Features of the interpretation of bodily sensations by patients with arterial hypertension

Introduction. The patient’s intolerance of uncertainty in a situation of chronic disease is associated with ineffective coping with it. The authors suggest that this may be manifested at the level of patient’s perception and interpretation of somatic sensations and non-adaptive actions associated with these interpretations. Objective. To study the features of perception and interpretation by the patient of own bodily (interoceptive) sensations at different levels of intolerance to the situation of uncertainty (situation of disease). Materials and methods. In the study performed on the basis of the NMRC for Therapy and Preventive Medicine in cardiology and therapeutic departments, 241 patients aged 26—92 years (mean value (μ) 65.61±11.81; median (Me) 67), including 146 women (60.6%) and 95 men (39.4%) with arterial hypertension of II—III severity degree and duration of the disease from 1 to 65 years (µ=14.05±13.02; ME=10), participated. «Selection of descriptors of interoceptive sensations» psychosemantic test (modification by Tkhostov, Nelyubina, 2013), scale of intolerance to uncertainty (in adap. by Tkhostov et al., 2022) were used. Results. Statistically significant differences between high and low intolerant to the uncertainty situation patients were identified. Easily tolerating uncertainty patients had a reduced bodily experience of the disease, which could lead to non-compliant behavior in the form of skipping drug administration and not seeking medical attention in a timely manner. Patients who do not tolerate a situation of uncertainty had an extended bodily experience of the disease, interpreting most bodily sensations as caused by the disease and dangerous for their life, which could lead to other forms of non-compliant behavior (in the form of frequent changes of doctors and treatment regimens, additional administration of hypotensive drugs, unmotivated substitution of one medication for another, repeated attempts to measure blood pressure in a short period of time, unconventional treatment methods, etc.). Conclusion. Differences in perception and interpretation of bodily sensations by patients with different levels of intolerance of uncertainty situation were identified. The results can be considered in developing psychoprophylactic programs (health schools) in order to increase adherence to therapy and improve patients’ quality of life.