INFLUENCE OF DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF HYPERTENSIVE
PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE FACILITY IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
CHIOMA CATHERINE IDOKO1, *., PAUL OTOR ONAH2
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, University of Benin, Benin, Edo State, Nigeria.
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 13(1): 188-197 (2021)
ABSTRACT
The quality of life of patients living with long term hypertension has been a matter of concern to clinicians. The relationship between hypertension and quality of life has received several reviews all of which indicated that individuals living with hypertension generally have lower health related quality of life [HRQol] compared to normotensive individuals. Literature evidence indicates that HRQol is influenced by multiple patient specific variables, however, studies in resource limited settings on the subject is rather scanty. The study was a prospective observational study involving a cohort of hypertensive patients on different antihypertensive regimens. Patients who met eligibility criteria and consented to participate were enrolled and followed up for six months. Data was collected using SF-12 questionnaire on enrollment, three and at sixth month. The quality of life was calculated using standard procedure and influence of demographic variables on HRQol was determined with Student t test and One-way ANOVA. P values ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The HRQol was generally below average for most patients, while body mass index [BMI], educational status, occupation and physical exercise significantly reduce perceived quality of life of [P = < 0.001]. The influence of demographic variables on HRQol vary widely between studies reflecting the diverse study populations and settings. Low quality of life of patients on antihypertensive therapy remain an ongoing challenge that should receive attention of providers. HRQol assessment is a critical component of sustaining medication adherence, management of side effects and perception of overall wellbeing among patients.
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KEYWORDS: Hypertension; SF-12; HRQol; Demographic variables; Pharmacotherapy.