Association between hypertension and quality of life in a sample of Iranian adults

Background - This study aimed to investigate the association between hypertension and health-related quality of life in a sample of Iranian adults. Methods - Samples were selected from the final phase of the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP). A structured interview was conducted using a standardized questionnaire to obtain information on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Subjects with a systolic blood pressure of >= 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of >= 90 mmHg or taking antihypertensive medication were regarded as hypertensive. Quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), Persian version. The chi square test, t test, ANOVA and MANOVA were used as appropriate. A multiple regression model was used to show association of blood pressure and QOL. Statistical analysis was performed with the Statistical Program for Social Sciences software (SPSS) version 15. All differences were considered statistically significant at P < 30.05. Results - Education, income, occupation and marital status were associated with hypertension. A negative association was observed between each domain of health-related QOL and systolic blood pressure after adjustment for socio-demographic variables. Increasing systolic blood pressure was associated with a lower score of health-related QOL. In contrast, diastolic blood pressure was positively associated with health-related QOL. Conclusion - Due to a lower health-related quality of life hypertensive patients need more attention from health care providers.