Hypertension in the Lebanese adults: impact on health related quality of life

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, hypertension being one of their most prevalent risk factors. Information on health related quality of life [QOL] of hypertensive individuals in Lebanon is lacking. Our objectives were to evaluate QOL of hypertensive patients compared with nonhypertensive subjects and to suggest possible predictors of QOL in Lebanon. We conducted a case control study among individuals visiting outpatient clinics. Quality of life was assessed using the eight item [SF-8] questionnaire administered face to face to the study population, applied to hypertensive [N = 224] and non-hypertensive control [N = 448] groups. Hypertensive patients presented lower QOL scores in all domains, particularly in case of high administration frequency and occurrence of drug related side effects. Among hypertensive patients, QOL was significantly decreased with the presence of comorbidities [beta =-13.865, p = 0.054], daily frequency of antihypertensive medications [beta =-8.196, p < 0.001], presence of drug side-effects [beta =-19.262, p = 0.031], older age [beta =-0.548, p < 0.001], female gender [beta =-21.363, p = 0.05], lower education [beta =-22.949, p = 0.006], and cigarettes smoked daily [beta =-0.726, p < 0.001]; regular sport activity [beta = 23.15, p < 0.001] significantly increased quality of life. These findings indicate the necessity for health professionals to take these factors into account when treating hypertensive patients, and to tackle special subgroups with attention to their deteriorated QOL

Evaluation of hip fracture risk factors in older adults in the Lebanese population

Hip fractures are serious fall injuries that often result in long-term functional impairment and increased mortality. As the population ages, the number of hip fractures is likely to increase worldwide. The main objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the risk factors of hip fracture among the older adults in the Lebanese population. This pilot epidemiological, prospective, and case-control study was performed in 6 hospitals in Great Beirut and South Lebanon. Subjects who met the inclusion criteria filled out a questionnaire consisting on the socio- demographic characteristics, health status, drugs intake and cigarette smoking. Overall, 195 subjects were recruited, with 65 cases of hip fracture and 130 controls all aged over 50 yr. Females represented around two third of the studied population. The logistic regression, using adjusted odds ratio [OR[a]], showed a significant relationship between hip fracture and chronic diseases [OR[a]=3.02; 95% CI: 1.63, 6.66], antihypertensive drugs intake [OR[a]=2.72; 95% CI: 1.56, 6.42], fall [OR[a]=2.79; 95% CI: 1.82, 7.06] previous fracture [OR[a]=3.80; 95% CI: 1.57, 9.23] and family history of fracture [OR[a]=4.82; 95% CI: [2.29, 10.86]. Besides, smoking increased the risk of hip fracture [OR[a]=2.55; 95% CI: [1.96, 5.80]. Having a bow was associated with the highest risk for hip fracture [OR[a]=5.18; 95% CI: 2.30, 12.24]. Elderly people in Lebanon are exposed to many risk factors contributing to hip fracture. Our finding has implication in geriatric health improvement by preventing hip fracture in the Lebanese population