LAUSR

Objective: The aim of our study was to estimate a gap between self-assessment and screening survey results among Armenian population with uncontrolled arterial hypertension (HT). Design and method: Cross-sectional survey conducted in Yerevan and 10 regions of Armenia. A multistage stratified random cluster sampling was used to include the individuals. Totally, 1561 individuals were included in the study. Previously trained general practitioners implemented a standardized questionnaire including demographic data and risk factor information. Physical examinations included blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric measurements. HT was defined as systolic and diastolic BP (SBP, DBP) levels equal or more 140/90mmHg, or self-reported treatment with antihypertensive medication. Results: According to the self-assessment data, the antihypertensive treatment resulted in decrease of BP up to target levels in 236 (77.6%) individuals, 5 (4.9%) were undecided and only 53 (17.4%) reported about the failure of the own BP control. Only 69 (22.7%) and 109 (35.9%) respondents with supposing controlled HT had controlled SBP and DBP levels accordingly. The controlled DBP indicators have been significantly higher than SBP ones in 16.9% and 11.9% of cases accordingly. There is a significant gap between BP regulation self-assessment and SBP, DBP screening indicators accordingly 41.5 and 32.1% among women receiving treatment. Among regularly treated patients a gap between BP regulation self-assessment and BP screening indicators was observed only in 50–64 age group with 26.4% systolic and 18.5% diastolic HT. There is a significant difference only in actual values of systolic (41.5%) and diastolic (26.7%) HT and self-evaluation divergence among respondents with obesity. A gap between self-assessment of respondents and higher levels of uncontrolled systolic and diastolic HT was obvious according to gender monitoring, meanwhile the mentioned indicators were significantly higher among women 42.6% vs. 12.7% and 23.1% vs. 8,4% accordingly. There was a 4.4% gap only for systolic HT among smokers. Alcohol abuse and excessive dietary salt consumption weren’t been determinants for evaluation of differences between the studied indicators. Conclusions: There is an obvious gap between indicators of self-reported and really screened cases for uncontrolled HT, which can be the basic and serious reason for ineffective control of BP in Armenian population.