Clinical effectiveness of care managers in collaborative care for patients with depression in Swedish primary health care: a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Depression is one of the leading causes of disability and affects 10-15% of the population. The majority of people with depressive symptoms seek care and are treated in primary care. Evidence internationally for high quality care supports collaborative care with a care manager. Our aim was to study clinical effectiveness of a care manager intervention in management of primary care patients with depression in Sweden. METHODS: In a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial 23 primary care centers (PCCs), urban and rural, included patients aged ≥ 18 years with a new (< 1 month) depression diagnosis. Intervention consisted of Care management including continuous contact between care manager and patient, a structured management plan, and behavioral activation, altogether around 6-7 contacts over 12 weeks. Control condition was care as usual (CAU). OUTCOME MEASURES: Depression symptoms (measured by Mongomery-Asberg depression score-self (MADRS-S) and BDI-II), quality of life (QoL) (EQ-5D), return to work and sick leave, service satisfaction, and antidepressant medication. Data were analyzed with the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: One hundred ninety two patients with depression at PCCs with care managers were allocated to the intervention group, and 184 patients at control PCCs were allocated to the control group. Mean depression score measured by MADRS-S was 2.17 lower in the intervention vs. the control group (95% CI [0.56; 3.79], p = 0.009) at 3 months and 2.27 lower (95% CI [0.59; 3.95], p = 0.008) at 6 months; corresponding BDI-II scores were 1.96 lower (95% CI [- 0.19; 4.11], p = 0.07) in the intervention vs. control group at 6 months. Remission was significantly higher in the intervention group at 6 months (61% vs. 47%, p = 0.006). QoL showed a steeper increase in the intervention group at 3 months (p = 0.01). During the first 3 months, return to work was significantly higher in the intervention vs. the control group. Patients in the intervention group were more consistently on antidepressant medication than patients in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Care managers for depression treatment have positive effects on depression course, return to work, remission frequency, antidepressant frequency, and quality of life compared to usual care and is valued by the patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Identifier: NCT02378272 . February 2, 2015. Retrospectively registered.

Long-term effects of Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for depression in primary care - the PRIM-NET controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) is recommended as an efficient treatment alternative for depression in primary care. However, only few previous studies have been conducted at primary care centers (PCCs). We evaluated long-term effects of ICBT treatment for depression compared to treatment as usual (TAU) in primary care settings. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Patients were enrolled at16 PCCs in south-west Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: Patients attending PCCs and diagnosed with depression (n = 90). INTERVENTIONS: Patients were assessed by a primary care psychologist/psychotherapist and randomized to ICBT or TAU. The ICBT included an ICBT program consisting of seven modules and weekly therapist e-mail or telephone support during the 3-month treatment period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Questionnaires on depressive symptoms (BDI-II), quality of life (EQ-5D) and psychological distress (GHQ-12) were administered at baseline, with follow-ups at 3, 6 and 12 months. Antidepressants and sedatives use, sick leave and PCC contacts were registered. RESULTS: Intra-individual change in depressive symptoms did not differ between the ICBT group and the TAU group during the treatment period or across the follow-up periods. At 3-month follow-up, significantly fewer patients in ICBT were on antidepressants. However, the difference leveled out at later follow-ups. There were no differences between the groups concerning psychological distress, sick leave or quality of life, except for a larger improvement in quality of life in the TAU group during the 0- to 6-month period. CONCLUSIONS: ICBT with weekly minimal therapist support in primary care can be equally effective as TAU among depressed patients also over a 12-month period. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in the Swedish Registry, researchweb.org, ID number 30511.

