Irina Kislaya1,2, Hanna Tolonen3, Ana Paula Rodrigues1, Marta Barreto1,2, Ana Paula Gil4, Vânia Gaio1,2, Sónia Namorado1,2, Ana João Santos1, Carlos Matias Dias1,2, Baltazar Nunes1,2. 1. Departamento de Epidemiologia, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, IP, Lisboa, Portugal. 2. Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal. 3. Department of Public Health Solutions, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland. 4. Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences (CICS.NOVA) NOVA School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare self-reported and examination-based prevalence of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia in Portugal in 2015 and to identify factors associated with the measurement error in self-reports. METHODS: We used data from the Portuguese National Health Examination Survey (n = 4911), that combines personal interview, blood collection and, physical examination. Sensitivity and specificity of self-reported hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were calculated. Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) of underreport of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia according to sex, age, socioeconomic status (education and income) and general practitioner (GP) consultation in the past year. RESULTS: Sensitivity of self-reports was 69.8% for hypertension and 38.2% for hypercholesterolemia. Underreport of hypertension was associated with male gender (PR = 1.54), lack of GP consultation (PR = 1.70) and being 25-44 years old (PR = 2.45) or 45-54 years old (PR = 2.37). Underreport of hypercholesterolemia was associated with lack of GP consultation (PR = 1.15), younger age (PR = 1.83 for 25-44 age group and PR = 1.52 for 45-54 age group), secondary (PR = 1.30) and higher (PR = 1.27) education. CONCLUSION: Self-reported data underestimate prevalence of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Magnitude of measurement error in self-reports varies by health conditions and population characteristics. Adding objective measurements to self-reported questionnaires improve data accuracy allowing better understanding of socioeconomic inequalities in health.
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare self-reported and examination-based prevalence of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia in Portugal in 2015 and to identify factors associated with the measurement error in self-reports. METHODS: We used data from the Portuguese National Health Examination Survey (n = 4911), that combines personal interview, blood collection and, physical examination. Sensitivity and specificity of self-reported hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were calculated. Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) of underreport of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia according to sex, age, socioeconomic status (education and income) and general practitioner (GP) consultation in the past year. RESULTS: Sensitivity of self-reports was 69.8% for hypertension and 38.2% for hypercholesterolemia. Underreport of hypertension was associated with male gender (PR = 1.54), lack of GP consultation (PR = 1.70) and being 25-44 years old (PR = 2.45) or 45-54 years old (PR = 2.37). Underreport of hypercholesterolemia was associated with lack of GP consultation (PR = 1.15), younger age (PR = 1.83 for 25-44 age group and PR = 1.52 for 45-54 age group), secondary (PR = 1.30) and higher (PR = 1.27) education. CONCLUSION: Self-reported data underestimate prevalence of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Magnitude of measurement error in self-reports varies by health conditions and population characteristics. Adding objective measurements to self-reported questionnaires improve data accuracy allowing better understanding of socioeconomic inequalities in health.
Authors: Karri Suvila; Elizabeth L McCabe; Joao A C Lima; Jenni Aittokallio; Yuichiro Yano; Susan Cheng; Teemu J Niiranen Journal: Am J Hypertens Date: 2020-07-18 Impact factor: 2.689