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Myocardial IschemiaSEPPRMACI-ARMNCT02694185

Secondary Event Prevention Using Population Risk Management After PCI and for Anti-Rheumatic Medications

A study testing Caplan IVR in people with Myocardial Ischemia and Rheumatic Diseases, run by VA Office of Research and Development at 5 sites in 2 countries.

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

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and its treatment carry profound public health and economic implications. Among Veterans, IHD represents one of the most common causes of death and disability, with over 500,000 affected individuals' annually. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 95 years
Conditions the study is for
Myocardial Ischemia, Rheumatic Diseases
What is being tested?
Caplan IVR
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
5,269 participants
Where
5 sitesin 2 countries
Study dates
1 Oct 2016to 28 Feb 2025
Phase
Interventional
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 18 to 95 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients will qualify for inclusion if they:
  • Undergo PCI or are prescribed a DMARD.
  • Are prescribed any of the following medications:
  • [for the IHD intervention]
  • Statin
  • Beta-blocker
Show all 15Show fewer
  • Thienopyridines (dual platelet inhibitors)
  • [for the DMARD intervention]
  • Oral methotrexate
  • Sulfasalazine
  • Azathioprine
  • Leflunomide
  • Tofacitinib
  • Hydroxychloroquine [Note: as a study focused on adherence, the investigators will NOT address the appropriateness of prescribed medications, which is an important, but separate issue]
  • Receive their care from the VA. This is defined by the presence of a VA-assigned-PCP in the year prior to PCI or in the year following PCI (IHD intervention) or in the year prior to or following index DMARD prescription (rheumatic disease intervention).

Who cannot join

  • Patients will be excluded under the following circumstances:
  • Undergoing only diagnostic (non-interventional) catheterization
  • Receive their index medicines (listed in item above) from a non-VA source
  • Discharge to nursing home or skilled nursing facility
  • Individuals with impaired decision making capacity
  • Prisoners
  • Pregnant women
  • The terminally ill

Trial locations and contacts

5 sites in 2 countries.

5 sites in 2 countries

United States4 sites
  • Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO

    Aurora, Colorado, 80045-7211

  • Baltimore VA Medical Center VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21201

  • Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC

    Durham, North Carolina, 27705

  • San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA

    San Francisco, California, 94121

Other trials in United States

Puerto Rico1 site
  • VA Caribbean Healthcare System, San Juan, PR

    San Juan, 00921

Other trials in Puerto Rico

About this study

Official title: Secondary Event Prevention Using Population Risk Management After PCI

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and its treatment carry profound public health and economic implications. Among Veterans, IHD represents one of the most common causes of death and disability, with over 500,000 affected individuals' annually. Rheumatic disease, though far less common than IHD can affect multiple organ systems and requires therapies costing in excess of $50,000 a year. Optimal treatment of Veterans with IHD and rheumatic disease requires a number of medications to maintain or improve health. Not taking medications as prescribed, however, is common and increases the risk of subsequent adverse events (cardiac death and myocardial infarction [MI]).

To improve medication adherence rates and the cardiac health of Veterans with IHD, the investigators propose to test a medication adherence intervention. Known as VA SEPPRMACI-ARM (Secondary Event Prevention using Population Risk Management After PCI and for Anti-Rheumatic Medications), this intervention will consist of: proactive real-time adherence monitoring of patients and targeting of individuals if they have not refilled their medication a given number of days after it was due for refill. The intervention will employ a tailored, escalating-intensity approach which begins with some combination of personalized short messaging service (SMS) text messages and interactive voice response (IVR) telephone technology, depending on patient preference. Patients not completing SMS and then IVR by not refilling their medication (or declining SMS and not completing IVR) escalate to a trained research interventionalist. The interventionalist will contact the patient and address adherence barriers based on the dimensions outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO) that are specific to each patient. The investigators will test the intervention on IHD patients who have recently undergone PCI-a cardiac procedure commonly used among IHD patients to improve the heart's blood flow and in patients starting anti-rheumatic medication. The investigators will test the intervention at four VA Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories (CCLs) and have 12 sites serving as usual care controls.

Read the detailed description

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and rheumatic diseases are both pervasive, expensive, and results in grave health consequences. IHD affects an estimated 15.4 million Americans 20 years of age-representing 6.4% of the adult population. The direct and indirect cost of IHD has been estimated at $195.2 billion, with a doubling of cost projected by 2030.5 Similarly, the direct cost to the U.S. workforce for rheumatoid arthritis alone approaches $5.8 billion yearly.