A primary care lifestyle programme suitable for socioeconomically vulnerable groups - an observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether a primary health care (PHC) health promotion programme reaches and engages socioeconomically vulnerable groups in a community to the same extent as higher socioeconomic groups. DESIGN: Comparison of level of engagement and lifestyle improvements stratified by socioeconomic vulnerability level. SETTING: Hisingen PHC catchment area (130,000 inhabitants) Gothenburg, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: Men and women aged 18-79, visiting any of the eight public PHC centres during an eight-month period 2007-2008, were presented with a short intervention health questionnaire and offered a health dialogue with a nurse, including a health profile, p-glucose and blood pressure check. Participants were classified according to four socioeconomic vulnerability factors: education, employment, ethnicity and living situation. RESULTS: Out of 3691 participants, 27% had low education (Hisingen community level 23%), 18% were unemployed (community level 22%), and 16% were born outside Scandinavia (community level 22%). At the one-year follow-up, 2121 (57%) attended. At baseline, 3% of the individuals in the sample had three out of four socioeconomic vulnerability factors, 17% had two vulnerability factors, 43% had one vulnerability factor, and 37% had no vulnerability factors. Improved biological markers were seen in all vulnerability groups (1-3) and odds ratios for improvement were significantly higher in the most socioeconomically vulnerable group for smoking and stress compared to the group with no vulnerability factors. CONCLUSION: Socioeconomically vulnerable groups were reached and lifestyle changes were accomplished to the same extent as in the higher socioeconomic groups in a PHC lifestyle intervention programme. KEY POINTS Primary care plays a major part in prevention of chronic diseases. However, non-pharmacological primary and secondary prevention is often less successful, especially concerning socioeconomically vulnerable groups. The health promoting intervention programme "Pro-Health" reached and engaged socioeconomically vulnerable groups. Participants from the socioeconomically vulnerable groups had comparable odds for lifestyle improvements after one year, compared to participants without vulnerability factors.

Laying the Groundwork: A Pilot Study Exploring Improved Endometriosis Management Strategies in Primary Healthcare.

Objective: To evaluate if a brief educational intervention for primary health care staff regarding endometriosis gives sustainable knowledge of endometriosis symptoms and if a brief questionnaire for women seeking care for common symptoms is feasible in the Swedish primary care context. Design: Pilot study. Setting: 3 primary care centres (PCCs) in Sweden. Exploring knowledge among staff about endometriosis at baseline and 3 months after an information workshop. Evaluation of feasibility of a brief questionnaire for women seeking care for common symptoms For PCC personnel: knowledge about endometriosis at baseline and after 3 months. For patient questionnaire: whether adequate, understandable, acceptable, and feasible. Participants: Females in primary care centre waiting room, and staff members at participating PCCs. Results: The knowledge level of endometriosis was improved or sustained after 3 months compared to baseline among staff at PCCs. Over 90% of the patients stated that the questionnaire was adequate, understandable, acceptable, and feasible. Conclusion: We found that an educational programme improved the staff's knowledge about endometriosis. The programme together with the patient questionnaire could be a way to enhance knowledge about endometriosis among PCCs. This combined effort might facilitate earlier detection and treatment of women with endometriosis.

Rehabilitation cooperation and person-centred dialogue meeting for patients sick-listed for common mental disorders: 12 months follow-up of sick leave days, symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and work ability - a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial from the CO-WORK-CARE project.

OBJECTIVES: To study whether early and enhanced cooperation within the primary care centres (PCC) combined with workplace cooperation via a person-centred employer dialogue meeting can reduce days on sick leave compared with usual care manager contact for patients on sick leave because of common mental disorders (CMD). Secondary aim: to study lapse of CMD symptoms, perceived Work Ability Index (WAI) and quality of life (QoL) during 12 months. DESIGN: Pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial, randomisation at PCC level. SETTING: 28 PCCs in Region Västra Götaland, Sweden, with care manager organisation. PARTICIPANTS: 30 PCCs were invited, 28 (93%) accepted invitation (14 intervention, 14 control) and recruited 341 patients newly sick-listed because of CMD (n=185 at intervention, n=156 at control PCCs). INTERVENTION: Complex intervention consisting of (1) early cooperation among general practitioner (GP), care manager and a rehabilitation coordinator, plus (2) a person-centred dialogue meeting between patient and employer within 3 months. CONTROL GROUP: regular contact with care manager. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 12 months net and gross number of sick leave days at group level. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: 12 months depression, anxiety, stress symptoms, perceived WAI and QoL (EuroQoL-5 Dimensional, EQ-5D). RESULTS: No significant differences were found between intervention and control groups concerning days of sick leave (intervention net days of sick leave mean 102.48 (SE 13.76) vs control 96.29 (SE 12.38) p=0.73), return to work (HR 0.881, 95% CI 0.688 to 1.128), or CMD symptoms, WAI or EQ-5D after 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: It is not possible to speed up CMD patients' return to work or to reduce sick leave time by early and enhanced coordination among GP, care manager and a rehabilitation coordinator, combined with early workplace contact over and above what 'usual' care manager contact during 3 months provides. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03250026.

