IBGE scales underreporting of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes

The National Health Survey (PNS) in 2013 will enable the Ministry of Health scale underreporting of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Data collection started today (12) at 80 000 Brazilian households. Respondents in original research that is being done by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) and the Ministry of Health, have blood pressure measurements and blood and urine collected.

At the same time, research will have a questionnaire that asks respondents whether they know if they suffer from any chronic. When comparing survey responses to test results, the Ministry of Health believes it can know how many people do not know they have a certain disease.

The pressure measurement may confirm the existence of hypertension. The urine test will measure the levels of sodium, potassium and creatinine, which will analyze the levels of salt in the body and the existence of any kidney problems.

With the blood collected will be performed cholesterol testing, dengue serology, complete blood count (which can detect anemia) and glycated hemoglobin (to detect diabetes). Already obesity will be assessed from measurements of weight, height and waist circumference.

In addition to the tests, the research will ask questions about the unprecedented lifestyle of the people (as the standard supply), whether the person has suffered prejudice in the health system and the presence of pets in the household.

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