Abstract 278: The China Patient-Centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events (PEACE) Prospective Study of Acute Myocardial Infarction: Study Design

Abstract

Background: The incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is growing rapidly in China, but there is limited information about the patient experience in the post-acute period. Specifically, long-term outcomes and patient-reported outcomes (PROs), including quality of life, symptoms and mood, after AMI, have not been systematically studied in China. Objectives: To conduct a nationwide prospective study following patients after AMI that 1) measures long-term clinical outcomes, PROs, cardiovascular risk factor control and adherence to medications for secondary prevention; and 2) identifies patient characteristics and hospital attributes that are associated with these outcomes. Methods: The China PEACE Prospective Study of AMI has recruited 4000 consecutive patients from 55 hospitals across China and is following them for 1-year. The first patient was enrolled in December 2012, and the last follow-up visit is scheduled for June 2015. After obtaining informed consent from patients, we abstracted details of their medical history, treatment, and in-hospital outcomes from medical charts. We conducted comprehensive baseline interviews characterizing patient demographics, risk factors, clinical presentation, and healthcare utilization. In addition, we used validated PRO instruments to measure quality of life, symptoms, mood, sleep, cognition and sexual activity. Follow-up interviews, measuring PROs, medication adherence and risk factor control were conducted at 1-, 6-, and 12-months after discharge. At these interviews, patients were asked to self-report major health events and to provide supporting materials (e.g., hospital discharge record for a readmission), which were subsequently validated by a National Coordinating Center. Blood and urine samples were obtained at baseline and 12-month follow-up, and stored for further biomarker analysis and genetic studies. To complement these patient-level data, we surveyed participating hospitals to characterize their facilities, processes and organizational learning culture. Together, these data will be used to identify factors associated with various outcomes following AMI. Conclusion: This study is uniquely positioned to generate new information regarding patient experience and determinants of outcomes after AMI in China.