Work absenteeism and well-being in patients treated for hypertension

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of detection and treatment of hypertension on work absenteeism and other indicators of well-being. Because the study was performed as part of a trial comparing structured and regular hypertension care, we also analysed the impact of these different methods of organizing care. Matching for age and sex, three samples were drawn: one from regular medical care (N = 123) one from structured protocol care (N = 238) and one from normotensive subjects, aware of their blood pressure level (N = 128). Insurance data did not reveal any differences between the three groups in the amount of work absenteeism during a six-year period. Moreover, we found no short-term rise in work absenteeism during the first year after diagnosis. Finally, interviews failed to show significant differences between the three groups with respect to general satisfaction with life or other aspects of psychological well-being. We conclude that the patients treated for hypertension did not differ importantly from normotensive subjects with regard to illness-induced work absenteeism or other aspects of psychological well-being.