The impact of hypertension and lifestyle practices on the health-related quality of life in Chinese patients with uncomplicated hypertension in primary care

Abstract

Introduction: The impact of hypertension (HT) and various lifestyle interventions on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among Chinese patients with uncomplicated HT was unclear. This study sought to examine the patterns of HRQOL and its associated factors, in particular modifiable factors, among Chinese primary care patients with uncomplicated HT compared to the local general population. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 583 Chinese patients with uncomplicated HT and without diabetes mellitus who were managed in public primary care clinics in Hong Kong was conducted between May 2013 and March 2014; all participants completed a telephone interview about their socio-demographic information, lifestyle practices and HRQOL using the Chinese (Hong Kong) Short Form-12 Health Survey version 2 (SF-12v2). Their clinical parameters and pharmacological treatment for hypertension were extracted from the clinical management system (CMS). Independent t-tests were performed to compare the mean SF-12v2 scores between HT patients and the general population. Multivariable linear regressions were used to identify the factors associated with better SF-12v2 physical (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores. Results: The physical and mental HRQOL of Chinese patients with uncomplicated HT were comparable to the age-gender matched Hong Kong general population. Regular exercise ≥120 minutes/week and lower body mass index were associated with better SF-12v2 PCS. Non-smokers, higher fruit/vegetables consumption (≥5 portions per day) and regular self-blood pressure monitoring (SBPM) were associated with better SF-12v2 MCS. Conclusions: Non-pharmacological interventions, including exercise, healthy diet, smoking cessation and SBPM should be reinforced in HT patients to promote HRQOL. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to reappraise the associations between various lifestyle interventions and the HRQOL of HT patients without complications and with different complications.