuals and on environments to reduce disease risk factors.

Prescribing physical activity to prevent disease.

Despite an increase in the public's awareness of the ample health benefits of physical activity, less than 20% of US adults regularly participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity. For most adults, increasing physical activity even moderately is likely to benefit health. Physicians can prescribe physical activity and incorporate an emphasis on physical activity into clinical practice.