[Follow-up on patients 4 years after a stay at the Centre for Lifestyle at Braedstrup Hospital].
BACKGROUND
There is a need to know what methods can be used in the treatment of life-style-related health problems. The aim of the study was to explore patients assessment of the benefits of a stay at the Centre for Lifestyle at Braedstrup Hospital.


METHODS
Patients referred to the centre had severe health problems related to unhealthy lifestyles. The treatment included 2x4-day stays and an out-patient follow-up day at 3-month intervals. In 2004, a questionnaire was sent to all patients who had a stay during the period 1999-2001, asking them to identify their benefits from the stay. The data were compared with similar data from the beginning of their stay.


RESULTS
A total of 410 patients had a referral due to cardiovascular (CVD) disease, diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 11 had died and 341 (85.5%) answered the questionnaire. Between 71-87% of the patients stated that their stay had made them improve their eating habits, increase their physical activity, change their lifestyle to the benefit of their health and had increased their motivation to change their lifestyle. About 60% reported better physical and mental health and increased quality of life. The proportion of patients with good or very good health had increased from 26-48%, and the proportion that more or less could do whatever they wanted to had increased from 39-47%. Their body mass index had decreased by an average of 1.6 kg/m2, corresponding to a weight loss of 6 kg (5.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with lifestyle-related health problems report and show a positive effect of a stay at the Centre for Lifestyle 4,5 years after referral.
Vedsted
Peter
P
Forskningsenheden for Almen Praksis i Arhus, Institut for Folkesundhed, Aarhus Universitet, Arhus C. p.vedsted@alm.au.dk
Christensen
Morten Bondo
MB
D000328:Adult; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires