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170 active trials for Cardiovascular Risk Factor

Home Air Filtration for Traffic-Related Air Pollution

This study is a blinded randomized crossover efficacy trial (N=172 households consisting of 207 participants) of High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration in near-highway homes that lack mechanical air-handling systems. Households will be randomized to 30 days of either filtration or sham filtration followed by a 30 washout period with a subsequent 30-day period of the alternative assignment. Room air filters that are commercially available will be placed in the bedroom and living room of each home. The investigators will measure UFP and PM2.5 concentrations in 20% of the homes during filtration and sham periods and assess personal exposure in a subset of participants. The investigators will also assess chemical composition of particulate air pollution in 10 homes/year for exploratory purposes that could lead to future lines of research. The primary health endpoints will be participants' hsCRP and peripheral blood pressure, measures that the investigators have used in multiple observational studies of UFP as well as in pilot filtration intervention studies. Secondary biological measures that contribute to understanding biological pathways will be IL-6 (inflammation), D-dimer (coagulation), metabolome, central pressure and arterial stiffness. The primary intention to treat analysis will compare outcomes between HEPA filtration to sham filtration. The investigators will have 80% power to detect a difference of 0.6 mg/L in change in hsCRP and a difference in reduction in systolic blood pressure of 3.5 mmHg compared to participants who receive no filtration. Having participants serve as their own controls in the within-subject comparisons of intervention effectiveness increases statistical power and eliminates the possibility of baseline imbalances in demographic and clinical characteristics. A social science evaluation will inform final adjustments to the investigators' approach at the start and also assess participant acceptance and experience with the intervention at the end. The investigators' primary innovation is that this will be the first near highway HEPA intervention trial that is large enough and careful enough to be policy-relevant.

Start: November 2020
The Emirates Heart Health Project: A Family-based Diet and Exercise Intervention in Obese and Overweight Patients

The latest available data from the Department of Health of Abu Dhabi show that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among both the non-national and national populations of the emirate of Abu Dhabi. This trend has not improved over time despite concerted efforts. Particularly striking is that cardiovascular disease was listed as the cause of death in over 39% of those over the age of 45. In those aged over 60 years of age, this causes more deaths than the combined effect of the second, third and fourth leading causes of death, cancer, respiratory diseases, and infectious disease, respectively. A survey of the Middle East and North Africa showed that eating an unhealthy diet was the leading risk factor for cardiovascular deaths and estimated that this pattern of eating accounted for 72% of cardiovascular deaths in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In particular, the low consumption of whole grains was responsible for 22% of these deaths in the UAE. Other risk factors included high levels of processed meat, red meat, and sugar sweetened beverages. Studies done in the UAE show that despite knowledge of healthy diet and exercise practices, barriers exist to lifestyle change. For example, a study of patients in the UAE with type 2 diabetes showed only 3% of the surveyed population of 390 patients in the UAE met numerous guidelines' recommendations for 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity or 90 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week. The reasons given by the participants in that study for not exercising included cultural reasons (29.2%), "exercise is boring" (20.3%), and lack of family support (4.1%). Despite availability and access to individual appointments with dieticians based in primary health centers, rates of obesity, overweight, and cardiovascular disease risk factors have not improved. Need for a trial: To the investigators' knowledge, no study has investigated the effect of family based lifestyle interventions led by a health coach and supported by technology such as fitness trackers and smartphone applications to track dietary intake. In the setting of the traditional culture of the nationals of the UAE (called Emiratis), family based interventions that specifically address cultural and religious beliefs and practices and accommodate family obligations may have a greater benefit than individual dietician visits. There may also be greater adherence to physical activity and health eating habits if the family commits to this lifestyle together.

Start: October 2021
Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Among Youth With Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is the most common form of diabetes among children and youth, and it is increasing around the world, particularly among children under 5 years. This is worrisome given the chronic nature of the disease and its strong association with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Evidence suggests that markers of CVD are already present in children with T1D, making prevention a clinical and public health priority in this high-risk population. Despite this, a good understanding of what factors predispose children with T1D to CVD is still lacking. Our study aims to better understand in this population what individual, familial and environmental characteristics increase the risk for heart disease, how to best measure it early on and what are the potential mechanisms underlying the heightened risk for heart disease in youth with T1D. Specifically, we aim to: compare established risk factors (dyslipidemia, hypertension) with novel early markers for CVD (cardiac phenotype, arterial stiffness, endothelial function) in adolescents with T1D and healthy controls; examine the associations between these novel early markers with: i) lifestyle habits; ii) measures of inflammation; and iii) markers of oxidative stress among adolescents with T1D and healthy controls, and determine group differences in these associations; explore, across both groups, the associations between these established and novel early markers of CVD with neighborhood features. To achieve these objectives, we will compare 100 participants aged 14-18 years with T1D to 100 healthy controls. Lifestyle habits include assessments of physical activity, sleep, sedentary behavior, fitness and dietary intake. Blood pressure and lipid profiles will be measured. Cardiac structure/function will be evaluated by non-contrast cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Aortic distensibility will be determined by pulse wave velocity. Endothelial function will be determined by flow-mediated dilation. Inflammatory markers and endogenous antioxidants will be measured in blood. Neighbourhood features include built and social environment indicators and air quality. Our study provides an exceptional opportunity to increase our knowledge on what factors predispose children with T1D to cardiovascular disease. Understanding the interplay between T1D, lifestyle habits and metabolic markers and CVD is critical to developing effective prevention strategies for these vulnerable children.

Start: January 2017