Validity of self-reported hypertension and its determinants (the Bambui study)

Objective Assessing the validity of self-reported hypertension and its determinants among adults living in the community was the objective of this study. Methods A simple random sample of residents in the city of Bambui, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil aged greater than or equal to18 years was selected. Three blood pressure measurements were performed in 970 inhabitants. Sensitivity, specificity as well as positive and negative predictive values of self-reported hypertension were assessed in relation to hypertension (mean blood pressure greater than or equal to90 or greater than or equal to140 mm Hg and/or present use of anti-hypertensive drugs). Results Sensibility and specificity of self-reported hypertension were 72.1% (95% CI: 69.3-75.0) and 86.4% (95% CI: 84.3-88.6), respectively. Its prevalence was 27.2% (95% CI: 24.4-30.1), being reasonably similar to the prevalence of hypertension (23.3%; 95% CI 20.7-26.1%). The validity of self-reported hypertension was higher among women, among individuals aged 40-59 and greater than or equal to60 years, among those who visited a doctor more recently (< two years) and among those with higher body mass index (greater than or equal to25 kg/m(2)). Conclusions The results of this study show that self-reported hypertension is an appropriate indicator of hypertension prevalence, even in a population not living in a large urban center.