Follow-up study of participants in an extensive health examination programme at a Swedish industry

Two years after an extensive health examination at a Swedish industry, a follow-up study was carried out in 110 employees (94% of those initially examined). The control included a history of the subject's health, a physical examination, an electrocardiogram, urine and faeces examinations and 16 chemical analyses of whole blood or serum. Except for repeat examinations of those who had had initial values outside reference values, most of the chemical analyses meant nothing, leading to unnecessary expense and possible risk of either worried or complacent participants. The history and physical and laboratory examinations, aimed at finding factors which can be improved by changing the life style seem to be most beneficial. It is concluded that extensive health examinations, including a large number of laboratory examinations which are carried out at many industries as a health control, should be critically evaluated at these industries.