The impact of population screening for cardiovascular disease on quality of life

Abstract

Aims To examine the impact of population screening-generated events on quality of life: invitation, positive test result, initiation of preventive medication, enrolment in follow up at surgical department, and preventive surgical repair. Methods A difference-in-difference design based on data collected alongside two randomised controlled trials where general population men were randomised to screening for cardiovascular disease or to no screening. Repeated measurements of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were conducted up to three years after inclusion using all relevant scales of the EuroQol instrument: the anxiety/depression dimension, the EQ-5D profile index (using Danish preference weights) and the visual analogue scale for global health. We compare the mean change scores from before to after events for groups experiencing versus not experiencing the events. Propensity score matching is additionally used to provide both unmatched and matched results. Results Invitees reported to be marginally better off than non-invitees on all scales of the EuroQol. For events of receiving the test result, initiating preventive medication, being enrolled in surveillance, and undergoing surgical repair, we observed no impact on overall HRQoL but a minor impact of being enrolled in surveillance on emotional distress, which did not persist after matching. Conclusion The often-claimed detrimental consequences of screening to HRQoL could not be generally confirmed. Amongst the screening events assessed, only two possible consequences were revealed: a reassurance effect after a negative screening test and a minor negative impact to emotional distress of being enrolled in surveillance that did not spill over to overall HRQoL.

Barriers and facilitators to mental health promotion for Mexican immigrants in the U.S. through the Ventanillas de Salud program

“…According to the latest evaluation of the program in 2020, the VDS provided screenings for cardiometabolic risk factors (hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and overweight) to more than 500,000 Latino immigrants in 2019 ( 13 ). While the specific impact of the VDS screening program on health outcomes has not been evaluated, screening for cardiometabolic risk factors in combination with appropriate referrals is an evidence-based intervention has been shown to increase preventive behaviors, improve quality of life, and linkage to care ( 14 ). Taken together, this evidence supports an important contribution of the VDS to the cardiometabolic health of Latino immigrants in the US.…”