Impact of short-duration lifestyle intervention in collaboration with general practitioners in patients with the metabolic syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
As the constantly progressing metabolic syndrome is accompanied by an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular complications, it is essential to take appropriate, non-pharmacological, cost-effective measures immediately after the diagnosis has been made. The purpose of our prospective, non-controlled, 6-month study was to determine the impact of lifestyle interventions involving patients' behaviour in collaboration with their general practitioners (GPs).


METHODS
We recruited 95 patients (46 men and 49 women, aged 45 to 60 years) who presented with the metabolic syndrome. Each patient received a copy of the national French recommendations (PNNS) leaflet, containing guidelines aimed to balance dietary intake and increase daily physical activity. Socioeconomic status was estimated using the EPICES score. Following a less than 1 hour face-to-face interventional session with each patient to present the lifestyle-modification goals, we contacted each patient's GP by phone to advise on measures to reinforce these lifestyle modifications.


RESULTS
The percentage of patients presenting with the metabolic syndrome decreased by 52.4% after 6 months. Hypertension, triglycerides and waist circumference decreased by 30.5, 29.3 and 22.0%, respectively, in the study patients. Rates of compliance to PNNS goals at the last follow-up versus baseline were: for drinks, 63.0% versus 22.2%; for sweet products, 91.4% versus 49.4%; for fat, 91.4% versus 80.3%; and for increased exercise, 26.9% versus 6.4%.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term, single lifestyle modifications targeting the metabolic syndrome in collaboration with GPs was effective in decreasing most of the parameters of the syndrome. However, no factors predictive of success were identified.
Bihan
H
H
Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolic Diseases, Avicenne Hospital, 93009 Bobigny cedex, France. helene.bihan@avc.aphp.fr
Takbou
K
K
Cohen
R
R
Michault
A
A
Boitou
F
F
Reach
G
G
Le Clésiau
H
H
D001794:Blood Pressure; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D015444:Exercise; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D010821:Physicians, Family