Akbar Azizi-Zeinalhajlou
1 
, Sarvin Sanaie
2, Fatemeh Jahanjoo
3, Zahra Parsian
4, Behnam Sadighi
5, Mehdi Shiri
6,7, Mark J.M. Sullman
8,9, Mostafa Araj-Khodaei
1* , Zahra Yousefi
10,11* 1 Research Center for Integrative Medicine in Aging, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
2 Neurosciences Research Center, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
3 Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research center, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
4 Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS TRUST, England, United Kingdom
5 Medicinal Plants Research Center, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
6 Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
7 Toxicology Research Center, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
8 Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
9 Department of Social Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
10 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
11 Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the relationship between depression/anxiety and hypertension (HTN) in a large population-based sample in Iran.
Design: A cross-sectional study.
Setting: Tabriz, the capital of East Azerbaijan province in northwest Iran.
Participants: A total of 1362 individuals were chosen from a representative sample of community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and above, residing in Tabriz. Participants were selected using the probability proportional to size sampling method.
Outcome measures: A structured survey was used to measure socio-demographic variables, along with the hospital anxiety and depression scale. Blood pressure (BP) was measured using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer.
Results: The results of a multiple logistic regression revealed that age (70-79 years old; P=0.01), employment status (housewives; P=0.02), level of education (illiterate; P<0.01), smoking status (having quit smoking; P<0.01), and depression (P=0.02) were related to HTN among these older adults.
Conclusions: These findings highlight the critical importance of integrating mental health assessments and interventions in HTN management and prevention strategies, particularly for older populations.