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Margaret Thorogood

Publications and source records attributed to Margaret Thorogood.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Why are health care interventions delivered over the internet? A systematic review of the published literature.

BACKGROUND: As Internet use grows, health interventions are increasingly being delivered online. Pioneering researchers are using the networking potential of the Internet, and several of them have evaluated these interventions. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to review the reasons why health interventions have been delivered on the Internet and to reflect on the work of the pioneers in this field in order to inform future research. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative systematic review of peer-reviewed evaluations of health interventions delivered to a known client/patient group using networked features of the Internet. Papers were reviewed for the reasons given for using the Internet, and these reasons were categorized. RESULTS: We included studies evaluating 28 interventions plus 9 interventions that were evaluated in pilot studies. The interventions were aimed at a range of health conditions. Reasons for Internet delivery included low cost and resource implications due to the nature of the technology; reducing cost and increasing convenience for users; reduction of health service costs; overcoming isolation of users; the need for timely information; stigma reduction; and increased user and supplier control of the intervention. A small number of studies gave the existence of Internet interventions as the only reason for undertaking an evaluation of this mode of delivery. CONCLUSIONS: One must remain alert for the unintended effects of Internet delivery of health interventions due to the potential for reinforcing the problems that the intervention was designed to help. Internet delivery overcomes isolation of time, mobility, and geography, but it may not be a substitute for face-to-face contact. Future evaluations need to incorporate the evaluation of cost, not only to the health service but also to users and their social networks. When researchers report the outcomes of Internet-delivered health care interventions, it is important that they clearly state why they chose to use the Internet, preferably backing up their decision with theoretical models and exploratory work. Evaluation of the effectiveness of a health care intervention delivered by the Internet needs to include comparison with more traditional modes of delivery to answer the following question: What are the added benefits or disadvantages of Internet use that are particular to this mode of delivery?

Delivery of Health Care↗
PubMed2006

Protocol for the 'e-Nudge trial': a randomised controlled trial of electronic feedback to reduce the cardiovascular risk of individuals in general practice [ISRCTN64828380].

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (including coronary heart disease and stroke) is a major cause of death and disability in the United Kingdom, and is to a large extent preventable, by lifestyle modification and drug therapy. The recent standardisation of electronic codes for cardiovascular risk variables through the United Kingdom's new General Practice contract provides an opportunity for the application of risk algorithms to identify high risk individuals. This randomised controlled trial will test the benefits of an automated system of alert messages and practice searches to identify those at highest risk of cardiovascular disease in primary care databases. DESIGN: Patients over 50 years old in practice databases will be randomised to the intervention group that will receive the alert messages and searches, and a control group who will continue to receive usual care. In addition to those at high estimated risk, potentially high risk patients will be identified who have insufficient data to allow a risk estimate to be made. Further groups identified will be those with possible undiagnosed diabetes, based either on elevated past recorded blood glucose measurements, or an absence of recent blood glucose measurement in those with established cardiovascular disease. OUTCOME MEASURES: The intervention will be applied for two years, and outcome data will be collected for a further year. The primary outcome measure will be the annual rate of cardiovascular events in the intervention and control arms of the study. Secondary measures include the proportion of patients at high estimated cardiovascular risk, the proportion of patients with missing data for a risk estimate, and the proportion with undefined diabetes status at the end of the trial.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Distribution of a subclinical marker of cardiovascular risk, the ankle brachial index, in a rural African population: SASPI study.

BACKGROUND: In sub-Saharan Africa, hypertension and stroke are emerging as an important cause of death and disability, whereas coronary heart disease appears still to be uncommon. The aim of our study was to measure for the first time in an African population the ankle brachial index (ABI), which is known to be a good marker of subclinical atheroma and of the risk of future cardiovascular events. METHODS: The study was part of the Southern African Stroke Prevention Initiative (SASPI). It comprised a cross-sectional survey conducted in rural north-east South Africa in the sub-district of Agincourt, in which the demography of the population has been closely monitored. A stratified sample of 10 villages were selected and within these a random sample was chosen of 526 men and women aged 35 years and older. Subjects were visited on up to three occasions to be interviewed and have a clinical examination by specially trained nurses. This included an assessment of cardiovascular risk factors and measurement of the ABI (ratio of ankle : brachial systolic pressure) using a Doppler ultrasound machine. RESULTS: The sample comprised 322 subjects in whom the mean ABI (lower of either leg) was 1.05 in both men and women. The distribution of ABI was negatively skewed and a low ABI of 0.9 or less, indicative of significant atheroma and higher cardiovascular risk, increased with age from 3.9% in 40-49 year olds to 39.7% in those aged 70 years and older. Lower ABI was related to current cigarette smoking (P=0.02) and higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P<0.01, P=0.02, respectively) but not total cholesterol levels, which were relatively low in this population (mean 4.47 mmol/l). CONCLUSION: The distribution of the ABI in this rural African population was very similar to that reported in western populations, and suggests that this population has subclinical peripheral atheroma and is at an increased risk of future cardiovascular events, thus providing further evidence of an epidemiological transition towards cardiovascular disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Use of applied theatre in health research dissemination and data validation: a pilot study from South Africa.

