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Lipid levels not adversely affected by stress during first-year medical residency
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American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists 20th Annual Meeting
SAN DIEGO — Despite drastic lifestyle changes in physical activity, diet, stress level and sleep habits that typically occur during the first year of internship, researchers for a new study found that first-year medical residents experienced significant decreases in total cholesterol, LDL and exercise units.
“The results of our study are unexpected and the opposite of our initial hypothesis,” according to Susan Delange, MD, and colleagues at Georgetown University. The researchers hypothesized that decreased physical activity, disrupted sleep habits, diet changes and increased stress levels would adversely affect cardiovascular risk factors in young physicians.
Instead, data indicate that after 1 year of internship total cholesterol decreased by 16 points (P=.0007) and LDL decreased by 10 points (P=.0172). The researchers also noted significant increases in stress level (P=.0082) and C-reactive protein. The amount of exercise among residents decreased by about half during the intern year (P<.001); however, the researchers said the participating interns may have underestimated the amount of physical exercise in a typical hospital workday, including stairs and walking. BMI and nutrition level were unchanged.
The study included 57 first-year medical residents recruited at Georgetown University Hospital. To examine changes in lipid levels during 1 year, the researchers used CARDIA questionnaires to assess self-reported sleep, stress, physical fitness and nutrition; performed fasting blood draws to measure HDL, LDL, total cholesterol and C-reactive protein; and measured each participant’s weight and BMI. Twenty-six residents (62% men) provided data at enrollment and at the end of the intern year.
“These results indicate that interns continue to have time to maintain a healthy lifestyle during residency,” the researchers concluded.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
For more information:
- Delange S. Abstract 400. Presented at: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists 20th Annual Meeting; April 13-17, 2011; San Diego.