Long-term improvement of hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity by convalescent care in a rehabilitation unit - Results of a follow-up observation of patients over a three-year period

After an impatient convalescence, arterial hypertension remained reduced by an average of 20 mmHg for systolic hypertension and 10 mmHg for diastolic hypertension even 34 months later. This long-term reduction in blood pressure is already evident during the first year after discharge and persisted at a constant level. In the samples of patients investigated the levels of cholesterin, triglycerides, LDL and the cholesterin-HDL-quotient are significantly lower 34 months after convalescence had been completed than at the beginning of the period or rehabilitation. In dependence on the parameter, 60-100% of the patients show this improvement in the results; the long-term reduction of the original figures in percentage terms is 12.3-6.0%, in dependence on the parameter. 20% of the obese patients investigated achieved a long-term normal weight. The average body weight of all patients investigated was significantly lower, by 3.4 kg, 34 months after convalescence had been completed than at the beginning of the period of rehabilitation - a reduction of the weight surplus by 6%. The proportion of patients whose body-weight remained on the long run below than at the beginning of the period of rehabilitation was 70%; on an average, in this subgroup, the longterm weight reduction is 4.9 kg, i.e. 7.1%. 35.4% of these patients continued reducing their body-weights after discharge from convalescence under home conditions, so that an overall long-term weight reduction of 13.5 kg, i.e. 12.4% is achieved. With regard to all the risk factors investigated, these positive changes took place almost irrespective of any drug treatment. The results described show that a period of residential convalescence is suitable for initiating a long-term improvement to existing risk factors over a period of three years. Therefore, a period of inpatient convalescence seems to be suitable for making a substantial long-term distribution for preventative healthcare and cost-saving.