Sustained positive impact of a coronary rehabilitation programme on adherence to dietary recommendations

SummaryBackgroundNutrition has a major influence after coronary events but long-term adherence to dietary advice is poorly evaluated.AimTo evaluate if a cardiovascular rehabilitation programme including dietary counselling has a positive impact on adherence to dietary recommendations.MethodsTwo groups of coronary patients were compared in an observational non-randomized study. Group I included 32patients at the acute phase of a coronary syndrome and group II included 104patients between six months and three years after completing a cardiovascular rehabilitation programme. The evaluation was performed with (1) a validated 14-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), which gives scores for the consumption of saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), Ω-6 and Ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), fruits and vegetables, and a global cardiovascular protective dietary score; and (2) biological markers.ResultsSFA score was higher in group I vs II (7.4±2.8 vs 4.4±2.1, p<0.001) whereas Ω-3 PUFA (2.2±2.0 vs 4.7±2.1, p<0.001), fruit and vegetables score (3.3±1.4 vs 4.3±1.7, p=0.001) and global dietary score (−1.1±4.5 to 7.0±4.9, p<0.001) were higher in group II. The Ω-6:Ω-3 PUFA ratio was higher in group I (14.2±12.7 vs 6.3±5.4, p<0.001). Biological markers showed higher plasma contents of Ω-3 PUFA (4.05±1.70% vs 2.80±1.07%, p<0.001), folate (19.7±12.2nmol/L vs 13.0±5.0nmol/L, p<0.001) and vitamin C (7.60±3.99mg/L vs 4.18±3.46mg/L, p