[Psychosocial consequences of screening for microalbuminuria and for some other risk factors].
OBJECTIVE
Obtaining insight into the psychosocial consequences of a screening programme for the progression of heart, vessel and kidney damage.


METHODS
Questionnaire investigation.


METHODS
This study addressed participants in the 'Prevention of renal and vascular end-stage disease' (PREVEND) study, which included about 40,000 inhabitants of Groningen, the Netherlands, aged 28-75 years, who were asked to send in a vial with morning urine in order to detect microalbuminuria. People with microalbuminuria were invited to a general practitioners' laboratory to determine the risk factors: urinary protein concentration, blood pressure and blood cholesterol level. A questionnaire was sent to 335 participants of the screening who had received the screening results two weeks before.


RESULTS
The response rate was 75%. A minority of the respondents diagnosed with risk factors, expressed some concern. No influence on the wellbeing of this group of participants was established. Almost one-third of the respondents stated that they now 'lived according to healthier principles' because of the screening. On the other hand, there was a certain 'certificate of health effect': about half the smokers and the physically inactive saw the favourable screening result as a legitimation for their life style. An unfavourable screening result had led to additional medical consumption in almost half the respondents. The respondents appreciated the screening and especially the lower-educated had a very positive attitude towards early diagnosis in general.


CONCLUSIONS
The screening positives showed no diminished wellbeing; their health behaviour improved due to the screening and they had a higher medical consumption. About half the screening negatives regarded the results as a legitimation of their unhealthy life style.
Tijmstra
T
T
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, faculteit der Medische Wetenschappen, Disciplinegroep Gezondheidswetenschappen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen. t.tijmstra@med.rug.nl
Spijkers
W
W
Broer
J
J
Janssen
W M
WM
de Jong
P E
PE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012041:Regional Medical Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires