Doctor-patient communication on nutrition and the related secondary preventive behaviours

Doctor-patient relationship impacts on the compliance. For hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, overweight and obesity, our study’s aim was to analyse the associations between the quality of communication, evaluated in 2013, and patients’ adherence to their general practitioner (GP)’s nutritional advice, between 2008 and 2013.
Methods. Five years after a coronary angiography performed by the National Institute of Cardiac Surgery and Interventional Cardiology in Luxembourg, 4391 patients were contacted. 1289 completed a self-rating questionnaire assessing the GP’Com-5 items scale (Cronbach 0.87). The variables were analysed with a multiple logistic regression model.
Results. Patients declared that they reduced or stopped their consumption 71.9% of fat, 62.8% of sugar and 65% increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables. Around 37% of the patients reported having made changes to their risk behaviours following the advice of their doctor. An increased consumption of fruits and vegetables was linked with the quality of doctor-patient communication when patients were overweight (odd ratio = 1.081, IC 95%, [1.013-1.155]), obesity (OR = 1.130 [1.056-1.209]), hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.102 [1.033–1.175]) and diabetes (OR = 1.103 [1.029-1.181]). The reduction or cessation of sugar consumption was associated with the quality of physician-patient communication when the patient was overweight (OR = 1.093 [1.020-1.170]), and more so obese (OR = 1.106 [1.031-1.187]). The same held true for patients with hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.103 [1.031-1.180]) or diabetes (OR = 1.173 [1.088-1.265]).
Conclusion. In prevention of secondary CVDs, doctor-patient communication is a relevant determinant in obtaining a favourable behavioural outcome, especially with the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables.