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Cardiovascular DiseasesPhase 3WHSNCT00000479

Women's Health Study (WHS): A Randomized Trial of Low-dose Aspirin and Vitamin E in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer

A Phase 3 study testing Aspirin and Vitamin E in people with Cardiovascular Diseases and Cerebrovascular Disorders, run by Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of low-dose aspirin and vitamin E in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer in apparently healthy women. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 45 years and older, women only
What is being tested?
Aspirin and Vitamin E
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
39,876 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
Sep 1992to Feb 2005
Phase
Phase 3
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 45 years and older
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Healthy women
  • No previous history of cardiovascular disease or cancer
  • No contraindications to aspirin or vitamin E

Who cannot join

None listed.

About this study

Official title: Women's Health Study of Low-dose Aspirin and Vitamin E in Apparently Healthy Women

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of low-dose aspirin and vitamin E in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer in apparently healthy women.

Read the detailed description

BACKGROUND:

Various doses of aspirin have been shown to be effective in preventing thrombosis or vascular occlusion in several clinical conditions. Short-term studies have documented the efficacy of aspirin in preventing occlusion of saphenous vein bypass grants, preventing myocardial infarction in patients with unstable angina, preventing transient ischemic attacks and stroke in men with cerebral vascular disease, preventing occlusion of injured coronary arteries following transluminal angioplasty and aiding in reducing myocardial infarction and total mortality in patients receiving fibrinolytic therapy. Additionally, aspirin has been effective in the secondary prevention of myocardial infarction in subjects with known coronary artery disease. The results of the Physicians' Health Study, a large-scale primary prevention trial of aspirin in male physicians, have shown a decrease in myocardial infarction, a non-significant increase in cerebral vascular events, and no difference in overall mortality. However, few studies have addressed the efficacy of aspirin in vascular diseases in women, and it is possible that the risk to benefit ratio may be different in women. Specifically, there have been no large primary prevention trials in women, who are at risk of coronary heart disease, especially after menopause.

DESIGN NARRATIVE:

The Women's Health Study (WHS) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial using a 2x2 factorial design. The WHS is sponsored by both NHBLI (HL080467) and NCI (CA047988). Approximately 1.75 million female health professionals were contacted by mail to determine if they were suitable for inclusion in the study. A three-month run-in phase was performed to screen out those with poor compliance. Randomization, which began in February 1993 and ended in January 1996, was stratified on five-year age groups. A total of 39,876 participants were randomly assigned to either Vitamin E (600 IU every other day) or placebo; and to aspirin (100 mg every other day) or placebo. IN the 2x2 factorial design, women were randomly assigned to active aspirin and placebo vitamin E (n=9,968), placebo aspirin and active vitamin E (n=9,971), active aspirin and active vitamin E (n=9,966), or placebo aspirin and placebo vitamin E (n=9,971). A description of the characteristics of women in these 4 groups is provided in J Women's Health Gend Based Med 2000;9:19-27. In the main analyses, all women on active aspirin (n=19,934) were compared to women on placebo aspirin (n=19,942); and all women on active vitamin E (n=19,937) were compared to women on placebo aspirin (n=19,939).

As part of the initial trial, pre-randomization blood samples from 28,345 participants were frozen and stored for genetic analysis which has been supported by non-federal sources.

The primary endpoint is the reduction of the risk of all important vascular events (a combined endpoint of nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and total cardiovascular death) and a decrease in the incidence of total malignant neoplasms of epithelial cell origin. Secondary endpoints are the individual components of the combined endpoints. Compliance is measured by replies to a questionnaire sent out every year. The trial was completed in 2004 and results were published in 2005 (N Engl J Med 2005;352:1293-304; JAMA 2005;294:47-55; JAMA 2005;294:56-65).

Currently, women are being followed on an observational basis.

Being tested
Aspirin, Vitamin E, Placebo
Medical subject headings
Cardiovascular Diseases, Cerebrovascular Disorders, Coronary Disease, Heart Diseases, Myocardial Infarction, Myocardial Ischemia, Vascular Diseases

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • AspirinDrug

    Participants will receive 100 mg of aspirin every other day.

  • Vitamin EDrug

    Participants will receive 600 IU of vitamin E every other day.

  • PlaceboBehavioural

    Participants will receive placebo.

Study groups in NCT00000479
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
1ExperimentalVitamin E (600 IU every other day) and aspirin (100 mg every other day)
Receives: Drug: Aspirin; Drug: Vitamin E
2ExperimentalVitamin E (600 IU every other day) and placebo
Receives: Drug: Vitamin E; Behavioral: Placebo
3ExperimentalAspirin (100 mg every other day) and placebo
Receives: Drug: Aspirin; Behavioral: Placebo
4Placebo comparatorPlacebo and placebo
Receives: Behavioral: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Number of Participants With Major Cardiovascular Events (a Combined Endpoint of Nonfatal Myocardial Infarction, Nonfatal Stroke, and Total Cardiovascular Death)

    Measured: Average follow-up 10.1 years

  2. Number of Participants With Cancer, Excluding Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

    Measured: Average follow-up 10.1 years

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted28 Oct 1999 (estimated)
  2. Study startSep 1992
  3. Primary completionMar 2004
  4. Study completionFeb 2005

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Factorial
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
39,876 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT00000479
Sponsor's protocol ID
69
Other IDs
R01HL043851, HL043851, CA047988
Acronym
WHS
Status last verified
Jun 2012
First submitted
27 Oct 1999
Last updated
15 Jun 2012
Data monitoring committee
Yes

Publications

  • Ridker PM, Miletich JP, Hennekens CH, Buring JE. Ethnic distribution of factor V Leiden in 4047 men and women. Implications for venous thromboembolism screening. JAMA. 1997 Apr 23-30;277(16):1305-7.

