2019 Volume 33 Issue 5 Pages 683-693
Objective: To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of Specific Health Guidance, we investigated its improving effect on lab test values up to 6 years later.
Methods: In the period 2008 – 2010, 2,152 people receiving active support were designated as an intervention group, and 6,523 people not receiving active support as a control group. Covariate adjustment by propensity score matching was carried out, matching 1 person in the intervention group with 2 in the control group, and the improving effect on lab test values for persons receiving active support was examined. The effect of weight change after 1 year was verified, stratifying the intervention group into to 6 subgroups by weight change: 1% or more increase, ± 1% or less, 1 – 2% decrease, 3 – 4% decrease, 5 – 6% decrease, 7% or greater decrease.
Results: Significant improvements in body weight, abdominal circumference, blood pressure, FPG, HbA1c and triglyceride were maintained over 6 years. Also, a significant improvement in HDL-C was maintained over 5 years, in ALT over 4 years, in γ-GTP over 3 years, in AST over 2 years and in LDL-C after 1 year. Regarding weight loss after 1 year, in a subgroup with a 3 – 4% decrease in weight, a significant improvement in lab test values was achieved and continued until 1-2 years later. A subgroup with a 5 – 6% decrease achieved a significant improvement in lab test values lasting 3 – 4 years and one with a 7% or greater decrease a significant improvement lasting 5 – 6 years.
Conclusion:The duration of the improving effect differed depending on the lab test parameter and it was found that with a greater weight loss, the duration of the improving effect was longer.
