Randomized trial evaluating the framing of cardiovascular risk and its impact on blood pressure control [ISRCTN87597585].

ABSTRACT:

Background

The format or frame in which the results of randomized trials are presented has been shown to influence health professional's self-reported practice. We sought to investigate the effect of framing cardiovascular risk as two different formats in a randomized trial.

Methods

We recruited 457 patients aged between 60 and 79 years with high blood pressure from 20 family practices in Avon, UK. Patients were randomized to cardiovascular risk presented either as 1) an absolute risk level (AR) or as 2) the number needed to treat to prevent an adverse event (NNT). The main outcome measures were: 1) percentage of patients in each group with a five-year cardiovascular risk > or = 10%, 2) systolic and diastolic blood pressure, 3) intensity of prescribing of cardiovascular medi

SUBMITTER: Fahey T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC58836 | biostudies-literature | 2001

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature