Depressive symptoms, symptoms of insomnia and stressful events in hypertensive older adults: Cross-sectional study.

Objectives: the aim of this study was to determine whether symptoms of insomnia and intensity of stressful life events are independently associated with depressive symptoms in community-dwelling hypertensive older adults.

Methods: this was an observational cross-sectional study. Participants were 438 older adults with arterial hypertension who completed questionnaires about depressive symptoms, stressful events, self-reported symptoms of insomnia and socio-demographic characteristics. Cluster analysis was performed to obtain groups according to insomnia symptoms. The following groups were identified: Poor Sleep Quality, Early Waking and Good Sleep Quality. Associations were tested using linear regression analysis and multiple Poisson regression analysis.

Results: The factors that independently contributed to the increase of depressive symptoms were belonging to the Poor Sleep Quality group (p<.001) and Early Waking group (p=.005), reporting higher intensity of stressful life events (p<.001) and having less schooling (p=.003).

Conclusion: older adults with hypertension need a comprehensive approach to their health care that considers depressive symptoms and their relationship with intensity of stressful events, insomnia symptoms and schooling.