Symptom patterns in patients newly sick listed for common mental disorders and associations with work-related and socioeconomic factors: a cross-sectional study in Swedish primary care.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine symptom patterns of depression, anxiety and stress-related mental disorders in newly sick listed due to common mental disorders in Swedish primary care patients and to examine associations with sick leave diagnosis, also in relation to socioeconomic, work-related and demographic factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Primary care in western Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: From a randomised controlled trial, patients aged 18-67, seeking primary care and on sick leave due to depression, anxiety and/or mental stress, in total 341 individuals, during 2018-2020. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Patterns of depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms measured via self-assessment questionnaires (Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale-Self (MADRS-S), General Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7), Karolinska Exhaustion Disorder Scale (KEDS)), sick leave diagnosis, perception of Work Ability Index and job strain via the job strain model. RESULTS: A combination of high levels of depressive and stress-related symptoms was more frequent than single symptom clusters among persons with common mental disorders (CMD) on sick leave: 7% of the patients had scores above cut-off for one of the instruments MADRS-S, GAD-7 and KEDS, 12% above cut-off for two and 80% had above cut-off for all three instruments. There was no significant association between low socioeconomic status, high-job strain or working in healthcare/education and having scores above cut-off level for two or more of the instruments. Only perception of own poor work ability showed association with having scores above cut-off level for all three of the assessment instruments of CMD (OR 9.45, 95% CI 2.41 to 37.04). CONCLUSION: The diagnosis on the sick certificate is not always congruent with the dominating symptom score level. In patients sick-leaved for CMDs, possible negative factors such as low socioeconomic status, low social support, high-work strain or working in healthcare/education sector did not show significant associations with self-assessment instruments of anxiety, depression and stress. Only patient's perception of own poor work ability was associated with high scores on all three domains. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03250026.

Clinical effectiveness of care managers in collaborative primary health care for patients with depression: 12- and 24-month follow-up of a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In previous studies, we investigated the effects of a care manager intervention for patients with depression treated in primary health care. At 6 months, care management improved depressive symptoms, remission, return to work, and adherence to anti-depressive medication more than care as usual. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term effectiveness of care management and usual care for primary care patients with depression on depressive symptoms, remission, quality of life, self-efficacy, confidence in care, and quality of care 12 and 24 months after the start of the intervention. METHODS: Cluster randomized controlled trial that included 23 primary care centers (11 intervention, 12 control) in the regions of Västra Götaland and Dalarna, Sweden. Patients ≥18 years with newly diagnosed mild to moderate depression (n = 376: 192 intervention, 184 control) were included. Patients at intervention centers co-developed a structured depression care plan with a care manager. Via 6 to 8 telephone contacts over 12 weeks, the care manager followed up symptoms and treatment, encouraged behavioral activation, provided education, and communicated with the patient's general practitioner as needed. Patients at control centers received usual care. Adjusted mixed model repeated measure analysis was conducted on data gathered at 12 and 24 months on depressive symptoms and remission (MADRS-S); quality of life (EQ5D); and self-efficacy, confidence in care, and quality of care (study-specific questionnaire). RESULTS: The intervention group had less severe depressive symptoms than the control group at 12 (P = 0.02) but not 24 months (P = 0.83). They reported higher quality of life at 12 (P = 0.01) but not 24 months (P = 0.88). Differences in remission and self-efficacy were not significant, but patients in the intervention group were more confident that they could get information (53% vs 38%; P = 0.02) and professional emotional support (51% vs 40%; P = 0.05) from the primary care center. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with depression who had a care manager maintained their 6-month improvements in symptoms at the 12- and 24-month follow-ups. Without a care manager, recovery could take up to 24 months. Patients with care managers also had significantly more confidence in primary care and belief in future support than controls. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02378272. Submitted 2/2/2015. Posted 4/3/2015.

