Two Dutch guidelines (Stroke and Cardiovascular Risk Management) provide conflicting advice on optimal statin treatment in older patients. In the SAFEST - RCT, the investigators will assess the impact of starting versus not starting a statin in frail individuals aged 70 and above with a recent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) on their health-related quality of life and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) free survival during a two-year follow-up period.
Objective: To assess the impact of starting versus not starting a statin in frail individuals aged 70 and above with a recent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) on their health-related quality of life and MACE free survival during a two-year follow-up period. Study population: The patient population consists of frail older (\>=70 yrs) patients with a recent acute ischemic stroke or TIA who are admitted to the hospital or visit the outpatient clinic or emergency department for diagnostic evaluation, and who were not receiving statin treatment at the time of the acute event. Frailty is defined by a pre-event Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) score of 4-7 and/or a post-event score of 6-7. Description of intervention(s): Participants in the intervention group will start with a statin with target values following the Dutch stroke guideline. The control group will not start with a statin, aligning with the Dutch Cardiovascular Risk Management (CVRM) guideline recommendations. Outcome measures: This study has two co-primary endpoints: (1) Health-Related Quality of Life (HrQoL), using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System - Global-10 (PROMIS-10) and (2) Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) free survival, after 2 years. We will evaluate these two co-primary outcomes at multiple time points, specifically at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. For patients enrolled in the beginning of recruitment, an extended follow-up of three years will be conducted to provide additional insights into the two primary endpoints.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
612
The intervention group receives statin treatment following the current "Herseninfarct en Hersenbloeding" guideline. The intensity and target value of statin treatment are determined according to this national guideline. Which statin (atorvastatin, fluvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin) will be selected and what dose will be prescribed is left to the discretion of the treating neurologist. The statins are registered in the Netherlands and use will be according to the licenses of the products. They will be collected at the local pharmacy by the patient (following practice as usual).
Health-Related Quality of Life (HrQoL)
This will be measured using the PROMIS-10 scale scores (ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health), including global mental health and global physical health subscales. Measurements at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 (and 36) months.
Time frame: 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 (and 36) months.
Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) free survival
Classical 3-point MACE (cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke) and non-cardiovascular death. Measurements at3, 6, 12, 18, 24 (and 36) months.
Time frame: 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 (and 36) months.
Functional Outcome
This will be assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 49, with scores ranging from 0 to 6 (lower scores indicating better function).
Time frame: 1 and 2 years
Cognition MoCA
will be measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)51 or the Telephone version of the MoCA (T-MOCA)
Time frame: 1 and 2 years
Number of falls
Falls, measured using the falls calender. Participant returns the fall calender every 3 months.
Time frame: 1 and 2 years
Time to first fall
Falls, measured using the falls calender. Participant returns the fall calender every 3 months.
Time frame: 2 years
General quality of life EuroQol Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L)
General QoL measure by EuroQol Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). This will be used to calculate the cost-effectiveness analysis (CAE). Possible scores range from 0-100, the higher, the better.
Time frame: 1 and 2 years
Societal costs
Societal costs measured by The Older Persons and Informal Caregivers Survey - Minimum Data Set (TOPICS-MDS) (questions 23 - 37)
Time frame: 1 and 2 years
Cardiovascular Risk Status
method of assessing is to be decided.
Time frame: 1 and 2 years
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