Assessment of Depression and Quality of Life among Hypertensive Patients in Madinah City, Saudi Arabia

Abstract Background: Hypertension is a global health problem. Studies show a relationship between hypertension, depression, and low quality of life. This study aimed to assess depression and quality of life among hypertensive patients in Madinah City, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients with hypertension in Madinah City between October 2021 and July 2022. Sociodemographic data, clinical history of hypertension, depression, and quality of life characteristics were collected using an electronic self-administered questionnaire. Validated Arabic versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) scale were used. Results: 482 hypertensive adults were included. 35.7% were borderline cases of depression, and 18.3% were depressed. Non-Saudi nationality, widowed, having a rented house, unemployed, having a monthly income <5000 SR, and living alone participants were associated with higher scores on (HADS) and lower scores on (WHOQOL-BREF) (p = <0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between the (HADS) scores and patients’ systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) last readings and the number of follow-ups last year (p = <0.05), a significant negative correlation between the WHOQOL-BREF score and patients’ systolic and diastolic BP last readings. Nationality, marital status, systolic hypertension and living condition were the predictors of (HADS) and (WHOQOL-BREF) scores. Conclusions: Depression was found in 18.3% of hypertensive patients. This suggests the importance of early detection of mental conditions in hypertensive patients to enable early interventions.