Widely-accepted national evidence-based guidelines support the use of cardio-protective medications to reduce the risk of adverse consequences resulting from IHD and disease modifying anti-rheumatic medications (DMARDs) to reduce the risk of adverse consequence in rheumatic diseases. For example, numerous rigorously conducted randomized trials show that statins improve outcomes and reduce mortality in patients with established cardiovascular disease (i.e., secondary prevention), including those undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The use of statins and beta-blockers have been repeatedly demonstrated to be cost-effective in lowering cardiovascular event (CVE) rates, in part by their effects on cholesterol, and blood pressure, respectively. Accordingly, the most recent VA performance measures and American Heart Association guidelines encourage the use of statins in patients with atherosclerotic disease; beta-blockers in subjects with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction less than 40%), prior MI, or blood pressure of 140/90 or greater; and clopidogrel following any acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or PCI with stent. The rheumatology literature provides similar evidence for the benefit of DMARDs in rheumatic diseases, and guidelines strongly endorse their use.

Unfortunately, non-adherence to medications is common, and increases the risk of poor outcomes. The investigators' 2011 national preliminary data from VA cardiac catheterization laboratories (CCLs) demonstrate that over 6300 patients experienced at least one refill gap of >= 7 days for statins in the year following PCI. The mean proportion of days covered (PDC) for these patients was only 75%-below the PDC threshold of 80% that typical defines adherent patients, based on the empiric evidence for effectiveness of medications at this cut-point. Non-adherent patients were present at all CCLs without substantial variation in mean PDC by center, suggesting a global problem.

Systematic problems underlie and contribute to non-adherence to medications. Usual care of IHD and rheumatic disease patients is encumbered by systematic deficiencies including: passive monitoring (contact with patients only when initiated by the patient) and inefficiency (time-consuming patient-by-patient approach, rather than through population management). The proposed intervention addresses both the complex patient-specific factors (emphasizing forgetfulness and carelessness) and the systematic inadequacies using a multi-modal, escalating approach.

Objectives

  1. To assess the effectiveness of a multi-faceted patient-centered intervention versus usual care in improving medication adherence as measured by proportion of days covered (PDC, primary outcome). This will be tested among IHD patients for statins, beta-blockers and clopidogrel in the year after PCI and among rheumatology clinic patients chronically prescribed DMARDs. Hypothesis: The PDC for patients in the intervention arm will exceed the PDC for the usual care arm by a 10% absolute difference.
  2. (Secondary outcome): To determine the effectiveness of a multi-faceted patient-centered intervention versus usual care in reducing secondary CVEs (myocardial infarction [MI], repeat revascularization [PCI or coronary bypass graft], and all-cause mortality) among IHD patients at 18 months post-PCI and progressive erosive disease demonstrated on plain film radiographs in patients with rheumatic diseases (i.e. "radiographic progression"). Hypothesis: The rate of CVEs and radiographic progression will be 5% relatively lower for patients in the intervention arm compared with usual care.
  3. (Secondary outcome): To establish the cost to implement and maintain the intervention, above the cost of usual care, as well as the incremental cost effectiveness (ICE; e.g. cost to achieve at 10% improvement in PDC; cost per CVE prevented). Hypothesis: This aim does not posit a hypothesis as the objective is descriptive. The available funding for this project limits this outcome to IHD patients (no rheumatic disease patients will be analyzed according to cost).
Being tested
Caplan IVR
Keywords
Medication Adherence, Randomized Controlled Trial, Veterans
Medical subject headings
Myocardial Ischemia, Rheumatic Diseases, Medication Adherence

What participants receive

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

  • Caplan IVROther

    This intervention will consist of: proactive real-time adherence monitoring of patients and targeting of individuals only when they have exhibited non-adherence behavior (i.e., if patients have not refilled their medication more than 4 or 7 days after it was due to be refilled). The intervention will employ a tailored, escalating-intensity approach which begins with some combination of personalized short messaging service (SMS) text messages and interactive voice response (IVR) telephone technology, depending on patient preference. Patients failing SMS and then IVR by not refilling their medication (or declining SMS and failing IVR) escalate to a trained research interventionalist (typically, a clinical pharmacist). The interventionalist will contact the patient and address adherence barriers based on the dimensions outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO) that are specific to each patient.

Study groups in NCT02694185
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Experimental GroupExperimentalThis group will undergo the intervention as described in the protocol
Receives: Other: Caplan IVR
Control GroupNo interventionThis group will not receive the intervention, they will receive usual care

What is being measured

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

  1. Proportion of Days Covered (PDC)

    Proportion of Days Covered (PDC) is measured by looking at the number of doses of medication a patient has versus days in the month (if a patient has 20 days of medication for a 30 day period their PDC is 20/30, 2/3, or 66.7%). Used to assess the effectiveness of the intervention, PDC will be tested among IHD patients in the year after PCI and among rheumatology clinic patients chronically prescribed DMARDs.

