Should identical CVD risks in young and old patients be managed identically? results from two models

Liew, S.M. and Jackson, R. and Mant, D. and Glasziou, P. (2012) Should identical CVD risks in young and old patients be managed identically? results from two models. BMJ Open, 2 (2). ISSN 2044-6055, DOI 22382122.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether delaying risk reduction treatment has a different impact on potential life years lost in younger compared with older patients at the same baseline short-term cardiovascular risk. DESIGN: Modelling based on population data. METHODS: Potential years of life lost from a 5-year treatment delay were estimated for patients of different ages but with the same cardiovascular risk (either 5% or 10% 5-year risk). Two models were used: an age-based residual life expectancy model and a Markov simulation model. Age-specific case fatality rates and time preferences were applied to both models, and competing mortality risks were incorporated into the Markov model. RESULTS: Younger patients had more potential life years to lose if untreated, but the maximum difference between 35 and 85 years was <1 year, when models were unadjusted for time preferences or competing risk. When these adjusters were included, the maximum difference fell to about 1 month, although the direction was reversed with older people having more to lose. CONCLUSIONS: Surprisingly, age at onset of treatment has little impact on the likely benefits of interventions that reduce cardiovascular risk because of the opposing effects of life expectancy, case fatality, time preferences and competing risks. These findings challenge the appropriateness of recommendations to use lower risk-based treatment thresholds in younger patients.

Item Type:	Article
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Additional Information:	Department of Primary Care Medicine and Julius Center UM, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
Subjects:	R Medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine
Depositing User:	Mr. Faizal Hamzah
Date Deposited:	19 Mar 2012 00:59
Last Modified:	26 Sep 2019 03:03
URI:	http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/2919

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