{
  "abstract": "Introduction The QOF (Quality and Outcomes Framework) is a performance-based financial incentive for GP practices based on public health and clinical indicators. In 2020-2026, only clinical codes related to blood pressure (BP) and cholesterol obtained an increase in points. This incentivises monitoring and treatment, reducing the risk of future CVD-related admissions and mortality. However, QOF data do not account for potential public health inequities in the UK; it is important to systematically analyse QOF-aligned patient data on CVD outcomes across socioeconomic and demographic groups.Methodology The two dependent variables measured cardiovascular risk control. They included the percentage of patients with hypertension treated to the appropriate threshold, and the percentage of patients with QRISK >20% treated with lipid-lowering therapy (LLT). The data are publicly available from the CVDPREVENT database. These were extracted from GP routine records using QOF codes. Excel software enabled the statistical analysis. Disparities were analysed across patient subgroups with different socioeconomic statuses and ethnicities.Results The data on cardiovascular risk control varied by socioeconomic status and ethnicity. However, the statistical significance was inconsistent. There are statistically significant disparities by recorded ethnicity in the proportion of patients under 80 years old who have been treated appropriately for hypertension. In June 2020, the mean value of 65.6% (95% CI: 65.13-66.14) was observed in sub-ICB patient populations in England. In comparison, the percentage of black patients in that subset is 56.03% (95% Cl: 55.26-56.80). This demonstrates a 9.57% reduction (p < 0.10 only). Regarding the proportion of Asian patients treated appropriately for hypertension, there is a strong positive correlation with the growing disparity from the population average over time (r(5)=.875, p < 0.05, figure 1). There are no significant correlations (p < 0.05) for other ethnicities. Furthermore, for the proportion of Asian patients with QRISK < 20% receiving lipid-lowering therapy (LLT), there is the strongest positive correlation over time, r(7) = 0.99, p < 0.001, compared with other ethnic groups. The impact of socioeconomic status on cholesterol risk control may be evident (figure 2). There are clear disparities between the most and least deprived populations. However, the difference was not statistically significant (p<0.05, d < 0.2).Conclusion There are notable disparities in BP and cholesterol control among Asian and Black populations. Differences across socioeconomic groups were less clear. Further regional studies with larger data samples are warranted. The QOF may inadvertently disadvantage GP practices serving diverse ethnic populations. Focused local research can inform equitable adjustments to QOF. This supports sustainable cardiovascular health outcomes in the UK.Abstract 317 Figure 1A line graph demonstrating the disparity between the White and Asian populations compared to the average population over time, regarding the proportion (%) of the population < 80 years old treated appropriately for hypertensionAbstract 317 Figure 2A clustered bar chart demonstrating how the percentage of patients with a QRISK > 20% (estimated risk of heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years) who are treated with LLT (lipid lowering therapy) changes over time; a cross comparison is made with different socioeconomic groups represented by deprivation quintiles; 5 is least deprived, increasing to 1st quintile, most deprived",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Sandwell and West Birmingham Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Gaura Navakumar"
    }
  ],
  "title": "317 Variation in cardiovascular risk factor control across primary care in England: a QOF-aligned analysis using CVDPREVENT data",
  "uid": "6a123b50-161c-58c1-9b0a-2fa778ad3d94"
}