title: Health behavior modification after electron beam computed tomography and physician consultation.
abstract: This study aimed to determine whether participants reported altering health behaviors (physical activity, diet, and alcohol consumption) after seeing results from an electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) scan for coronary artery calcium and reviewing these results with a physician. Clinicians attempt to motivate patients to control cardiovascular risk factors by adopting healthy behaviors and reducing harmful actions. Asymptomatic patients (N = 510) were evaluated by EBCT for the extent of coronary artery calcium. Information pertaining to demographics, health history, and lifestyle/health behaviors was obtained from each participant at the time of the EBCT scan. Patients were given their numerical calcium score, shown images of their coronary arteries, and counseled by a physician for lifestyle and medical risk modification based on their coronary artery calcium score. Approximately 6 years after the scan, participants completed a follow-up questionnaire related to lifestyle modifications. In multivariable analysis, the presence and extent of coronary artery calcium was significantly associated with beneficial health behavior modifications. Specifically, the greater a patient's coronary artery calcium score, the more likely they were to report increasing exercise (odds ratio = 1.34, P = 0.02), changing diet (odds ratio = 1.40, P < 0.01), and changing alcohol intake (odds ratio = 1.46, P = 0.05). This study suggests that seeing and being counseled on the presence and extent of coronary artery calcium is significantly associated with behavior change.
authors.affiliation: Division of Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 8950 Villa La Jolla Drive, Suite A206, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. schwartj@rohan.sdsu.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Mathew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allison
authors.forename: C Michael
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology*; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium