Abstract
Background
Monitoring of hypertension, based on self-report, has been performed in Brazil through VIGITEL. In view of the gaps about this problem in worker populations, these should be the targets of the expanded action of epidemiological diagnosis of hypertension.
Objective
To test the validity of hypertension self-report in comparison to blood pressure (BP) measurements.
Method
A cross-sectional study was conducted on a random sample of 1561 workers from a Judicial Service in Bahia. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were calculated for the hypertension self-report in comparison with direct BP measurement (reference). Hypertensive cases presented the mean of two BP measurements, with systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg, and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg and/or regular use of antihypertensive drugs.
Results
In a sample of 391 workers, there was a sensitivity of 66.4% (57.1-74.6%), a specificity of 87.9% (83.2-91.4%), a positive predictive value of 70.5% (61.1- 78.6%), a negative predictive value of 85.7% (80.9-89.4%), a positive and negative likelihood ratio of 5.5 (3.88-7.72) and 0.4 (0.30-0.49) respectively.
Conclusion
This study showed self-report as a valid measure to implement the epidemiological diagnosis of hypertension among workers, recommending its use. However, its validity depends on the previous diagnosis.
Keywords:
hypertension; self report; sensitivity and specificity; predictive value of tests; reproducibility of results
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