Validity of self-reported diabetes in health interview surveys for measuring social inequalities in the prevalence of diabetes. Issue 7 (17th April 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Espelt, Albert; Goday, Alberto; Franch, Josep; Borrell, Carme
• Is Part Of: Journal of epidemiology and community health. Volume 66:Issue 7(2012)
• Page Start: e15
• Page End: e15
• Publication Date: 2011-04-17
• Subjects: Diabetes DI -- inequalities SI; Public health -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; 614.4
• DOI: 10.1136/jech.2010.112698
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-005X

Abstract

Abstract : Background: To analyse the validity of diabetes declarations in a health interview survey in order to evaluate the appropriateness of using health interview surveys to understand the relationship between diabetes and social groups. Methods: People with self-reported diabetes are those who report to have diabetes in the health survey. People with diabetes (gold standard) are those who were identified with fasting blood glucose level ≥126 mg/dl or those who were treated with oral antidiabetic drugs or insulin. Independent variables were educational level, social class and gender. The authors calculated sensitivity, specificity and κ coefficient. Results: The majority of indicators for evaluating the adequacy of using health interviews surveys to analyse inequalities in self-reported diabetes by social groups are good. The worst indicator was sensitivity, although it did not vary according to social groups. Conclusion: Health surveys are a good instrument to evaluate the social inequalities in the prevalence of diabetes.