scholarly journals Implementation of a financially incentivized weight loss competition into an already established employee wellness program

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew M. Schramm ◽  
Kristen L. DiDonato ◽  
Justin R. May ◽  
D. Matthew Hartwig
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Employee Wellness ◽  
Wellness Program ◽  
Serum Triglycerides ◽  
Employee Wellness Program ◽  
Pharmacy Chain

Objective: To assess improvement in clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction of a financially incentivized weight loss competition adjunct to a currently established pharmacist-directed employee wellness program. Design: Retrospective, cohort, pilot study Setting: 6 independent community pharmacy chain locations, two long-term care pharmacies, and a pharmacy corporate office in northwest and central Missouri, from January 2013 to April 2013. Participants: 24 benefit-eligible patients employed by the self- insured pharmacy chain. Intervention: A financially incentivized weight loss competition focusing on healthy lifestyle practices was implemented at nine pharmacy locations over an eight week period. Main outcome measure(s): Change from baseline in mean total cholesterol, serum triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), weight, and body mass index (BMI). Patient satisfaction was also assessed after completion. Results:24 patients completed the competition. The average weight loss among all participants was 10 ± 7.3 pounds. A mean decrease in serum triglycerides was significant at 36.9 mg/dL per participant (p Conclusion: The implementation of a financially incentivized weight loss competition provided significant short-term weight loss to a patient population that was already enrolled in an established pharmacist-directed employee wellness program and had not shown clinical improvement prior to the intervention. Overall the patients were satisfied, felt healthier, and agreed to continue following the recommendations of the program.   Type: Original Research

scholarly journals Community Pharmacist-Provided Wellness and Monitoring Services in an Employee Wellness Program: A Four-Year Summary

Pharmacy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
Yifei Liu ◽  
Kendall D. Guthrie ◽  
Justin R. May ◽  
Kristen L. DiDonato
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Blood Pressure Monitoring ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Blood Glucose Monitoring ◽  
Employee Wellness ◽  
Wellness Program ◽  
Monitoring Group ◽  
Employee Wellness Program

Objective: To assess the clinical outcomes of participants of an employee wellness program during four years of service implementation. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at 15 independent community pharmacy chain locations in northwest and central Missouri. A total of 200 participants were enrolled in an employee wellness program, and the program included five monitoring groups—cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose, weight, and healthy participant groups. Participants selected a pharmacist wellness coordinator and wellness appointments were conducted, consisting of education, goal-setting, and monitoring through physical assessment and point of care testing. The primary outcome measures were total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC). The secondary outcome measures were the proportion of patients who achieved the clinical value goals at baseline versus 48 months. The primary outcome measures among data collection time points were compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests, and the secondary outcomes were compared between baseline and 48 months by Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests. One-way ANOVA post hoc tests were also performed using least significant difference, to further identify which time points differed from each other. Results: At baseline, there were 134 patients in the cholesterol monitoring group, 129 in the weight monitoring group, 117 in the blood pressure monitoring group, 46 in the blood glucose monitoring group, and 26 in the healthy participant monitoring group. For patients in the blood pressure monitoring group, compared with baseline, there was a significant decrease in DBP at months 12, 24, 36, and 48, and a significant increase in the proportion of patients achieving blood pressure goals at 48 months. For patients in the blood glucose monitoring group, compared with baseline, there was a significant decrease in FBG at months 12, 24, 36, and 48, and a significant increase in the proportion of patients achieving blood glucose goals at 48 months. Conclusions: Pharmacist-led wellness visits provided to employee wellness patients in a community pharmacy may lead to improvements in BP and FBG values.

Weight Loss Associated With Employee Income in an Incentivized Employee Wellness Program

2016 ◽  
Vol 58 (12) ◽  
pp. 1181-1184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer T. Fink ◽  
Jennifer Rich ◽  
David R. Smith ◽  
Maharaj Singh ◽  
Kelly Sutton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Employee Wellness ◽  
Wellness Program ◽  
Employee Wellness Program

scholarly journals Improved Cardiovascular Parameter With a Nutrient-Dense, Plant-Rich Diet-Style: A Patient Survey With Illustrative Cases

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 264-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Fuhrman ◽  
Michael Singer
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Serum Triglycerides

Background. The results presented from a practice survey include cases of interest, demonstrating improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors utilizing a Nutrient-Dense, Plant-Rich (NDPR) diet. It includes changes in weight, blood pressure, and lipids parameters derived from the survey and retrospective chart review. Methods. Practice records and interviews were used for case history descriptions. Participants’ data were collected via an online survey. Results. Adherence to a NDPR dietary protocol resulted in reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and serum triglycerides. Compliance of greater than 80% with the target diet resulted in an average sustained weight loss of over 50 pounds in 75 obese subjects. There was a corresponding average reduction of 27.8 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure for the 127 survey responders with untreated hypertension at baseline, and a 42.2 mg/dL average decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol for the 328 survey responders, not on cholesterol reducing medications. Conclusion. The outcomes from both the survey responders and cases demonstrate the potential for the NDPR dietary intervention to improve weight, blood pressure, lipids, and even reverse severe cardiovascular disease. Though this is a report of cases and self-reported benefits, it adds evidence to support the need for further studies investigating the potential of this dietary intervention.

