Repetitive health examinations as an intervention measure.

Abstract

A cohort of 107 men aged 51-53 years with borderline levels of blood pressure, serum cholesterol, or glucose tolerance was recruited from a general population in central Zagreb, Yugoslavia, and randomized into two groups; one was treated with drugs and the other observed in a similar fashion but not treated. Ninety-five men appeared regularly for the check-ups over a 2-year period. Levels of systolic blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose showed a substantial decrease over a period of 2 years in both treated and control groups. The possible effect of repeated check-ups and their implications are discussed.