Associations between antidepressant therapy, work ability, and sick leave for patients with common mental disorders within a two-year perspective - A longitudinal observational cohort study in Swedish primary care.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of patients are on sick leave because of common mental disorders (CMD), with or without antidepressant therapy. There is a lack of long-term follow-up studies in the primary care context, where most of the patients are treated. The importance of identifying potential factors associated with work ability for CMD patients is increasingly in focus. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between using antidepressants, sick leave duration, reported work ability and psychological symptoms among patients with CMD during a two-year observation period in the primary care context. METHODS: Longitudinal observational cohort study at 28 Primary Care Centers in Region Västra Götaland, Sweden, including 182 patients with an employment and on sick leave for CMD. The following outcomes were assessed: work ability measured with WAI, depressive symptoms with MADRS-S, anxiety symptoms with BAI, fatigue symptoms with KEDS, quality of life with EQ-5D, and days of sick leave. The data were compared between the groups that used and did not use antidepressants, during the 24-months observation period. RESULTS: Work ability and health-related quality of life increased over time in both groups. A steeper decrease of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms as well as an increased health-related quality of life at 3, 6 and 12 months was found in the group without antidepressants, although both groups levelled off at 24 months. In both groups, a higher work ability at baseline was associated with less two-year sick leave. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that a high work ability at baseline has a strong association with a lower total net and gross sick leave duration during the entire two-year follow-up period for patients with CMD in primary health care, irrespective of use of antidepressants. Using WAI in primary health care could therefore be helpful in predicting return to work. Use of antidepressants during the CMD episode could indicate initially a more pronounced overall symptom pattern, motivating introduction of antidepressants, rather than prolonging the sick leave period.

Correspondence Between the Neuropsychiatric Interview M.I.N.I. and the BDI-II and MADRS-S Self-Rating Instruments as Diagnostic Tools in Primary Care Patients with Depression.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correspondence between the diagnoses received by patients with symptoms of common mental disorder attending primary care, based on the diagnostic instrument International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) and the self-assessment instruments such as Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale - self-rating version (MADRS-S), respectively. DESIGN: Data were collected from a prospective observational study, ADAS, between 2014 and 2015. SETTING: Twenty-eight primary care centers in Region Västra Gotaland, Sweden. PATIENTS: A total of 192 patients, 18-60 years of age, on sick leave ≥14 days, with mild/moderate depression, anxiety syndrome, and stress-related mental illness were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores of the assessment instruments (BDI-II and MADRS-S) on inclusion, sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for BDI-II and MADRS-S, respectively, with M.I.N.I used as diagnostic instrument. RESULTS: Using M.I.N.I. as gold standard, the BDI-II and MADRS-S showed almost the same sensitivity (86.9% and 87.4%, respectively), but specificity for MADRS-S was doubled compared to BDI-II (36% and 18%, respectively). There was a significant association between MADRS-S and M.I.N.I. (p=0.027). However, the same analysis between BDI and M.I.N.I. was not statistically significant (p= 0.635). NPV and PPV were calculated from assumed prevalences (10% and 75%) and were higher for MADRS-S compared to BDI-II. The PPV differences were between 2% and 7% and NPV differences were between 3% and 19%. CONCLUSION: With M.I.N.I. as gold standard, MADRS-S performs better than BDI-II as a self-assessment tool in the primary care context for depression diagnostics.

Influence of antidepressant therapy on sick leave in primary care: ADAS, a comparative observational study.

BACKGROUND: Compared to other European countries, Sweden's yearly sick leave expenditures are moderate. Common mental disorders (CMD) are important causes of sick leave, affecting 10-15% of the adult population. A Swedish register based study indicates that antidepressant therapy for patients on long-term sick leave for CMD leads to longer sick leave and higher frequency of non-time-limited sickness compensation as compared to psychotherapy, work oriented rehabilitation, and other therapies. AIM: To verify if patients on antidepressant therapy and on long-term sick leave for depression, anxiety and stress-related mental disorders have a longer sick leave than patients treated with other therapies. METHOD: Prospective, observational study at 28 primary health care centers in the Region Västra Götaland, Sweden, including 192 patients on sick leave for CMD. Outcome measures were gross and net sick leave days. INTERPRETATION: There were no significant differences in sick leave days (gross or net) due to CMD when comparing the patients treated and not treated with antidepressants during the 12 month observation period. The groups differed at baseline only concerning frequency of exhaustion disorder, with a higher frequency of exhaustion disorder in the group without antidepressants. Analysis of other possible factors associated with shorter or longer sick leave only showed associations with the patient's own perception of possibility of returning to work in near and distant future. An important factor associated with longer sick leave was the patient's own perception of possibility of return to present workplace. As CMD are important causes of sick leave and sick leave costs, this factor should be highlighted in future research on the rehabilitation process.

