What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Hypertension (n=482). Primary outcome: Depression prevalence.

May 16, 2026Open Access

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

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to evaluate the levels of depression and quality of life among hypertensive patients in Madinah City, Saudi Arabia.

Key Result

Among hypertensive adults, 18.3% had depression, and higher depression scores significantly correlated with higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05).

Key Points

This study aims to evaluate the levels of depression and quality of life among hypertensive patients in Madinah City, Saudi Arabia.
Cross-sectional study conducted from October 2021 to July 2022.
482 adult hypertensive patients assessed using electronic questionnaires.
Validated Arabic versions of HADS and WHOQOL-BREF were employed for evaluation.
35.7% of participants showed borderline depression; 18.3% were clinically depressed.
Higher depression scores were associated with non-Saudi nationality, unemployment, and lower income (p < 0.05).
Positive correlation was found between HADS scores and blood pressure readings, while WHOQOL-BREF scores negatively correlated with blood pressure readings.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=482)

Structured PICO

Population

482 adult patients with hypertension in Madinah City, Saudi Arabia

Outcome

Depression and quality of life assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) scalepatient reported

Depression is prevalent among hypertensive patients and correlates with higher blood pressure, emphasizing the importance of mental health screening in hypertension management.

Abstract

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.