Nutrient intakes and dietary compliance in cardiac patients: 6-year follow-up

Changes in nutrient intakes which were recorded in the diets of cardiac patients at 1-year follow-up were maintained at 6-year follow-up, with the exception of fibre intake. Twenty-three patients, 60 per cent of the original study, were available for assessment at 6-year follow-up. The majority of these patients (74 per cent) had been classified as good compliers at 1-year follow-up. They had maintained the nutrient intakes observed at 1-year follow-up, except for fibre intake which had been reduced. Nutrient intakes of the small number of poor compliers (26 per cent) tended to deteriorate between 1- and 6-year follow-up. Body weight, which was reduced at 1-year follow-up, had increased to initial levels at 6-year follow-up for the total group. Poor compliers showed the greatest increase in weight. Serum cholesterol levels showed little change throughout the study for all patients. Compliance at 1-year follow-up appeared to determine compliance over the longer follow-up period for the study patients and especially for good compliers. More attention needs to be given to evaluating the factors which influence compliance, in particular dietary compliance.