Development and validation of a self-scoring test for coronary heart disease risk

J Community Health. 1983 Fall;9(1):65-79. doi: 10.1007/BF01318934.

Abstract

Self-administered tests to assess an individual's coronary heart disease risk are common in the popular press. However, delusion and inaccuracy in self-scoring may impair their utility as educational tools. Self-assessment questions concerning dietary cholesterol, weight, cigarette smoking, and blood pressure were administered several days prior to risk measurement to 246 randomly selected adults aged twenty-five to sixty-four. A standard risk score combining measured blood pressure, cigarette smoking on blood cholesterol level was calculated for each participant using a multiple logistic equation. The self-scoring test was derived by multiple regression, using the standard risk score as the dependent variables and the self-assessment responses, age, and sex as independent variables. The multiple R2 of the resulting equation was 0.48. For 86 percent of the participants, the decile of self-assessed risk was within two deciles of the decile of risk calculated from logistic equation. We tested the validity of the self-scoring test in a separate and independent population (n-247) with comparable results. We conclude that the test indicated risk status and sources of elevated risk for many individuals. Such a test can be a valid health education tool.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Pressure
  • Body Weight
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Cholesterol, Dietary
  • Coronary Disease / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Health Education / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Minnesota
  • Risk
  • Self-Assessment*
  • Smoking

Substances

  • Cholesterol, Dietary
  • Cholesterol