St. Charles seeks participants in STRENGTH research trial

St. Charles Health System is seeking participants for the STRENGTH trial, which will evaluate the effect of a medication combination on patients who have high triglycerides and other risk factors for heart disease.

The STRENGTH trial, for which St. Charles is one of the clinical research sites, will look at the effectiveness of adding omega-3 carboxylic acids (concentrated fish oil) to statin therapy for reducing major adverse cardiac events in adults with persistent hypertriglyceridemia.

Approximately 13,000 patients worldwide will be randomized to receive either the study drug or a placebo pill (corn oil). Participants will be asked to maintain a heart-healthy diet.

Participation in the study will involve up to four screening visits to check cholesterol levels and 12 visits during the treatment period to monitor blood chemistry and to perform routine clinical and physical assessments. Follow-ups will also occur by phone every six months.

Participants must:

Be 18 years of age or older
Have high triglycerides despite already taking a statin medication Have at least one of the following risk factors for heart disease: Any atherosclerotic CV disease A history of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
A family history of premature coronary heart disease A history of hypertension or currently taking antihypertensive medication
Chronic cigarette smoking (at least one cigarette per day for more than one month)
A history of albuminuria
Impaired renal function (patients on dialysis are excluded)

Dr. James Ritzenthaler is the principal investigator. For more information, contact Kristi Sterry at 541-706-3732.