Gender Differences in the Risk Profile of Arterial Hypertension in the General Population With Family Stress in Russia/Siberia (Who Monica-Psychosocial Program)

Aim. To identify the impact of gender differences in family stress on the risk profle of arterial hypertension (AH) in the general population aged 25–64 years in Russia / Siberia. Methods. A random representative sample of the Novosibirsk population of both sexes aged 25–64 (men: n = 657, 44.3±0.4 years, response rate – 82.1%; women: n = 689, 45.4±0.4 years, response rate ‒ 72.5%) was screened in the WHO “MONICApsychosocial program” in 1994. The screening program included the collection of social and demographic data and assessment of family stress. 229 new cases of arterial hypertension in women and 46 cases in men have been determined within the 16-year follow-up. Results. Men (31.5%) had higher level of family stress in the general population aged 25–64, than women (20.9%). In the 16-year period, the risk of hypertension was higher in men (HR = 2.24) than women (HR = 1.39) exposed to family stress. After the adjustment to the social status and age, the risk of developing hypertension remained higher in men than in women (RR = 1.9 vs. HR = 1.37, respectively). Divorced and widowed men had the highest risk of arterial hypertension compared to women aged 45–54 years (HR = 12.7 vs. HR = 10.6 vs. HR = 2.86, respectively). Conclusion. Family stress is more common in men than in women. Risk of arterial hypertension is higher in men than in women who experienced family stress.