Screening Research - Published 3 July 2008 BMJ 2008;337:a346
Cardiovascular evaluation, including resting and exercise electrocardiography, before participation in competitive sports: cross sectional study.
Conclusions Among people seeking to take part in competitivesports, exercise ECG can identify those with cardiac abnormalities. Follow-up studies would show if disqualification of such peoplewould reduce the incidence of CV events among athletes. For abstract see here.National Screening Programs
The UK National Screening Committee advises Ministers, the devolved national Assemblies and Scottish Parliament on all aspects of screening policy. The NSC evaluates proposed new screening programmes against a set of internationally recognised criteria covering the condition, the test, the treatment options and effectiveness and acceptability of the screening programme. Assessing programmes in this way is intended to ensure that they do more good than harm at a reasonable cost.
DOH Commissioning and managing a screen program
UK National Screening Committee
Response to SADSUK's request for an update on screening for conditions that cause SADS was received on the 24th May 2007:-
The National Screening Committee (NSC) looks at screening programmes individually on a condition by condition basis so at this time we are unable to say what other conditions will be considered during the year or at the same time as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
As you are aware, there is insufficient evidence to introduce a screening programme for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy either for the whole population or for specific subgroups but that it will be reviewed during 2007/08. Unfortunately there is no timescale for this at the moment. Currently we are awaiting the appointment of a new UK NSC Programme Director and it will be at this time when such decisions are made.
The issues you have raised about GPs assisting with a family history evaluation is one that Mike Yates, who I know you know well, is considering at the moment. Mike and his colleagues, patient organisations like SADS UK, and 'champions' in the NHS do encourage GPs to do this where they can - the tricky thing is to bring some consistencey and quality to this.
As you will appreciate there are lots of things to consider here, but Mike is pursuing this with his colleagues in the Department of Health. I am sure Mike will keep you informed of progress.
Medical papers covering screening for cardiac conditions
Shown here are a few papers covering the subject of screening, most papers on this subject refer to sports persons engaged in regular competitive sport. We have put them in categories depending on our interpretation of the authors position regarding the value and effectiveness of screening. Please let of know of other studies you find.