Partners in lowering cholesterol: comparison of a multidisciplinary educational program, monetary incentives, or usual care in the treatment of dyslipidemia identified among employees.

OBJECTIVE:

We sought to assess whether either a low-cost educational intervention or small monetary incentive is more effective than usual care in lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol among employees.

METHODS:

Employees with an LDL-C >130 mg/dL were eligible. After receiving on-line educational materials, subjects were assigned to three groups: group 1 received dollar 100 if they reduced their LDL-C by 15% within 6 months, group 2 participated in a multi-disciplinary educational program, and group 3 received no further intervention.

RESULTS:

In total, 171 employees participated. Baseline mean LDL-C was 156 mg/dL. Approximately 6 months after randomization, mean LDL-C was reduced 17.9 mg/dL (11.3%) in group 1, 17.9 mg/dL (11.5%) in group 2, and 5.5 mg/dL (3.5%) in group 3. Reductions in groups 1 and 2 were statistically superior to group 3 (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS:

Both an employer directed low-cost educational program and small monetary incentives similarly lowered LDL-C compared with usual care.