    Measured: 1 year

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Cardiovascular Events (CVE)

    Cardiovascular Events (CVEs) such as mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, or repeat revascularization among IHD patients at 12 months post-PCI and progressive erosive disease demonstrated in patients with rheumatic disease will be monitored. CVEs will be monitored to determine if there is a reduction in the occurrence of those events as a result of the intervention.

    Measured: 1 year

  2. Incremental Cost Effectiveness (ICE)

    To establish the cost to implement and maintain the intervention, above the cost of usual care. Incremental Cost Effectiveness (ICE) is the cost to achieve a 10% improvement in PDC, and the cost of CVE prevented.

    Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year

Timeline

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

  1. First posted29 Feb 2016 (estimated)
  2. Study start1 Oct 2016
  3. Primary completion31 Dec 2019
  4. Study completion28 Feb 2025

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 N/A
Primary purpose
Health services research
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
5,269 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02694185
Sponsor's protocol ID
IIR 14-048
Other IDs
16-1419, 1I01HX001604-01A2
Acronym
SEPPRMACI-ARM
Status last verified
May 2026
First submitted
16 Feb 2016
Last updated
27 May 2026
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Raghavan S, Liu WG, Michael Ho P, Plomondon ME, Baron AE, Caplan L, Joynt Maddox KE, Magid D, Saxon DR, Voils CI, Bradley SM, Maddox TM. Coronary artery disease severity modifies associations between glycemic control and both mortality and myocardial infarction. J Diabetes Complications. 2018 May;32(5):480-487. doi: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2018.01.010. Epub 2018 Jan 31.

    PubMed 29483016
  • Baker JF, Sauer B, Teng CC, George M, Cannon GW, Ibrahim S, Cannella A, England BR, Michaud K, Caplan L, Davis LA, O'Dell J, Mikuls TR. Initiation of Disease-Modifying Therapies in Rheumatoid Arthritis Is Associated With Changes in Blood Pressure. J Clin Rheumatol. 2018 Jun;24(4):203-209. doi: 10.1097/RHU.0000000000000736.

    PubMed 29664818
  • Yazdany J, Caplan L, Fitzgerald J, Schmajuk G. Editorial: The Evolving Art and Science of American College of Rheumatology Guidelines. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2019 Jan;71(1):2-4. doi: 10.1002/art.40725. Epub 2018 Nov 30. No abstract available.

    PubMed 30499229
  • McCulley CB, Barton JL, Cannon GW, Sauer BC, Teng CC, George MD, Caplan L, England BR, Mikuls TR, Baker JF. Body mass index and persistence of conventional DMARDs and TNF inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2019 May-Jun;37(3):422-428. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

    PubMed 30418120
  • Hirsh J, Wood P, Keniston A, Boyle D, Quinzanos I, Caplan L, Davis L. Universal Health Literacy Precautions Are Associated With a Significant Increase in Medication Adherence in Vulnerable Rheumatology Patients. ACR Open Rheumatol. 2020 Feb;2(2):110-118. doi: 10.1002/acr2.11108. Epub 2020 Jan 19.

    PubMed 31957348
  • Raghavan S, Liu WG, Berkowitz SA, Baron AE, Plomondon ME, Maddox TM, Reusch JEB, Ho PM, Caplan L. Association of Glycemic Control Trajectory with Short-Term Mortality in Diabetes Patients with High Cardiovascular Risk: a Joint Latent Class Modeling Study. J Gen Intern Med. 2020 Aug;35(8):2266-2273. doi: 10.1007/s11606-020-05848-5. Epub 2020 Apr 24.

    PubMed 32333313
  • Daniel CM, Davila L, Makris UE, Mayo H, Caplan L, Davis L, Solow EB. Ethnic Disparities in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Incidence and Prevalence Among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients in the United States: a Systematic Review. ACR Open Rheumatol. 2020 Sep;2(9):525-532. doi: 10.1002/acr2.11170. Epub 2020 Sep 1.

    PubMed 32869533

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Caplan IVR in people with Myocardial Ischemia and Rheumatic Diseases, run by VA Office of Research and Development at 5 sites in 2 countries.

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 15 inclusion and 8 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 27 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 5 sites in United States, Puerto Rico. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

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

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 25 Jun 2021). 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?

Proportion of Days Covered (PDC) (time frame: 1 year). 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 NCT02694185, which also lists 7 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 27 May 2026.

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