Impact of medical consultation frequency on modifiable risk factors and medications at 12 months after acute coronary syndrome in the CHOICE randomised controlled trial

BackgroundWe aimed to determine whether the frequency of General Practitioner and Cardiologist consultations impacted on improvements in risk factors in Choice of Health Options in Reducing Cardiovascular Events (CHOICE) randomised controlled trial.MethodsRetrospective subgroup analysis of single-blind randomised controlled trial. We included acute coronary syndrome survivors not accessing cardiac rehabilitation in the CHOICE trial whose General Practitioner or Cardiologist returned a visit frequency survey. The CHOICE group participated in tailored risk factor reduction packaged as clinic visit plus 3 months telephone support. Controls participated in physician-directed usual medical care. We compared total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, smoking status, physical activity, number of modifiable risk factors and medications with frequency of medical consultations at baseline and 12 months.ResultsMost control and CHOICE patients saw their General Practitioner ≥ 5 times (85% vs 90%) and Cardiologist at least once (65% vs 57%). CHOICE patients had a significantly better modifiable risk profile (factor levels and multiples) and more patients were on evidence-based medications at 12 months compared to controls. In CHOICE, the significant reduction in total cholesterol was unrelated to medical visits but lower systolic blood pressure was significant in patients who saw their General Practitioner ≥ 5 compared with ≤ 4 times. In controls, frequency of medical visits was not associated with any changes in risk profile.ConclusionsAcute coronary syndrome survivors receiving frequent medical follow-up without packaged secondary prevention had no improvement in multiple risk factors over 12 months. CHOICE patients who saw their doctors frequently were more likely to have significantly reduced systolic blood pressure and be on evidence-based medications.