Abstract 14777: Effectiveness of Virtual vs Face-to-Face Medical Nutrition Therapy in Patients With Hyperlipidemia

Abstract

Introduction: Medical nutrition therapy provided by registered dietician nutritionists (RDNs) is an effective therapy for treating lipid disorders. There has been a shift in practice for patients to receive nutrition counseling virtually rather than in-person. Hypothesis: We evaluated whether virtual nutrition visits are as effective as face-to-face (F2F) visits at reducing lipid levels. Methods: We performed an observational study of patients seen by a RDN as part of the University of Michigan Preventive Cardiology lipid management program from 3/31/2019 - 9/31/22. Lipid markers, including total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides (TG) were collected prior to meeting with an RDN and a median of 33 days later. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was calculated using the Sampson equation (patients with TG >800 mg/dL were excluded). We used a paired T-test to evaluate the mean difference in lipid marker pre-post visit. Linear regression was used to compare the impact of virtual and F2F nutrition visits. Results: 192 patients were included (41 virtual visits and 151 F2F visits). After a single virtual or F2F visit with an RDN, TC, LDL, and non-HDL decreased (all p-values <0.05, Figure). HDL decreased for F2F visits only. Change in TG was not significant for either group. There were no significant differences between virtual and F2F for changes in mean pre-post visit for any lipid markers (TC p=0.37, LDL p=0.54, non-HDL p=0.29, HDL p=0.72, TG p=0.67). Conclusions: Both virtual and face-to-face RDN visits lead to overall improvement in lipid profiles at post-visit follow-up. Telehealth is an effective way for patients to receive nutrition counseling and may help to overcome barriers in access to treatment for hyperlipidemia.