    PubMed 9109469
  • Ridker PM, Buring JE, Shih J, Matias M, Hennekens CH. Prospective study of C-reactive protein and the risk of future cardiovascular events among apparently healthy women. Circulation. 1998 Aug 25;98(8):731-3. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.98.8.731.

    PubMed 9727541
  • Ridker PM, Hennekens CH, Rifai N, Buring JE, Manson JE. Hormone replacement therapy and increased plasma concentration of C-reactive protein. Circulation. 1999 Aug 17;100(7):713-6. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.100.7.713.

    PubMed 10449692
  • Lee IM, Cook NR, Manson JE, Buring JE, Hennekens CH. Beta-carotene supplementation and incidence of cancer and cardiovascular disease: the Women's Health Study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1999 Dec 15;91(24):2102-6. doi: 10.1093/jnci/91.24.2102.

    PubMed 10601381
  • Rexrode KM, Lee IM, Cook NR, Hennekens CH, Buring JE. Baseline characteristics of participants in the Women's Health Study. J Womens Health Gend Based Med. 2000 Jan-Feb;9(1):19-27. doi: 10.1089/152460900318911.

    PubMed 10718501
  • Liu S, Manson JE, Lee IM, Cole SR, Hennekens CH, Willett WC, Buring JE. Fruit and vegetable intake and risk of cardiovascular disease: the Women's Health Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Oct;72(4):922-8. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/72.4.922.

    PubMed 11010932
  • Lee IM, Rexrode KM, Cook NR, Manson JE, Buring JE. Physical activity and coronary heart disease in women: is "no pain, no gain" passe? JAMA. 2001 Mar 21;285(11):1447-54. doi: 10.1001/jama.285.11.1447.

    PubMed 11255420
  • Pradhan AD, Manson JE, Rifai N, Buring JE, Ridker PM. C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, and risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. JAMA. 2001 Jul 18;286(3):327-34. doi: 10.1001/jama.286.3.327.

    PubMed 11466099
  • Sesso HD, Lee IM, Gaziano JM, Rexrode KM, Glynn RJ, Buring JE. Maternal and paternal history of myocardial infarction and risk of cardiovascular disease in men and women. Circulation. 2001 Jul 24;104(4):393-8. doi: 10.1161/hc2901.093115.

    PubMed 11468199
  • Ridker PM, Hennekens CH, Buring JE, Rifai N. C-reactive protein and other markers of inflammation in the prediction of cardiovascular disease in women. N Engl J Med. 2000 Mar 23;342(12):836-43. doi: 10.1056/NEJM200003233421202.

    PubMed 10733371
  • Blake GJ, Otvos JD, Rifai N, Ridker PM. Low-density lipoprotein particle concentration and size as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as predictors of cardiovascular disease in women. Circulation. 2002 Oct 8;106(15):1930-7. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.0000033222.75187.b9.

    PubMed 12370215
  • Cook NR, Bensenor IM, Lotufo PA, Lee IM, Skerrett PJ, Chown MJ, Ajani UA, Manson JE, Buring JE. Migraine and coronary heart disease in women and men. Headache. 2002 Sep;42(8):715-27. doi: 10.1046/j.1526-4610.2002.02173.x.

    PubMed 12390634
  • Liu S, Manson JE, Buring JE, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC, Ridker PM. Relation between a diet with a high glycemic load and plasma concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in middle-aged women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Mar;75(3):492-8. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/75.3.492.

    PubMed 11864854
  • Porch JV, Lee IM, Cook NR, Rexrode KM, Burin JE. Estrogen-progestin replacement therapy and breast cancer risk: the Women's Health Study (United States). Cancer Causes Control. 2002 Nov;13(9):847-54. doi: 10.1023/a:1020617415381.

    PubMed 12462550
  • Ridker PM, Rifai N, Rose L, Buring JE, Cook NR. Comparison of C-reactive protein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the prediction of first cardiovascular events. N Engl J Med. 2002 Nov 14;347(20):1557-65. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa021993.

    PubMed 12432042

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 3 study testing Aspirin and Vitamin E in people with Cardiovascular Diseases and Cerebrovascular Disorders, run by Brigham and Women's Hospital.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 0 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Jun 2012. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 13 Jun 2012). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Number of Participants With Major Cardiovascular Events (a Combined Endpoint of Nonfatal Myocardial Infarction, Nonfatal Stroke, and Total Cardiovascular Death) (time frame: Average follow-up 10.1 years). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00000479, which also lists 137 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Jun 2012; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.

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