Effect of Hypertension on the Health-related Quality of Life of People Living with Hypertension in Dschang, Cameroon: Comparative Analytical Cross-section

Hypertension has significant socioeconomic consequences and adversely affects the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of people living with hypertension. In Cameroon, although one-third of adults have hypertension, no study has previously examined its impact on the HRQoL of individuals. This study aimed to assess the effect of hypertension on the HRQoL of people living with hypertension followed up in three health facilities in the Dschang Health District. We carried out a comparative analytical cross-sectional study to compare people with a confirmed diagnosis of hypertension (exposed group) with age-, sex-, and location-matched participants without hypertension (unexposed group). Data were collected through face-to-face interviews via a standardized questionnaire including the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) to assess HRQoL. Data were analysed using SPSS software, and the significance threshold was set at 5%. Comparisons between the two groups were performed using multivariable linear regression for continuous HUI3 scores and logistic regression for binary HRQoL outcomes. A total of 196 participants were enrolled in this study, with 98 in each group. The median age of the subjects was 66 years (IQR: 60-73.25), and most of the participants were females (62.2%). Among chronic comorbidities, diabetes was significantly more common among participants with hypertension (OR = 30.961 [6.87-139.51], p value = 0.001). Compared with those without hypertension, people with hypertension had significantly poorer HRQoL (a difference of 0.2017 in the overall mean HUI score, p < 0.001), and this difference was more than 6 times greater than the clinically important difference of 0.03. Neither a longer duration of hypertension since diagnosis nor the overall burden of comorbidities was associated with a reduction in HRQoL. These findings underscore the importance of integrating routine HRQoL assessment and comprehensive management of hypertension into hypertension care programs. They also support continued investment in health promotion and primary prevention strategies aimed at reducing the burden of hypertension and diabetes in Cameroon and other low- and middle-income settings.