The accuracy of the Framingham risk-score in different socioeconomic groups: a prospective study

Brindle, P.M., McConnachie, A., Upton, M., Hart, C., Davey Smith, G. and Watt, G.C.M. (2005) The accuracy of the Framingham risk-score in different socioeconomic groups: a prospective study. British Journal of General Practice, 55(520), pp. 838-845.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: The primary prevention of cardiovascular disease involves using the Framingham risk score to identify high risk patients and then prescribe preventive treatments. AIM: To examine the performance of the Framingham risk score in different socioeconomic groups in a population with high rates of cardiovascular disease. DESIGN OF STUDY: A prospective study. SETTING: West of Scotland. METHOD: The observed 10-year cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease mortality rates in 5626 men and 6678 women free from cardiovascular disease from the Renfrew/Paisley Study were compared with predicted rates, stratified by socioeconomic class and by area deprivation score. RESULTS: The ratio of predicted to observed cardiovascular mortality rate in the 12 304 men and women with complete risk factor information was 0.56 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.52 to 0.60), a relative underestimation of 44%. Cardiovascular disease mortality was underestimated by 48% in manual participants (predicted over observed = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.48 to 0.56) compared to 31% in the non-manual participants (predicted over observed = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.60 to 0.81, P = 0.0005). Underestimation was also worse in participants from deprived areas (P = 0.0017). Only 4.8% of individuals had a 10-year cardiovascular risk of >40% (equivalent to >30% 10-year coronary risk), and 81% of deaths occurred in the rest. If the Framingham score had been recalibrated for manual and non-manual members of this population, an additional 3611 individuals mainly from manual social classes would have reached the treatment threshold. CONCLUSION: Currently recommended risk scoring methods underestimate risk in socioeconomically deprived individuals. The likely consequence is that preventive treatments are less available to the most needy.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:cardiovascular diseases, clinical prediction tool, Framingham score, mass screening, primary health care, risk assessment
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McConnachie, Professor Alex and Hart, Dr Carole and Davey Smith, Professor George and Upton, Dr Mark and Watt, Professor Graham
Authors: Brindle, P.M., McConnachie, A., Upton, M., Hart, C., Davey Smith, G., and Watt, G.C.M.
Subjects:R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Robertson Centre
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care
Research Group:Midspan
Journal Name:British Journal of General Practice
ISSN:0960-1643
ISSN (Online):1873-3875

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