Cholesterol reduction following health screening in general practice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate changes in plasma cholesterol following health screening and health discussions in general practice.


METHODS
Randomised prospective population-based study conducted over a period of 5 years.


METHODS
Primary care, all general practitioners (GPs) in a well-defined area.


METHODS
A random sample of inhabitants aged 30-49 years in January 1991, registered with a local GP was invited to participate. The participants (1507 persons, or 75.4% of the 2000 invited) were randomly allocated to two intervention groups and a control group.


METHODS
Plasma cholesterol, percentage of subjects with plasma cholesterol higher than 7 mmol/l.


RESULTS
After 5 years of intervention, plasma cholesterol in the whole population was significantly lower in the intervention groups compared to the control group. The decrease was most pronounced (0.5 mmol/l) in subjects at high cardiovascular risk. The percentage of high-risk individuals with a cholesterol level higher than 7 mmol/l was significantly lower in the intervention groups compared to the control group (9.8% vs 6.2%, p = 0.04), corresponding to a 37% reduction.


CONCLUSIONS
The study shows that the health checks had a measurable impact on plasma cholesterol levels, the most pronounced effect is seen among individuals at high cardiovascular risk.
Kanstrup
Helle
H
Department of General Practice, University of Aarhus, Denmark. H.Kanstrup@dadlnet.dk
Refsgaard
Jens
J
Engberg
Marianne
M
Lassen
Jens Flensted
JF
Larsen
Mogens Lytken
ML
Lauritzen
Torsten
T
D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011897:Random Allocation; D012307:Risk Factors
D002784:Cholesterol