Factors Associated With Health-Related Quality of Life among Hypertensive Patients in Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

IntroductionNepal has a high prevalence of hypertension. While improving the overall health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a central tenet to public health plans in developed nations, this focus has yet to be articulated in Nepal. Therefore, this study aims to identify the factors associated with HRQOL among hypertensive patients in Nepal.MethodThe EuroQol-5Dimension HRQOL survey was administered to 180 hypertensive patients, attending the outpatient clinic at Shahid Gangalal National Heart Center in Kathmandu, Nepal. Multiple linear regression models, adjusted for age and sex, were used to identify factors associated with HRQOL.ResultsThe mean age and EuroQol visual analytic scale of the participants were 53.2 years and 63.7, respectively. Age [β = −0.56; 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.75 to −0.37], income (β = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.03), family size (β = −0.98; 95% CI: −1.89, −0.07), number of antihypertensive drugs use (β = 4.62; 95% CI: 1.33, 7.90), and compliance to dietary salt advise (β = 4.86; 95% CI: 0.29, 9.43) were significant factors associated with HRQOL among participants. In addition, levels of education and self-perceived health were associated in a positive gradient to HRQOL. In mediation analysis, both, dietary low salt compliance and use of antihypertensive drugs, had a significant direct effect on HRQOL, and the use of antihypertensive drugs did not significantly mediate the relationship between dietary salt compliance and HRQOL.ConclusionVarious factors were found to be associated with HRQOL among hypertensive patients in Kathmandu. Assessing HRQOL is a valuable technique to identify populations in need of services and interventions. This assessment can serve as a baseline, and in conjunction with multiple stakeholders, can guide public health policy, planning, and practices, especially those aimed toward improving the HRQOL of Nepalese with hypertension.

Biosocial and disease conditions affecting the quality of life among older adults in Eastern Nepal

“…Thus, compared to Brahmin/Chettri/Thakur, which is considered as the upper caste, participant's from Indigenous, Dalit, and Madhesi/other ethnic groups had 75%, 77%, and 71% lower odds of having good QOL respectively. This is consistent with previous studies from Nepal, which have also suggested lower QOL scores among Dalits than the upper castes, although the findings were statistically nonsignificant [16,24]. Likewise, our finding aligns with the established notion that the Madhesi, Dalits,…”

“…Previous studies, from international settings, are in line with our findings [22,23]. Further, a gradient decline in the odds of poor QOL was noted by increasing age group which is in line with a previous study from Nepal where age was inversely associated with QOL [24]. The declining QOL with age is plausible, given that older adults are at increased risk of chronic diseases and infection [6,25].…”

Biosocial and disease conditions is associated with good quality of life among older adults in Eastern Nepal

“…Thus, compared to Brahmin/Chettri/Thakur, which is considered as the upper caste, participants from Indigenous, Dalit, and Madhesi/other ethnic groups had 75%, 77%, and 71% lower odds of having good QOL respectively. This is consistent with previous studies from Nepal, which have also suggested lower QOL scores among Dalits than the upper castes, although the findings were statistically nonsignificant 14,23 . Likewise, our finding aligns with the established notion that the Madhesi, Dalits, and Indigenous, being one of the marginalised groups, have poor outcomes in health and wellbeing, and socioeconomic status 40,41 .…”

“…Previous studies, from international settings, are in line with our findings 21,22 . Further, a gradient decline in the odds of poor QOL was noted by increasing age group which is in line with a previous study from Nepal where age was inversely associated with QOL 23 . The declining QOL with age is plausible, given that older adults are at increased risk of chronic diseases and infection 6,24 .…”

Pengukuran Kualitas Hidup Pasien Program Pengelolaan Penyakit Kronis (Prolanis) di Puskesmas Menggunakan Instrumen EQ-5D-5L

“…Hasil ini sejalan dengan penelitian yang Ana (2016) yang melakukan pengukuran HRQoL serupa pada pasien DM menggunakan instrumen EQ-5D, hasil menunjukan kebanyakan pasien mengalami permasalahan pada domain rasa sakit 9 . Begitupula pada pasien hipertensi penelitian Ghimire (2017) Tabel V menggambarkan nilai utility dan VAS pasien prolanis DM dan hipertensi yang diukur menggunakan instrumen EQ-5D-5L. Hasil temuan kami, nilai utility pasien DM (0,843±0,081) jauh lebih tinggi dibanding nilai utility pasien hipertensi (0,767±0,154).…”