Effectiveness of health checks conducted by nurses in primary care: final results of the OXCHECK study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of health checks, performed by nurses in primary care, in reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease and cancer. Design: Randomised controlled trial. Setting: Five urban general practices in Bedfordshire. Subjects: 2205 men and women who were randomly allocated a first health check in 1989-90 and a re-examination in 1992-3 (the intervention group); 1916 men and women who were randomly allocated an initial health check in 1992-3 (the control group). All subjects were aged 35-64 at recruitment in 1989. Main outcome measures: Serum total cholesterol concentration, blood pressure, body mass index, and smoking prevalence (with biochemical validation of cessation); self reported dietary, exercise, and alcohol habits. Results: Mean serum total cholesterol was 3.1% lower in the intervention group than controls (difference 0.19 mmol/l (95% confidence interval 0.12 to 0.26); in women it was 4.5% lower (P/=100 mm Hg or body mass index >/=30 kg/m². There was no significant difference between the two groups in prevalence of smoking or excessive alcohol use. Annual rechecks were no more effective than a single recheck at three years, but health checks led to a significant increase in visits to the nurse according to patients' degree of cardiovascular risk. Conclusions: The benefits of health checks were sustained over three years. The main effects were to promote dietary change and reduce cholesterol concentrations; small differences in blood pressure may have been attributable to accommodation to measurement. The benefits of systematic health promotion in primary care are real, but must be weighed against the costs in relation to other priorities. Key messages There is little effect on smoking or alcohol use, and more targeted approaches to modifying these behaviours may be appropriate Systematic implementation of health checks might lead to a reduction in risk of myocardial infarction among those who attend of about 5-15%; men, who are at higher risk, show less change than women Health checks consume substantial resources, and their effect is attenuated by non-attendance The benefits of health promotion through primary care must be weighed against their costs and in relation to other priorities