Abstract
To determine the accuracy of self-reported risk factors in 78 physicians, self-reported information was compared to findings on a standardized examination. Measured weight (r = 0.98), height (r = 0.95), body mass index (r = 0.96), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r = 0.72), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r = 0.60) were highly correlated with self-reported values (all P < 0.0001). Mean self-reported SBP and DBP did not differ from measured values and measured weight was 1.5 kg greater and measured height 1.4 cm less than self-reported values (both p < 0.0001). Regression of measured on self-reported values indicated excellent agreement except for DBP and heart rate. Differences between measured and self-reported values were not associated with a variety of variables except for a greater difference in SBP at higher levels of SBP. None of the 60 self-reported nonsmokers had expired carbon monoxide levels greater than 10 ppm. These results indicate that physicians'self-reports of height, body mass index, SBP, and smoking are extremely accurate and suitable for research purposes.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 442-447 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Annals of epidemiology |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1993 |
Keywords
- Validity
- blood pressure
- body weight
- physicians
- self-reports
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Epidemiology