Knowledge of clinical trials by disease status: A Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) study

While clinical trials (CTs) are crucial for advancing healthcare, public knowledge remains limited. Individuals with cancer may be more engaged with experimental treatments than those with other chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease (CVD). Whether CVD patients have comparable CT knowledge, and how this varies by sociodemographic factors, remains unclear.

To examine CT knowledge variation between individuals with cancer and CVD and identify sociodemographic correlates of knowledge within CVD population.

HINTS is a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults aged ≥18 years. Participants self-reported cancer history, CVD status, and CT knowledge. Logistic regression assessed associations between disease status and CT knowledge, adjusting for sociodemographic and health factors. Within CVD group, variables with P < 0.25 in univariable models were retained in multivariable model. Analyses applied sampling weights.

Among a weighted sample (n = 3772) representing ∼250 million (mean [SD] age, 57 [17.0] years; 50% women), 6% reported cancer and 8% CVD. CT knowledge was 61% in CVD and cancer groups; 35% of CVD group were low-income. In adjusted models, CT knowledge among cancer-only (OR 1.09, 95%CI 0.70-1.68) and CVD-only (OR 1.26, 95%CI 0.73-2.18) groups did not differ significantly from adults without CVD or cancer. Among CVD population, lower income participants (OR 0.24, 95%CI 0.06-0.98) had significantly lower odds of CT knowledge.

Most adults with CVD and cancer lacked CT knowledge, underscoring need for broader education. Reduced income was independently associated with diminished knowledge, suggesting targeted efforts may benefit underserved patients and expand access to innovative therapies.