REVEAL long-term study information for participants
What is the purpose of the REVEAL long-term study?
Having high levels of bad cholesterol is known to increase the chances of having a heart attack or stroke. Statins are an excellent way to lower bad cholesterol and prevent these conditions. Combining statins with a different type of drug, called CETP inhibitors, could protect people even more. The REVEAL trial showed that a CETP inhibitor called anacetrapib lowered the chance of having a heart attack by 9% in around 30,000 people with heart disease who were followed up for 4 years. When the trial ended in 2017, participants stopped taking anacetrapib but were followed up for another two years off-treatment (ending in 2019). This REVEAL ‘Post-Trial Follow-Up’ study found the benefits of anacetrapib on heart attacks increased, but doctors cannot prescribe the drug because it takes a long time to wash out of the body. New CETP inhibitors that are stronger and don’t stay in the body as long are still being developed.
The long-term study will extend the follow-up of around 8000 people who took part in REVEAL in the UK to 10 years (‘UK10FU’), and 20 years (‘UK20FU’). We will request participant data from UK health registries or NHS bodies from August 2011 (the start of the trial) until 2034 to see if taking anacetrapib previously, protects against heart attacks in the long-term. We will also see if it affects other conditions that we did not see during REVEAL because they usually take longer to appear, like cancers and dementia. We think this is important because it might change how scientists do trials of new CETP inhibitor drugs in the future.
New research is also exploring the potential of repurposing CETP inhibitors to treat some forms of dementia, diabetes and obesity. Therefore, two members of the study team will explore these effects further in fulfilment of the academic requirements for Doctor of Medicine or DPhil degrees.
The REVEAL trial and its sub-studies have been reviewed and approved by the South Central – Oxford B Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 10/H0605/83).
We have several similar studies (REVEAL, HPS, THRIVE, and SEARCH) with common aims. Due to the similarities between the studies and the participant cohorts, where any one study does not have enough data to be able to give a clear answer for a specific research question, we will perform meta-analyses. This means that we will combine data from all the studies and then analyse it to answer a common research question. All research will be in-line with the original study protocols, and will include methodology work.
Who is doing the study?
The study is being conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford, which acts as the sponsor for the research.
Who is being included in the study?
The study includes UK participants of the original REVEAL study who have consented to being followed up long-term.
What information do you hold about me?
Our data privacy notice gives details of what personal data we may hold about you, where it comes from, and how we will use it.
When will my participation finish?
Your participation by taking study treatment in REVEAL and completing the two-year post-trial follow-up study finished during 2019. The results of the main trial were published in 2017 and the results of the post-trial follow-up study were published in 2022. We are continuing to collect information as described about hospital admissions and other outcomes of interest from UK health registries and NHS bodies, which will allow us to compare the long-term effects of the study medications. This extended follow-up is planned to continue until 2034.
Data Flow Diagram
Study results
REVEAL results will be published in peer reviewed journals and presented at conferences. Individual participants will not be identified in any such publication or presentation. The REVEAL team will also post information about results on the study website.
How to opt out of the REVEAL Long-term Follow-up study
If you were a participant in the REVEAL main trial and you do not want your data to be included in the REVEAL Long-term Follow-up study you can opt out.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss your ongoing participation in this study, or if you would like to withdraw (opt out) from it.
Telephone: 0800 585323
Email us
Address: REVEAL, CTSU, Nuffield Department of Population Health, Richard Doll Building, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7LF
Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE)
If you were a participant in the REVEAL trial and would like to join the Oxford Population Health PPIE group we would love to hear from you. PPIE is very important for learning about the lived experience of our trial participants and providing feedback about new and ongoing research projects. The Oxford Population Health website gives more information on what this group does and how to get in touch.
Where to find out more about REVEAL
You can find more information about the REVEAL trial on our website including a publication list and details about how we protect your personal information and your rights as a study participant in the Privacy Notice.
REVEAL Information for participants, V1.1, 23 Jul-2025