Risk prediction for subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in rotational shift workers in the arctic

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
N Shurkevich ◽  
A Vetoshkin ◽  
L Gapon ◽  
A Simonyan ◽  
V Kuznetsov
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Cardiovascular Events ◽  
Carotid Arteries ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Correct Prediction ◽  
Shift Workers

Abstract Introduction High prevalence of cardiovascular events at northern latitudes determines the necessity of studying mechanisms of formation and early diagnosis of atherosclerotic process. Purpose To determine the most unfavorable prognostic factors that provide the percentage of correct prediction and high accuracy in detection of atherosclerotic plaque (ASP) in common carotid arteries (CCA) in rotational shift workers in the Arctic. Methods Within 2010–2012 a study of 424 males aged 30–59 years at the medical unit “Gazprom dobycha Yamburg” (Yamburg settlement, 68°N) was performed. Patients were randomized into 2 groups according to blood pressure (BP). Gr.I included 294 people with BP more than 140/90 mmHg, arterial hypertension (AH) of 1,2 stage and Gr.II included 130 people with BP less than 140/90 mmHg. Groups did not differ in age (46.9±5.8 years, p=0.435); total work experience in the Arctic: 16.5±6.8 years (p=0.512) and rotational shiftwork duration: 12.5±4.6 years (p=0.597). Office BP was 149.4±13.3/97.1±7.3 mmHg in Gr.I and 123.4±7.5/80.5±5.5 mmHg in Gr.II. Ultrasound examination of carotid arteries with determination of presence or absence of ASP in CCA and estimation of stenosis using NASCET method were performed; ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was conducted; blood glucose levels, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol were determined. Statistical analysis was carried out using R (v. 3.6.1) programming language for statistical data processing of R Studio application package (v. 1.2.1335). Results Signs of CCA atherosclerosis were revealed in 56% of patients with AH and in 25% of those without AH. According to multivariate analysis, three variables with the most significant set of predictors, associated with ASP in CCA with the percentage of correct prediction of 75.9% were selected by step-by-step method: diastolic BP24 (<0.0001), glucose (0.0167) and cholesterol (0.0439). Based on the obtained model, it was concluded that 1 mmHg increase in diastolic BP24 increases the risk for developing ASP by 5.9%, Exp. (Beta) = 1.059, 1 mmol/l increase in glucose and cholesterol escalates the risk by 44.1% and 25.2%, respectively: Exp. (Beta) = 1.441 and Exp. (Beta) = 1.252. Conclusion The data obtained will improve accuracy for the early diagnosis of subclinical atherosclerosis of CCA, allow to prescribe lipid-lowering therapy timely and reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in rotational shift workers in the Arctic. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

scholarly journals Normal Non-HDL Cholesterol, Low Total Cholesterol, and HDL Cholesterol Levels in Sickle Cell Disease Patients in the Steady State: A Case-Control Study of Tema Metropolis

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard K. D. Ephraim ◽  
Patrick Adu ◽  
Edem Ake ◽  
Hope Agbodzakey ◽  
Prince Adoba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Total Cholesterol ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background.Abnormal lipid homeostasis in sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by defects in plasma and erythrocyte lipids and may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study assessed the lipid profile and non-HDL cholesterol level of SCD patients.Methods.A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 50 SCD patients, in the steady state, aged 8–28 years, attending the SCD clinic, and 50 healthy volunteers between the ages of 8–38 years. Serum lipids were determined by enzymatic methods and non-HDL cholesterol calculated by this formula: non-HDL-C = TC-HDL-C.Results.Total cholesterol (TC) (p=0.001) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p<0.0001) were significantly decreased in cases compared to controls. The levels of non-HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) were similar among the participants. The levels of decrease in TC and HDL were associated with whether a patient was SCD-SS or SCD-SC. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were each significantly associated with increased VLDL [SBP,p=0.01, OR: 0.74 (CI: 0.6–0.93); DBP,p=0.023, OR: 1.45 (CI: 1.05–2.0)].Conclusion.Dyslipidemia is common among participants in this study. It was more pronounced in the SCD-SS than in SCD-SC. This dyslipidemia was associated with high VLDL as well as increased SBP and DBP.

Abstract 13170: Endothelial Function is Impaired in Relation to Alcohol Consumption in Men in a Large General Population

Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nozomu Oda ◽  
Yukihito Higashi ◽  
Masato Kajikawa ◽  
Tatsuya Maruhashi ◽  
Akimichi Iwamoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
General Population ◽  
Endothelial Function ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Adjusted Risk ◽  
Significant Difference

Introduction: Endothelial function is impaired in heavy or binge drinking. Heavy drinking should be a predictor of endothelial dysfunction. However, there is little information on the effects of dose-dependent alcohol consumption on endothelial function. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between alcohol consumption and endothelial function in a large general population. Methods and Results: We measured flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) in 2734 men who provided self-report about habitual alcohol intake. The subjects were divided into five groups by alcohol consumption: none (0 g/week), light (0 g/week< to ≤140 g/week), moderate (140 g/week< to ≤280 g/week), heavy (280 g/week< to ≤420 g/week), and excessive (420 g/week<). Age, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, uric acid, plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and current smoking were significantly correlated with alcohol consumption. FMD showed a gradual decrease according to increased alcohol consumption (none, 6.6±3.4%; light, 6.2±3.0%; moderate, 6.0±3.0%; heavy, 5.5±2.9%; excessive, 5.3±3.0%; P<0.01). There was a significant difference in FMD between the non-drinker group and the light drinker group (P=0.018). After adjusted risk factors, we showed the significantly smaller FMD in the 4 drinker groups than in the non-drinker group: light drinker group (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.75), moderate drinker group (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.82), heavy drinker group (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.46 to 2.87), excessive drinker group (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.43 to 2.89). Conclusions: These findings suggest that even light alcohol consumption impair the endothelial function. Alcohol drinking may be harmful for vascular function.

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