Health-Related Quality of Life in Young Adults with Hypertension: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Malaysia

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension in young adults is associated with a prolonged disease course and elevated lifetime cardiovascular risk, significantly affecting quality of life (QoL). Despite its growing prevalence and potential to affect multiple QoL dimensions, this relationship remains understudied in Malaysia. This study aimed to compare QoL between normotensive (NT) and hypertensive (HTN) young adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 124 participants (64 NT and 60 HTN) aged 18-39 years. QoL was assessed using the validated WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire across four domains: physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, and environmental satisfaction. Body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and sociodemographic data were also collected. RESULTS: The HTN group demonstrated significantly lower scores than the NT group in physical health (67.5±14.5 vs 73.67±15.5, p=0.024) and in environmental domains (71.0±12.4 vs 75.5±11.3, p=0.037). Waist-to-hip ratio was the only consistent factor across all QoL domains, showing significant negative associations with physical health (B=-33.920, p=0.025), psychological well-being (B=-27.444, p=0.049), social relationships (B=-35.662, p=0.048), and the environmental domain (B=-38.132, p = 0.001). Body mass index was negatively associated with physical health (B=-0.495, p=0.045), and employment status was significantly associated with psychological well-being (B=-7.931, p=0.022). CONCLUSION: Hypertension management in young adults should extend beyond blood pressure control to encompass broader QoL considerations, particularly addressing central obesity and psychosocial determinants of health.