Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Risk Using Patient Navigators, Denver, Colorado, 2007-2009 || Preventing Chronic Disease: November 2011: 10_0282

 

Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Risk Using Patient Navigators, Denver, Colorado, 2007-2009

Judith C. Shlay, MD, MSPH; Beverly Barber, BSN; Theresa Mickiewicz, MSPH; Moises Maravi, MS; Jodi Drisko, MSPH; Raymond Estacio, MD; Gregory Gutierrez, MD; Christopher Urbina, MD, MPH

Suggested citation for this article: Shlay JC, Barber B, Mickiewicz T, Maravi M, Drisko J, Estacio R, et al. Reducing cardiovascular disease risk using patient navigators, Denver, Colorado, 2007-2009. Prev Chronic Dis 2011;8(6):A143. http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2011/nov/10_0282.htm. Accessed [date].

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Abstract

Introduction
Early identification of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is important to reach people in need of treatment. At-risk patients benefit from behavioral counseling in addition to medical therapy. The objective of this study was to determine whether enhanced counseling, using patient navigators trained to counsel patients on CVD risk-reduction strategies and facilitate patient access to community-based lifestyle-change services, reduced CVD risk among at-risk patients in a low-income population.
Methods
We compared clinical characteristics at baseline and 12-month follow-up among 340 intervention and 340 comparison patients from community health centers in Denver, Colorado, between March 2007 and June 2009; all patients had a Framingham risk score (FRS) greater or equal to 10% at baseline. The intervention consisted of patient-centered counseling by bilingual patient navigators. At baseline and at 6-month and 12-month follow-up, we assessed health behaviors of intervention participants. We used an intent-to-treat approach for all analyses and measured significant differences by χ² and t tests.
Results
We found significant differences in several clinical outcomes. At follow-up, the mean FRS was lower for the intervention group (mean FRS, 15%) than for the comparison group (mean FRS, 16%); total cholesterol was lower for the intervention group (mean total cholesterol, 183 mg/dL) than for the comparison group (mean total cholesterol, 197 mg/dL). Intervention participants reported significant improvements in some health behaviors at 12-month follow-up, especially nutrition-related behaviors. Behaviors related to tobacco use and cessation attempts did not improve.
Conclusion
Patient navigators may provide some benefit in reducing risk of CVD in a similar population.

full-text:
Preventing Chronic Disease: November 2011: 10_0282