Family Function and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Low-Income Residents with Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Study in Central China

Abstract

Backgroud Family is the most important social support available to hypertensive patients, which may affect their health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and health outcomes. However, data on the relationship between family function and HRQOL among hypertensive residents are sparse, particularly for those low-income residents with hypertension. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of family function on physical and mental health among low-income residents with hypertension in Central China, and to explore the independent contributions of socio-demographic variables, health-related factors and family function to each domain of HRQOL. Methods This cross-sectional, community-based survey, studied 295 low-income residents with hypertension. Family function was measured using the Family APGAR Index (Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve). HRQOL was assessed using the SF-12 Questionnaire. Clustered multiple linear regressions were used to analyze the independent contributions of family function to each domain of HRQOL.Results 35.90% of low-income hypertensive residents had highly functional family. Multiple regression analyses showed that those with higher Family APGAR scores obtained higher general health (β=0.168, P=0.008), bodily pain(β=0.167, P=0.008), mental component summary (β=0.330, P<0.001), role limitations due to emotional problems (β=0.138, P=0.022), mental health (β=0.302, P<0.001), vitality (β=0.264, P<0.001), and social function (β=0.312, P<0.001) scores, whereas no independent contribution of family function to physical component summary was observed. On these subscales, the independent contributions of family function accounted for 15.75%, 14.29%, 39.63%, 5.47%, 94.67%, 51.92% and 57.58%, respectively (more than all socio-demographic and health-related variables in the MH, VT and SF domains). Conclusion Family function was significantly associated with HRQOL among low-income hypertensive residents. This relation holds for both mental component summary and each of its individual domains, as well as partial physical domains.