Bmc Fam Pract
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Design of the INTEGRATE study: effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a cardiometabolic risk assessment and treatment program integrated in primary care.
The increasing prevalence of cardiometabolic disease (CMD) in combination with an ageing population is a major public health problem. Early detection and management of individuals at risk for CMD is required to prevent future health problems with associated costs. General practice is the optimal health care setting to accomplish this goal. Prevention programs for identification and treatment of patients with an increased risk for CMD in primary care have been proven feasible. However, the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness have yet to be demonstrated. The 'Personalized Prevention Approach for CardioMetabolic Risk' (PPA CMR) is such a prevention program. The objective of the INTEGRATE study is to investigate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of PPA CMR, as well as to establish determinants for participation and compliance. ⋯ The INTEGRATE study will provide insight into the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of PPA CMR as well as determinants for participation and compliance, which represents essential information to guide further large-scale implementation of primary prevention programs for CMD.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Usefulness of C-reactive protein testing in acute cough/respiratory tract infection: an open cluster-randomized clinical trial with C-reactive protein testing in the intervention group.
Point of care testing for C-reactive protein (CRP) has shown promise as a measure to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing in respiratory tract infections (RTI), but its use in primary care is still controversial. We aimed to evaluate the effect of CRP testing on the prescription of antibiotics, referral for radiography, and the outcome of patients in general practice with acute cough/RTI. ⋯ The study showed that CRP testing in patients with acute cough/RTI may reduce antibiotic prescribing and referral for radiography, probably without compromising recovery.