This article reports on a pilot study of the use of applied theatre in the dissemination of health research findings and validation of data. The study took place in South Africa, as part of the Southern Africa Stroke Prevention Initiative (SASPI) and was based at the University/Medical Research Council Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (also known as the Agincourt Unit). The aim of SASPI was to investigate the prevalence of stroke and understand the social context of stroke. It was decided to use an applied theatre approach for validating the data and disseminating findings from the anthropological component of the study. The pilot study found that applied theatre worked better in smaller community groups. It allowed data validation and it elicited ideas for future interventions resulting from the health research findings. Evaluation methods of the impact of applied theatre as a vehicle for the dissemination and communication of research findings require further development.

Diffusion of Innovation↗
PubMed2005

What is eHealth (5): a research agenda for eHealth through stakeholder consultation and policy context review.

BACKGROUND: In 2003, the National Health Service in England and Wales, despite its large investment in information and communication technology, had not set a national research agenda. The National Health Service has three main research and development programs: one is the Service Delivery and Organisation program, commissioned in 2003, and the others are two parallel "scoping exercises" to help set a research agenda. This paper reports on one of those projects. A parallel literature review was carried out by others and has been reported elsewhere. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to explore the concerns of stakeholders and to review relevant policy in order to produce recommendations and a conceptual map of eHealth research. METHODS: There were two parallel strands. For the stakeholder consultation, 37 professionals representing 12 "stakeholder" groups participated in focus groups or interviews. Discussion was prompted by eHealth "scenarios" and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Subsequently, 17 lay participants, in three focus groups, discussed and prioritized these themes. For the policy review, 26 policy makers were interviewed, and 95 policy documents were reviewed. Recommendations were subsequently reviewed in a conference workshop. Recommendations for research from both strands were combined into a conceptual map. RESULTS: Themes from stakeholder consultation and policy review were combined as 43 recommendations under six headings. Four of these headings (using, processing, sharing, and controlling information) describe the scope of eHealth research. The other two relate to how research should be carried out (ensuring best practice is first identified and disseminated) and to the values considered important by stakeholders (in particular, measuring improvement in health). CONCLUSIONS: The scope of eHealth research (using, processing, sharing, controlling information) derived empirically from this study corresponds with "textbook" descriptions of informatics. Stakeholders would like eHealth research to include outcomes such as improved health or quality of life, but such research may be long term while changes in information technology are rapid. Longer-term research questions need to be concerned with human behavior and our use of information, rather than particular technologies. In some cases, "modelling" longer-term costs and benefits (in terms of health) may be desirable.

Delivery of Health Care↗
PubMed2004

Cost-effectiveness analysis of the genetic screening program for familial hypercholesterolemia in The Netherlands.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is associated with pronounced atherosclerosis leading to premature cardiovascular disease and untimely death. Despite the availability of effective preventative drug treatments, many affected individuals remain undiagnosed and untreated until they become symptomatic with cardiovascular disease. To assess the cost-effectiveness of systematic genetic screening of family members of persons diagnosed with FH, an analysis was conducted using data from a nationwide screening program for the identification of individuals with FH, instituted in The Netherlands in 1994, and from other sources. There was DNA testing of families with a known genetic defect to identify new cases of FH in the presymptomatic stage of the disease. After identification, most newly identified patients were started on cholesterol-lowering statin treatment. On average, new cases diagnosed by the screening program gained 3.3 years of life each. Twenty-six myocardial infarctions would be avoided for every 100 persons treated with statins between the ages of 18 and 60 years. The average total lifetime incremental costs, over all age ranges and both sexes, including costs for screening and testing, lifetime drug treatment, and treatment of cardiovascular events, was US dollars 7500 per new case identified. Cost per life-year gained was US dollars 8700. Therefore, systematic genetic screening of family members of persons diagnosed with FH is cost-effective in The Netherlands and should be considered for other settings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Can a simple measure of vigorous physical activity predict future mortality? Results from the OXCHECK study.

