Patients attachment patterns and response to a program for alleviating cardiovascular risk factors: a 1-year follow-up of patients in a patient education program

Abstract

This study was a 1-year follow-up of 295 consecutive patients at a patient education centre and assessed how attachment style influenced the outcome of the patient education program devised for individuals with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The program consisted of a 4-week residential program course, followed by a 4-day follow-up course a year later. In our cohort study, the 295 consecutive patients (mean age=52 years, S.D.=9.2) with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease, showed an initial overall reduction of 4.4 kg in weight ( P=0.0001) and a reduction of 17/11 mm in systolic and diastolic blood pressure ( P=0.0001 and 0.0001). The weight remained essentially the same at the follow-up 1 year later, whereas blood pressure tended to return to previous level. The attachment style was determined by means of a questionnaire: 87% were classified as ‘secure’, 9% ‘avoidant’ and 5% as ‘ambivalent’. After 4 weeks, the ambivalent category had reduced weight (body mass index (BMI)) more than the secure group ( P=0.04). At the 1-year follow-up, the avoidant category showed a more pronounced reduction in diastolic blood pressure than the other groups ( P=0.001). Thus, it seems as if attachment style does have some influence on outcome. Patient education should take advantage of knowing patients’ attachment style.