Audit of dietary input into a hospital lipid clinic

Patients attending a lipid clinic demonstrated a fall in blood cholesterol level averaging 17% and a weight reduction averaging 3.2 kg (7.13 lbs) in the first 3 months after intensive dietary advice. The cost of maintaining a patient on diet and drugs was calculated to be approximately £601 year, compared with only £35 on diet alone. Of the £35, only £5.20 relates to dietetic costs which makes dietary therapy the most cost-effective part of the management of hypercholesterolaemia.