Effects of a simplified programme for dietary treatment of hyperlipdaemia in primary health care

Abstract

Objective — To evaluate a model for dietary treatment of hyperlipidaemia in primary health care.

Design — The participating men received their initial dietary instructions from a dietitian, in a group, together with their wives. Thereafter the nurses used a checklist to evaluate dietary compliance throughout the year. The participants completed a simplified food frequency questionnaire six times during the study period.

Results — Throughout the year the total body weight, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio decreased significantly. HDL cholesterol was significantly increased after one year.

Setting — The Industrial Health Care Centre, Ovansiljans Företagshölsovård AB in Mora, Sweden.

Conclusion — A simplified model for treatment of hyperlipidaemic patients can improve the dietary habits in the long term.

Participants — 35 men, aged 39-63 years (mean 51), with hyperlipidaemia, discovered at a health survey of persons attending an industrial health care centre.

Key Words:

• dietary treatment
• dietitian
• hyperlipidaemia
• nurses
• primary health care