The Benefits of Patients’ Information regarding Dietary Habits before Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A 3- and 6-Month Follow-Up

Aim: To evaluate the benefits of counseling intervention related to dietary habits changes on patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Materials and Methods: A randomized counseling intervention study, with a 3- and 6-month follow-up was performed on 230 patients who underwent PCI. They were randomly allocated to the intervention (n = 93) or the control group (n = 137). A 3- and 6-month telephone follow-up was performed for dietary habits evaluation. Data analysis was performed by using the statistical package SPSS, ver. 20. Results: Compared with control group, intervention group had higher prevalence of hypertension, history of diabetes and dyslipidemias and history of acute myocardial infraction, with no statistical difference. Moreover, patients in control group were more likely to be ex-smokers (p = 0.01). Post hoc tests using the Bonferroni correction revealed that mean TCHOL concentration while patients admitted to hospital differed statistically significantly between the time points of 3 and 6 months (209 ± 67 mg/dl vs 174 ± 34 mg/dl vs 176 ± 36 mg/dl), p= 0.005 and p = 0.042 respectively. However, there was no statistical significant difference between 3 months and 6 months measurements. Mean glucose concentration while patients admitted to hospital differed statistically significantly between the time points of 3 and 6 months (108 ± 40 mg/dl vs 95 ± 21 mg/dl vs 95 ± 23 mg/dl), p =0.009 and p = 0.012 respectively. However, there was no significant statistical difference between 3 months and 6 months measurements, (p = 1.000). Conclusion: A nurse-led program regarding dietary habits modifications on patients undergoing PCI should be performed along with a long-term follow up after hospital discharge.