A practical intervention programme aimed at decreasing high serum cholesterol levels in primary care.
A practical, primary care based intervention programme which aimed to lower serum cholesterol in a large percentage of hypercholesterolaemic subjects in general practice is described. Intervention consisted of a 8-10 minute interview supplying oral and written diet counselling. The programme was tried in a kibbutz (agricultural settlement) with 93 adult members: 89 had their serum cholesterol determined, 35 of whom (39%) were hypercholesterolaemic--19 had borderline high cholesterol (5.2-6.2 mmol/l), 16 had definitely high cholesterol (greater than or equal to 6.2 mmol/l). Repeat blood samples were taken from 33 of the 35 hypercholesterolaemic patients 6-9 months after exposure to the intervention programme. The initial cholesterol level of the hypercholesterolaemic group was 6.31 +/- 0.2 mmol/l (mean +/- SE): at follow up it was 5.3 +/- 0.2 mmol/l (P less than 0.001), a decrease in serum cholesterol (mean 22.2 +/- 2.1%) being seen in 28 of 33 patients (84%). In 19 patients (58%) cholesterol dropped to normal values, and in six additional cases (18%) it fell to borderline values. These data suggest that high cholesterol levels in otherwise normal adults may be reduced with little effort by the primary care physician and nurse.
Yinnon
A M
AM
Kibbutz Kalia Medical Clinic, Jerusalem, Israel.
Blau
S
S
Sardas
A
A
D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling / Q000592:standards*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D015397:Program Evaluation