Evaluation of the effect of periodic health examination in Samsun, Turkey

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of periodic health examination.

METHODS: The follow-up results of 2005-2006 of periodic health examination clinic of the Department of Family Medicine of Ondokuzmayis University Medical School were evaluated using a questionnaire and constant follow-up.

RESULTS: A total of 387 (195 women, 192 men) patients were provided a periodic health examination. In 186 patients, the total cholesterol values were high at the time of the first visit. The mean total cholesterol value was 241.97 ± 36.47 mg/dl (201 min - 489 max) in the first visit and 217.67 ± 33.64 mg/dl (155 min - 420 max) in last visits (p<0.001). Mean triglyceride values were 287.94 ± 82.60 mg/dl (202 min - 547 max) in the first visit while 231.60 ± 66.99 mg/dl (74.5 min - 450 max) in the last visits (p<0.001). Mean glucose values for the hyperglycemic patients were 150.37 ± 56.85 (111 min - 400 max) in the first visit and 125.79 ± 32.49 (68 min - 239 max) in the last visits (p<0.001). Of the total group, 140 (36.18%) patients had high blood pressure values at the first visit, 90 (64.29%) of them were normotensive at the last visit. Mean blood pressure values of the hypertensive patients were 152.13 ± 19.04/ 93.98 ± 8.78 mmHg in the first visit and 136.18 ± 15.91/ 86.97 ± 18.62 mmHg in the last visits (p<0.001). Of the 135 current smokers, 7 (5.2%) patients quit. Regarding all lifestyle changes, 201 (51.94%) patients had an overall note as acceptable, good or excellent.

CONCLUSION: Significant improvement was found in more than half of the patients.