Comparison of Examination-Based and Self-Reported Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease, Washington State, 2006–2007

Juliet Van Eenwyk, PhD; Lillian Bensley, PhD; Eric M. Ossiander, PhD; Karen Krueger, MBA, MN

Suggested citation for this article: Van Eenwyk J, Bensley L, Ossiander EM, Krueger K. Comparison of Examination-Based and Self-Reported Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease, Washington State, 2006–2007. Prev Chronic Dis 2012;9:110321. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd9.110321

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Release date: June 20, 2012; Expiration date: June 20, 2013

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

Compare self-report and examination-based data regarding obesity
Compare self-report and examination-based data regarding hypertension
Compare self-report and examination-based data regarding hyperlipidemia
Distinguish factors associated with undiagnosed hyperlipidemia

CME EDITOR
Ellen Taratus, Editor, Preventing Chronic Disease. Disclosure: Ellen Taratus has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
CME AUTHOR
Charles P. Vega, MD, Health Sciences Clinical Professor; Residency Director, Department of Family Medicine, University of California, Irvine. Disclosure: Charles P. Vega, MD has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
AUTHORS AND CREDENTIALS
Disclosures: Juliet Van Eenwyk, PhD; Lillian Bensley, PhD; Eric M. Ossiander, PhD; Karen Krueger, MBA, MN have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Affiliations: Juliet Van Eenwyk, PhD; Lillian Bensley, PhD; Eric M. Ossiander, PhD; Karen Krueger, MBA, MN, Washington State Department of Health, Olympia, Washington.

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Abstract

Introduction
Obesity, hypertension, and high cholesterol are risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which accounts for approximately 20% of deaths in Washington State. For most states, self-reports from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) provide the primary source of information on these risk factors. The objective of this study was to compare prevalence estimates of self-reported obesity, hypertension, and high cholesterol with examination-based measures of obesity, hypertension, and high-risk lipid profiles.
Methods
During 2006–2007, the Washington Adult Health Survey (WAHS) included self-reported and examination-based measures of a random sample of 672 Washington State residents aged 25 years or older. We compared WAHS examination-based measures with self-reported measures from WAHS and the 2007 Washington BRFSS (WA-BRFSS).
Results
The estimated prevalence of obesity from WA-BRFSS (27.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 26.3%–27.8%) was lower than estimates derived from WAHS physical measurements (39.2%; 95% CI, 33.6%–45.1%) (P < .001). Prevalence estimates of hypertension based on self-reports from WA-BRFSS (28.1%; 95% CI, 27.4%–28.8%) and WAHS (33.4%; 95% CI, 29.4%–37.7%) were similar to the examination-based estimate (29.4%; 95% CI, 25.8%–33.4%). Prevalence estimates of high cholesterol based on self-reports from WA-BRFSS (38.3%; 95% CI, 37.5%–39.2%) and WAHS (41.8%; 95% CI, 35.8%–48.1%) were similar; both were lower than the examination-based WAHS estimate of high-risk lipid profiles (59.2%; 95% CI, 54.2%–64.2%) (P < .001).
Conclusion
Self-reported heights and weights underestimate the prevalence of obesity. The prevalence of self-reported high cholesterol is significantly lower than the prevalence of high-risk lipid profiles. Periodic examination-based measurement provides perspective on routinely collected self-reports.