BACKGROUND: As epidemiological studies have become more complex, demands for short, easily administered measures of risk factors have increased. This study investigates whether such a measure of physical activity is associated with the risk of death from all causes and death from specific causes. METHODS: A prospective follow-up study of 11,090 men and women, aged 35-64 years, recruited from five UK general practices who responded to a postal questionnaire in 1989. Self-reported frequency of vigorous-intensity physical activity and data on confounding factors were collected at baseline survey. Death notifications up to 31 December 2001 were provided by the Office for National Statistics. The relative risk (and 95% confidence interval) of dying associated with each level of exposure to physical activity was estimated by the hazard ratio in a series of Cox regression models. RESULTS: After >10 years' follow-up there were 825 deaths among the 10 522 subjects with no previous history of angina or myocardial infarction. Participation in vigorous exercise was associated with a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality. Similar associations were found for ischaemic heart disease and cancer mortality, although the relationships were not significant at the 5% level. CONCLUSIONS: Simple measures of self-reported vigorous physical activity are associated with the risk of future mortality, at least all-cause mortality in a somewhat selected group. Interpretation of the finding should be treated with caution due to the reliance on self-report and the possibility that residual confounding may underlie the associations. Because moderate-intensity physical activity is also beneficial to health, short physical activity questionnaires should include measures of such physical activity in the future.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Environmental perceptions and walking in English adults.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine the relation between adults' perceptions of the social and physical environment and their self reported walking behaviour. DESIGN: Cross sectional survey. SETTING: England. PARTICIPANTS: A national sample of 4265 adults aged 16-74 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self reported walking behaviour was categorised into two dichotomous variables: (a) any reported walking in past four weeks, (b) reported walking > or =150 minutes per week in the past four weeks. Perceptions of the social environment covered safety of walking alone and social support for walking. Perceptions of the physical environment covered attractiveness of local area for walking, access to shops, leisure centres, parks, cycle paths, and traffic density. MAIN RESULTS: In women, perceived safety of walking during the day (OR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.88), and no shop within walking distance (OR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.52 to 0.99) were associated with any reported walking occasions. Perceptions of the environment were not related to women walking > or =150 min/week. In men, having a park within walking distance was associated with walking > or =150 min/week (OR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.18 to 4.35). No other significant associations were found. CONCLUSIONS: Women seem to be more concerned about walking for utility and in safety. Men are more likely to walk > or =150 min/week if they have access to a local park but their walking is not influenced by concerns about safety. Future research should focus on the relation between objective measures rather than perceptions of the environment and physical activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

A review on the diagnosis, natural history, and treatment of familial hypercholesterolaemia.

BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) affects approximately 1 in 500 people (10 million world-wide) and the elevated serum cholesterol concentrations lead to a more than 50% risk of fatal or non-fatal coronary heart disease by age 50 years in men and at least 30% in women aged 60 years. Based on a systematic literature search, we review the natural history of FH, describe the diagnostic criteria, and consider the effectiveness of treatment. METHODS: A comprehensive review was conducted of the literature on the diagnosis of FH, the morbidity and mortality related to treated and untreated FH, and the evidence on the effectiveness of treatment of FH in adults and children. Treatment options have changed since statin treatment became available, and we have not considered pre-statin therapy studies of treatment effectiveness. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION: A clinical diagnosis of FH is widely used, but a definitive diagnosis can be made by genetic screening, although mutations are currently only detected in 30-50% of patients with a clinical diagnosis. Under-diagnosis of FH has been reported world-wide ranging from less than 1% to 44%. The relative risk of death of FH patients not treated with statins is between three and fourfold but treatment is effective, and delays or prevents the onset of coronary heart disease. Early detection and treatment is important. Aggressive LDL therapy is more effective in the regression of the carotid intima media thickness than conventional LDL therapy. Diagnosis at birth is problematic, and should be delayed until at least 2 years of age. Statins are not generally recommended for the treatment of children up to adolescence. Resins may be used but poor adherence is a problem. Technical advances in mutation detection, and the identification of other genes that cause FH, are likely to have important implications for the cost effectiveness of genetic diagnosis of FH.

