HYPERTENSION AND SICKNESS ABSENCE - THE ROLE OF PERCEIVED SYMPTOMS

The association between perceived symptoms and absenteeism was examine d in five groups of employed adults: normotensives, unaware hypertensi ves, aware and untreated hypertensives, aware and treated hypertensive s, and falsely aware normotensives. Aware hypertensives (untreated and treated) and falsely aware normotensives had a higher average of perc eived symptoms than normotensives, whereas unaware hypertensives had l ower. The absenteeism rate across the groups showed a similar pattern. A significant interaction of perceived symptoms by study group on abs enteeism was uncovered. Hypertensives and falsely aware normotensives who reported a low level of symptoms were not absent more than their n ormotensive counterparts, However, aware hypertensives and falsely awa re normotensives who perceived a high symptoms level showed higher abs enteeism than unaware hypertensives and normotensives with a similar l evel. This suggests that aware hypertensives have a greater tendency t han both normotensives and unaware hypertensives to equate their sympt oms with in health and to act accordingly. Special attention should be directed to aware hypertensives who perceive a threat to their health .