The impact of internet-based cognitive behavior therapy on work ability in patients with depression - a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to investigate the effects of internet-based cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) treatment for depression compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU) on improving work ability and quality of life in patients with mild-to-moderate depression. We also examined whether patients treated with ICBT returned to work more rapidly, that is, had fewer days of sick leave, than patients treated with TAU. DESIGN: This study is based on material from the PRIM-NET RCT that took place between 2010 and 2013. SETTING: Primary care centers in Region Vastra Gotaland, Sweden, population about 1.6 million. PATIENTS: A total of 77 patients with depression randomized to either ICBT (46 patients) or TAU (31 patients). Mean age of participants was 35.8 years, and 67.5% were women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Work ability was measured with the Work Ability Index, depressive symptoms with Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale - self-rating version (MADRS-S), quality of life with EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D), and number of sick leave days. RESULTS: Both groups showed an association between improved work ability and reduction of depressive symptoms and between improved work ability and better quality of life. ICBT could not be shown to improve work ability more than TAU among patients with mild-to-moderate depression. There were no differences between the groups concerning number of patients with sick leave or number of sick leave days. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that a high level of work ability has an association with high health-related quality of life in patients with mild-to-moderate depression, whether they are treated with ICBT or TAU. ICBT has previously been found to be cost-effective and can be seen as a good alternative to TAU. In addition to the ICBT, an intervention oriented toward the work place might improve work ability and reduce the number of sick leave days among patients with depression.

Comparison Between the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale-Self and the Beck Depression Inventory II in Primary Care.

OBJECTIVE: The Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale-Self (MADRS-S) and the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) are commonly used self-assessment instruments for screening and diagnosis of depression. The BDI-II has 21 items and the MADRS-S has 9 items. These instruments have been tested with psychiatric inpatients but not in outpatient primary care, where most patients with symptoms of depression initially seek treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare these 2 instruments in the primary care setting. METHOD: Data were collected from 2 primary care randomized controlled trials that were performed from 2010 to 2013 in Sweden: the Primary Care Self-Assessment MADRS-S Study and Primary Care Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Study. There were 146 patients (73 patients each from both trials) who had newly diagnosed mild or moderate depression (per DSM-IV recommendations) and who had assessment with both the MADRS-S and BDI-II at primary care centers. Comparability and reliability of the instruments were estimated by Pearson product moment correlation and Cronbach α. RESULTS: A good correlation was observed between the 2 instruments: 0.66 and 0.62 in the 2 study cohorts. The reliability within the 2 study cohorts was good for both MADRS-S (Cronbach α: 0.76 for both cohorts) and BDI-II items (Cronbach α: 0.88 and 0.85). CONCLUSIONS: The 2 instruments showed good comparability and reliability for low, middle, and high total depression scores. The MADRS-S may be used as a rapid, easily administered, and inexpensive tool in primary care and has results comparable to the BDI-II in all domains.

Stroke incidence and association with risk factors in women: a 32-year follow-up of the Prospective Population Study of Women in Gothenburg.