Cholesterol↗
PubMed2003

Comparing costs and benefits over a 10 year period of strategies for familial hypercholesterolaemia screening.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 110,000 people in the United Kingdom are affected with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH). At least 75 per cent are undiagnosed. Treatment with statins is effective but effective primary prevention requires early diagnosis. The best strategy to achieve this is unclear. This paper compares the costs and benefits over a 10 year period of two strategies found in our previous modelling: population screening of 16-year-olds or tracing family members of affected patients. METHODS: Computer modelling of time-limited data was conducted. The number available for screening and the potential new cases in England and Wales aged 16-54 years were estimated. The costs (of screening and treatment) and benefits (deaths averted) that might be accrued over 10 years were assessed. RESULTS: Screening 16-year-olds results in 470 new diagnoses, and over 10 subsequent years averts 11.7 deaths at a cost of 6,176,648 pounds sterling, giving a cost per case identified and treated of 13,141 pounds sterling (including a 10 year drug cost of 1,584,918 pounds sterling). By contrast, screening first-degree relatives of known uases results in 13,248 new diagnoses, 560 deaths averted over 10 years, at a cost of 46,430,681 pounds sterling giving a cost per case identified and treated of 3,505 pounds sterling (including 10 year drug cost of 44,645,760 pounds sterling). The cost per death averted would be 3,187 pounds sterling. CONCLUSIONS: Although the two approaches appear similar in cost-effectiveness over a lifetime, the shorter-term (10 year) cost-effectiveness clearly favours family tracing. This represents good value for money compared with common medical interventions, and suggests that pilot FH family tracing programmes should be conducted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Addressing the inverse care law in cardiac services.

BACKGROUND: Wide variation in rates of angiography and revascularization exist that are not explained by the level of need for these services. The National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease has set out a number of standards with the aim of increasing the number of revascularizations and reducing inequalities in access to care. In this study we aimed to investigate inequity in angiography and revascularization rates between the four Primary Care Group (PCG) areas in Camden and Islington Health Authority and to put in place measures to address the problems identified. METHODS: Routinely available data were collected on all residents within Camden and Islington Health Authority undergoing angiography, angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) between 1997 and 2001. These were used to calculate intervention rates per million population for each of the three procedures within each PCG. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with a sample of clinicians to explore their views on the provision of revascularization services within the Health Authority. RESULTS: Angiography and revascularization rates varied widely between the four PCGs. In 2001 there was a two-fold difference for angiography and CABG and a 3.5-fold difference for PTCA. The variations were not explained by a measure of the level of need for these services. The highest rates were in the area with the lowest standardized mortality ratio for coronary heart disease. The interviews identified a number of possible explanations for the variations that related to differences in clinical behaviour atthe consultant level and barriers in access to interventional cardiology and cardiac services. Following this research, a further interventional cardiologist appointment is planned, joint protocols of care are being established and barriers to access are being addressed. CONCLUSIONS: The new strategic health authorities should make it a priority to assess inequity in the provision of services within their areas, investigate the possible causes and support the primary care trusts to implement plans to address them.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed2003

Distant past exercise in women: measures may be reliable, but are they valid?

INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Methods to measure lifetime physical activity have been described together with evidence suggesting that they are reliable. We present study findings that challenge the validity of such measures. METHODS: One hundred twenty-seven women aged 50-70 interviewed (31 cases, 96 controls) during a pilot case-control study about risk factors for osteoarthritis of the knee. Interviews used a life course approach with visual cues. Information obtained on past physical activity: (i) Total METs for a large range of activities within each decade between age 10 and age 50, (ii) 10-point rating scales representing level of physical activity during each decade between age 10 and age 50, and (iii) lifetime hours' participation in competitive sports. RESULTS: Any statistical correspondence between METs and activity rating scales was best in relation to women's activity when in their teens (Spearman rank correlation r = 0.40). The highest correlation thereafter related to the most recent decade (r = 0.25), which was low, but there was little or no linear association between MET values and the activity ratings when women were in their 20s or 30s. Around one fifth (20.4%) of women who reported no competitive sports participation during their teens and 18.5% who reported none during their 20s also reported total METs corresponding to the top quartile of physical activity during those periods of their lives. CONCLUSION: Retrospective reports from women of distant past activity levels will likely yield different information depending on the form of questioning. It is unclear which method, if any, is accurate and unbiased. The validity of each method is therefore also questionable.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2002

