The SSA-profile, an instrument for assessment of subjective symptoms among hypertensives.

The SSA-profile is a specific, self-administered questionnaire for measurement of subjective symptoms in untreated and treated hypertensives. Forty-two of the most frequently occurring symptoms among untreated and treated hypertensives have been included. Based on factor analysis, 25 of the items combine into dimensions covering the areas Emotional distress, Gastro-intestinal symptoms, Peripheral vascular symptoms, Cardiac symptoms, Sex life and Dizziness. The reliability and circulatory of the questionnaire have been established. For improved sensitivity in detecting subjective symptoms and comparability of results obtained in different studies the use of the SSA-profile provide valuable information. The questionnaire has been shown capable of describing subjective symptoms among untreated hypertensives. Currently, the questionnaire is being used in evaluating subjective symptoms among patients treated with different classes of antihypertensive agents.