Epidemiology of Plasma Fatty Acids and Atherosclerosis

February 24, 2016 updated by: University of Minnesota
To measure by gas-liquid chromatography the relative concentrations of all saturated and unsaturated fatty acids found in the cholesterol ester and phospholipid fractions of plasma from 4,000 subjects participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. The data were used to clarify the role of various fatty acids in atherosclerosis.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

BACKGROUND:

The ARIC study is a large population-based, prospective, multicenter study supported by NHLBI which began in 1986, and is designed to investigate the etiology and natural history of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk factors. It involves investigation of four cohorts, each with 4,000 adults ages 45 to 65 from four different communities. The study conducts surveillance for hospitalized myocardial infarction, fatal cardiovascular disease, and stroke in its cohorts and of the community from which they are drawn. Events are classified by a Morbidity and Mortality Classification Committee using standardized criteria.

Data collected on the ARIC cohort at baseline included: a clinical history, a physical examination including blood pressure, height, weight, and anthropometry. A second history and physical examination were performed after three years, and annual telephone interviews were conducted in the intervening years. Laboratory studies at baseline and at three years included: electrocardiogram, pulmonary function tests, ultrasonographic examination of both carotids and one popliteal artery for direct visualization of the atherosclerotic process in peripheral large vessels, and numerous blood studies. Certain hemostatic and lipid tests were performed only in 'cases' with ultrasonographically determined carotid atherosclerosis and matched normal 'controls.'

The ARIC clinical history did collect some dietary history using the Willett Questionnaire, and asked a few questions regarding fish consumption. However, specific questions were brief and only semi-quantitative. Direct measurement of plasma fatty acid content as an ancillary study in the Minnesota cohort of the ARIC study gave far more objective information on specific fatty acid consumption and was invaluable in sorting out the true role that various fatty acids play in the prevention of coronary heart disease. Furthermore, measurement of plasma fatty acids in Minnesota ARIC subjects allowed investigation of the relationships between plasma fatty acids composition and the vast amount of laboratory and clinical outcome data which the ARIC study collected. Because the clinical and other laboratory data for each ARIC participant were already available in the computerized data base, a tremendous amount of valuable information was derived on plasma fatty acid relationships with laboratory findings and clinical outcome in a large, randomly selected United States population.

DESIGN NARRATIVE:

The studies were ancillary to the ARIC study. A cross-sectional study examined the association of plasma fatty acids with plasma lipids, hemostatic parameters, and blood pressure. A nested case-control study examined the association of plasma fatty acids in 75 Minnesota cases with carotid atherosclerosis versus 75 normal matched controls. A third study examined the association of plasma fatty acids with incident clinical cardiovascular events, namely myocardial infarction and stroke.

Study Type

Observational

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

No older than 100 years (Child, Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Male

Description

No eligibility criteria

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Minnesota

Collaborators

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Publications and helpful links

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General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

July 1, 1988

Study Completion

June 1, 1992

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 25, 2000

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 25, 2000

First Posted (Estimate)

May 26, 2000

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

February 25, 2016

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 24, 2016

Last Verified

February 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 1106
  • R01HL040848 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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