Hypertension is associated with joint pain severity among individuals with osteoarthritis

• Published in: Pain management nursing 2023-10, Vol.24 (5), p.e97-e101
• Main Authors: Alenazi, Aqeel M, Alkhathami, Khalid M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: arthritis; high blood pressure; hypertensives; pain intensity
• ISSN: 1524-9042; 1532-8635
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2023.07.005

Previous studies have reported an association between hypertension (HTN) and osteoarthritis (OA). However, limited research has examined the association between HTN and symptoms such as pain severity in people with OA. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the prevalence of HTN in individuals with OA and the association between HTN and pain severity in this population. This study is A cross-sectional study included participants aged 50 years and older from the community. Demographic data were included and self-reported history of chronic illnesses including diabetes, HTN, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, anemia, osteoporosis, neurological disease, and back pain were obtained. A number of medications and chronic diseases were included. A subsample of people who self-reported osteoarthritis was included in this study. Pain severity was measured over the past 7 days using a pain numeric rating scale. Multiple linear regression was used after adjusting for covariates. A total of 82 participants with OA were included, and the prevalence of HTN among individuals with OA was 28.91%. HTN was significantly associated with increased joint pain severity in this population after adjustments for covariates (B=1.81; 95% CI, 0.65, 2.97; p=0.003). HTN is prevalent in individuals with OA and is significantly associated with pain severity in this population. Future research should consider the impact of HTN control and medication on symptoms in people with OA. Clinicians may implement screening for HTN among individuals with OA due to the association between HTN and symptoms such as pain in this population.