Evidence map›Paper›PMID 29422049›Full record

Trial reportBMC health services research2018

Results from the CLUES study: a cluster randomized trial for the evaluation of cardiovascular guideline implementation in primary care in Spain.

Arritxu Etxeberria, Idoia Alcorta, Itziar Pérez, Jose Ignacio Emparanza, Elena Ruiz de Velasco, Maria Teresa Iglesias, Rafael Rotaeche

Open access · goldAbstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMC health services research, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
2.3field-weighted citation impact, top 12% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 17 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Tailored interventions to address determinants of practice.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.

Arritxu EtxeberriaDonostialdea Integrated Healthcare Organization, Osakidetza-Basque Health Service, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Hernani, Spain. arritxuetxe@gmail.com.ORCID 0000-0003-3563-2545
Idoia AlcortaBidasoa Integrated Healthcare Organization, Osakidetza-Basque Health Service, Irún, Spain.
Itziar PérezBidasoa Integrated Healthcare Organization, Osakidetza-Basque Health Service, Irún, Spain.
Jose Ignacio EmparanzaClinical Epidemiology Unit, Donostia University Hospital, Osakidetza-Basque Health Service, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, CIBERESP, Critical Appraisal Skills Programme, San Sebastian, Spain.
Elena Ruiz de VelascoBilbao-Basurto Integrated Healthcare Organization, Osakidetza-Basque Health Service, Bilbao, Spain.
Maria Teresa IglesiasClinical Epidemiology Unit, CIBERESP, Donostia University Hospital, Osakidetza-Basque Health Service, San Sebastian, Spain.
Rafael RotaecheAlza Health Centre, Osakidetza-Basque Health Service, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain.
Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute · ESOsakidetza · ESHospital de Basurto · ESUniversitat de Miguel Hernández d'Elx · ES

Funding

Department of Health of the Basque Government 2011111091Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ES) 2007/05
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe implementation of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPG) can improve patients care. To date, the impact of implementation strategies has not been evaluated in our context. This study is aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a multifaceted tailored intervention targeting clinician education for the implementation of three cardiovascular risk-related CPGs (type 2 diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia) in primary care at the Basque Health Service compared with usual implementation.

methodsWe conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial in two urban districts with 43 primary care units (PCU). Data from all patients diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension and all those eligible for coronary risk (CR) assessment were included. In the control group, guidelines were introduced in the usual way (by email, intranet and clinical meetings). In the intervention group, the implementation also included a specific website and workshops. Primary endpoints were annual HbA1c testing (diabetes), annual general laboratory testing (hypertension) and annual CR assessment (dyslipidemia). Secondary endpoints were process, prescription and clinical endpoints related with guideline recommendations. Analysis was performed at a PCU level weighted by cluster size.

resultsSignificant differences between groups were observed in primary outcomes in the dyslipidemia CPG: increased CR assessment for both women and men (weighted mean difference, WMD, 13.58 and 12.91%). No significant differences were observed in diabetes and hypertension CPGs primary outcomes. Regarding secondary endpoints, annual CR assessment was significantly higher in both diabetic and hypertensive patients in the intervention group (WMD 28.16 and 27.55%). Rates of CR assessment before starting new statin treatments also increased (WMD 23.09%), resulting in a lower rate of statin prescribing in low risk women. Diuretic prescribing was higher in the intervention group (WMD 20.59%). Clinical outcomes (HbA1c and blood pressure control) did not differ between groups.

conclusionsThe multifaceted implementation proved to be effective to increase the CR assessment and to improve prescription, but ineffective to improve diabetes and hypertension related outcomes. In order to obtain real improvements when cardiovascular issues are tackled, perhaps other or additional interventions need to be implemented besides education of professionals.

trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials, ISRCTN 88876909 (retrospectively registered on January 13, 2009).

Indexed as

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2DyslipidemiasGuideline AdherenceHypertensionPractice Guidelines as TopicAdolescentAdultAgedFemaleGlycated HemoglobinHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrimary Health CareRisk AssessmentSpainGlycated Hemoglobinhemoglobin A1c protein, humanCardiovascular risk factorsDiabetesGuidelinesHealth plan implementationHyperlipidemiasHypertensionPrimary health care

Identifiers

PMID29422049
PMCPMC5806349
OpenAlexW2789638859

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.