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Design and rationale of a randomized controlled trial to reduce cardiovascular disease risk for patients with bipolar

David E Goodrich1, Amy M Kilbourne, Zongshan Lai

  • 1VA Ann Arbor Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA. David.Goodrich2@va.gov

Contemporary Clinical Trials
|March 6, 2012
PubMed

Insights

This study tested the Life Goals Collaborative Care (LGCC) intervention for bipolar disorder (BD) patients to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks. The intervention aimed to improve physical and mental health outcomes in BD patients with CVD risk factors.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Cardiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Bipolar disorder (BD) patients face significant cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks, leading to poor health and early death.
  • The Self-Management Addressing Heart Risk Trial (SMAHRT) was designed to address these comorbidities.
  • This study focuses on the effectiveness of the Life Goals Collaborative Care (LGCC) intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of the LGCC intervention in reducing CVD risk factors in BD patients.
  • To improve physical and mental health outcomes in this population.
  • To assess the intervention's impact on quality of life (QOL).

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial comparing LGCC to usual care (UC) in BD patients with CVD risk factors.
  • LGCC involved group self-management sessions and individual support for health behavior change.
  • UC participants received monthly wellness newsletters; outcomes were assessed over 24 months.

Main Results:

  • Baseline data showed a high burden of CVD risk factors in enrolled patients (e.g., smoking, inactivity).
  • Nearly 70% had at least three CVD risk factors.
  • Mean mental and physical health-related QOL scores were significantly below population averages.

Conclusions:

  • The SMAHRT trial highlights substantial CVD risks and reduced QOL in BD patients.
  • LGCC is the first integrated intervention combining behavioral medicine and care management for BD.
  • The intervention aims to mitigate suboptimal health outcomes in BD patients.
Abstract

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