title: Factors associated with anxiety among elderly hypertensive in primary care setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is increasing evidence showing that anxiety is associated with morbidity in the older age group. Factors contributing to anxiety may vary among different diseases and settings.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with anxiety symptoms among elderly hypertensive at the primary care level.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study and face-to-face interviews using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were conducted among elderly hypertensive.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean (SD) age of subjects was 68.8 (6.76) years and comprised of 49.5% and 50.5% of males and females, respectively. The majority of respondents were Malays (76.1%), followed by Chinese (14.3%), and Indians (9.5%). The mean (SD) duration of hypertension was 8.44 (7.29) years and the prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 13.3% (95% CI: 9.9, 16.7). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that elderly hypertensive with a past history of stroke (adjusted OR: 4.472; 95% CI: 1.754, 11.405; p = 0.002) and depression (adjusted OR: 3.715; 95% CI: 2.009, 6.872; p < 0.001) was significantly associated with the factors for anxiety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elderly hypertensive with a history of stroke and having depressive symptoms are susceptible to get the anxiety. Therefore, screenings of risk factors and early intervention may improve the quality of life among elderly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sungai Buloh Campus , Jalan Hospital, Sungai Buloh Selangor , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Zaliha
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: Mariam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohamad
authors.forename: Mohamad Rodi
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Isa
authors.forename: Mohd Ariff
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fadzil
authors.forename: Siti Munira
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Yassin
authors.forename: Khin Thuzar
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Mohamad Hariszamani Bin
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Abu Bakar
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Elderly; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; hypertensive; primary care