Cost effectiveness analysis of different approaches of screening for familial hypercholesterolaemia.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the cost effectiveness of strategies to screen for and treat familial hypercholesterolaemia. DESIGN: Cost effectiveness analysis. A care pathway for each patient was delineated and the associated probabilities, benefits, and costs were calculated. PARTICIPANTS: Simulated population aged 16-54 years in England and Wales. INTERVENTIONS: Identification and treatment of patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia by universal screening, opportunistic screening in primary care, screening of people admitted to hospital with premature myocardial infarction, or tracing family members of affected patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Cost effectiveness calculated as cost per life year gained (extension of life expectancy resulting from intervention) including estimated costs of screening and treatment. RESULTS: Tracing of family members was the most cost effective strategy (3097 pounds sterling (euros 5066, $4479) per life year gained) as 2.6 individuals need to be screened to identify one case at a cost of 133 pounds sterling per case detected. If the genetic mutation was known within the family then the cost per life year gained (4914 pounds sterling ) was only slightly increased by genetic confirmation of the diagnosis. Universal population screening was least cost effective (13 029 pounds sterling per life year gained) as 1365 individuals need to be screened at a cost of 9754 pounds sterling per case detected. For each strategy it was more cost effective to screen younger people and women. Targeted strategies were more expensive per person screened, but the cost per case detected was lower. Population screening of 16 year olds only was as cost effective as family tracing (2777 pounds sterling with a clinical confirmation). CONCLUSIONS: Screening family members of people with familial hypercholesterolaemia is the most cost effective option for detecting cases across the whole population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Mortality in British vegetarians.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the mortality of British vegetarians and non-vegetarians. DESIGN: Analysis of original data from two prospective studies each including a large proportion of vegetarians--the Oxford Vegetarian Study and the Health Food Shoppers Study. Standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) compared with the population of England and Wales were calculated from deaths before age 90 for vegetarians and non-vegetarians in each study. Death rate ratios (DRRs) for vegetarians compared with non-vegetarians within each study were calculated for each of 14 major causes of death. SETTING: UK. SUBJECTS: Twenty-one thousand men and women aged 16-89 years at recruitment, including more than 8,000 vegetarians. RESULTS: SMRs for all causes of death were significantly below the reference level of 100 in both studies: 52 (95% confidence interval (CI) 49-56) based on 1,131 deaths in the Oxford Vegetarian Study and 59 (57-61) based on 2,346 deaths in the Health Food Shoppers Study. For all causes of death, the DRR for vegetarians compared with non-vegetarians was close to one in both studies: 1.01 (95% CI 0.89-1.14) in the Oxford Vegetarian Study, 1.03 (0.95-1.13) in the Health Food Shoppers Study. CONCLUSIONS: British vegetarians have low mortality compared with the general population. Their death rates are similar to those of comparable non-vegetarians, suggesting that much of this benefit may be attributed to non-dietary lifestyle factors such as a low prevalence of smoking and a generally high socio-economic status, or to aspects of the diet other than the avoidance of meat and fish.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Cost-effectiveness of a community anti-smoking campaign targeted at a high risk group in London.

Surveys of Turkish speaking people in London found 74% of men and 45% of women were smokers, and knowledge of the health effects of smoking was low. Camden and Islington Health Authority has a substantial Turkish community. We report an economic evaluation of a community smoking cessation intervention, aimed at the Turkish community, undertaken by Camden and Islington Health Promotion Agency. The intervention aimed to highlight the dangers of smoking, and to reduce the amount smoked and the number of current smokers. It included a play, a poster and media campaign, and purpose-designed leaflets. A panel survey of the Turkish population determined smoking habits, attitudes to smoking and knowledge about the health effects at baseline and 12 months. The intervention effect was estimated from the changes between baseline and final surveys. To allow for the non-response to the second survey we analysed effectiveness in two ways: first by assuming that the responders represented the true situation, and secondly by making a more pessimistic assumption that there was no change in the non-responders. Fifty-seven per cent of the Turkish population were smokers at baseline, compared with 39% in the general population of Camden and Islington. Levels were particularly high in younger women. At follow-up there was a net reduction in smokers of 6.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0-13.6%] in responders. When all study subjects were included the net reduction was 2.9% (CI 0-6.3%). Most quitters were light smokers to start with. At follow-up, 51% of respondents recognized at least one of the Turkish language interventions. The estimated cost-effectiveness of this intervention was 105 pound (range 33-391 pound) per life year gained. Campaigns targeted at groups with high smoking prevalence may be more cost-effective than general population campaigns.

Adolescent↗