OBJECTIVE: To study stroke incidence among women over 32 years of age with a focus on subdividing by stroke type, to consolidate end points and associations with risk factors. DESIGN: Prospective population study initiated in 1968-1969 with follow-ups in 1974, 1980, 1992 and 2001. SETTING: Gothenburg, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 1462 women from five age strata examined in 1968-1969, representative of women in the general population. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Main types of first-ever stroke and fatal stroke during 1968-2001 identified and validated. Stroke incidence rates in different age strata. Association with baseline smoking, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio, hypertension, serum lipids, physical inactivity, perceived mental stress and education. Associations with atrial fibrillation (AF), diabetes, baseline hypertension and myocardial infarction (MI). Blood pressure (BP) levels 1-3, corresponding to modern guidelines, in relation to stroke risk. RESULTS: 184 (12.6%) cases of first-ever stroke, 33 (18%) of them fatal. Validation reduced unspecified stroke diagnoses from 37% to 11%. Age-standardised incidence rate per 100,000 person-years was 448. A multivariate model showed a significant association between ischaemic stroke and high BMI: HR 1.07 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.12), smoking 1.78 (1.23 to 2.57) and low education 1.17 (1.01 to 1.35). Significant association was seen between haemorrhagic stroke and, besides age, physical inactivity 2.18 (1.04 to 4.58) and for total stroke also hypertension 1.45 (1.02 to 2.08). Survival analysis showed a significantly increased risk of stroke in participants with diabetes (p<0.001), AF (p<0.001) and hypertension (p=0.001), but not MI. Stroke risk increased with increasing BP levels but was already seen for diastolic pressure grade 1 and particularly when combined with systolic BP grade 1; 1.62 (1.17 to 2.25). CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension, smoking, AF, diabetes and high BMI were associated with increased stroke risk. Low education was associated with stroke. Validation of National Patient Registry diagnoses to increase specified diagnoses improved data quality.

Implementation of a low-budget, lifestyle-improvement method in an ordinary primary healthcare setting: a stepwise intervention study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, in an ordinary primary healthcare setting, the effects of a screening questionnaire and a self-administered health profile dealing with special reference to the involvement of motivated individuals in need of lifestyle changes. DESIGN: Intervention study in a naturalistic context, using a screening questionnaire offered to consecutive patients, followed by a self-administered health profile and a health dialogue. SETTING: Hisingen primary healthcare area (130 033 inhabitants), Gothenburg, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: Men and women aged between 18 and 79, visiting any of the eight public primary healthcare centres (PCC) during an 8-month period, were presented with a screening questionnaire and, were offered, a health profile, a plasma glucose (p-glucose), blood pressure check and a health dialogue. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Motivation level, negative lifestyle factors in screening questionnaire and intraindividual changes in blood pressure, p-glucose, body mass index (BMI) and lifestyle factors between baseline and 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Subjects with less favourable lifestyle and higher motivation chose to participate. A higher percentage of presumptive participants reported a less favourable lifestyle. The presumptive participants also indicated higher motivation. Participants showed more readiness to initiate lifestyle changes compared to non-participants (p<0.001). At 1-year follow-up significant reductions in BMI, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio (WHR), blood pressure and p-glucose were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the method is on target and applicable to motivated individuals with a 'risk profile'. A pedagogical model including a self-administered health-profile and a health dialogue, combined with emphasising the individual's own resources, seems to be a feasible method for effective preventive work in primary healthcare.

Effects of leisure-time physical activity on well-being among women: a 32-year perspective.

AIMS: To explore potential effects of physical activity on well-being in a population study. Results are from baseline and 32-year follow-ups. METHODS: In a population study of 1462 women in five age strata cross-sectional and prospective analysis were carried out. Activity levels were divided into low, intermediate and high. Well-being was based on self-reported well-being using a Likert-type 7-point scale. RESULTS: Cross-sectional analysis showed strong associations between level of physical activity and well-being. The odds ratio (OR) for poor well-being in women with low physical activity compared with physically more active women was, when studied cross-sectionally, after 12 years in 1980-81 3.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.70-5.74, after 24 years in 1992-93 4.01, CI 2.61-6.17, and after 32 years in 2000-01 7.17, CI 3.56-14.44. Similar associations were observed when relating physical activity at baseline to subsequent well-being: after 12 years: OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.31-3.34, after 24 years: OR 2.74; 95% CI 1.56-4.83, and after 32 years: OR 1.49, 95% CI 0.77-2.88. There was a linear correlation between changes in the individual's physical activity level and her simultaneous changes in experience of well-being between 1980-81 and 1992-93 and between 1992-93 and 2000-01 as well as between 1980-81 and 2000-01. CONCLUSIONS: Strong associations were observed between leisure time physical activity level and reported experience of well-being cross-sectionally and prospectively. Well-being increased with concurrent changes in physical activity. Increased physical activity in sedentary individuals appears to promote not only health but also well-being.