Collected Dataset / PROSPER_Placebo

The participants were elderly men and women, aged 70 to 82 years, and living in Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands. Approximately half of the study population had evidence of vascular disease and the other half were at high risk for vascular disease because of smoking, hypertension or diabetes. At the time of randomization, this group was assigned the placebo on a double-blind basis.

Participants were reviewed every 3 months.

Compliance with the study medication was re-checked by pill counting, participants were counseled on healthy eating, details of any adverse events were recorded and concomitant medication was noted. Blood pressure, weight and vital signs were also recorded and a fasting venous blood sample was drawn for lipid and lipoprotein profiling, biochemistry and hematology safety checks.

At yearly inntervals, repeat tests of lipid and lipoprotein profiles, 12-lead electrocardiogram, and cognitive function and disability assessments were performed.