Table 8. Selected Dietary Intervention Trials Using CHD Morbidity and/or Mortality as Endpoints.

Subjects Study Characterization
Study N Age Design Randomized Duration (Y) TC* Reduction (%) Comments
Finnish Mental Hospital 5115 male, female > 15 Crossover No 6 12-18 53% ↓ in CHD motality in men (P < 0.002), with a 34% ↓ in women (P=NS).
Oslo Diet-Heart 412 male CHD 30-64 Unblinded Yes 5 14 33% ↓ in Mls (P <0.05) 26% ↓ in CHD mortality (P=NS).
Los Angeles-VA 846 male 50-89 Double Blinded Yes 5-8 13 31% ↓ in the endpoints of MI, CHD mortality CVA ruptured aneurism, ischemic gangrene (P < 0.01); 20% ↓ in 1° endpoints of MI and sudden death (P=NS).
Minnesota Mental Hospital 9057 male, female all Double Blinded Yes < 4.5 14 No significant differences or trends were noted in MI or sudden death.
DART 203 male CHD < 70 Factorial Yes 2 2.8 29% ↓ in 2 year all-cause mortality in subjects advised to eat fish (P < 0.05) due to 33% ↓ in CHD mortality (P < 0.01).
Lyon Diet-Heart 605 male, female CHD < 70 Single Blinded Yes 5 7.5¶ 76% ↓ in CHD mortality in post-MI patients fed an alinolenic-rich diet (P < 0.02).

* The % reduction in plasma total, rather than low density lipoprotein, cholesterol is reported due to the unavailability of the latter measurement in the early intervention trials.

+ Values are for the periods of 1959-1965 and 1965-1971, respectively.

+ Value represents decrease in those given fat advice only (P=NS). No changes from baseline were noted in either the fiber or fish advice groups.

¶ Only data for the 2-year follow-up were provided. CHD, coronary heart disease; TC, total cholesterol; NS, not significant; MI, myocardial infarction; CVA, cerebrovascular accident; DART, Diet and Reinfarction Trial.