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Updated: May 14, 2026
07:30
Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Psychological Burden in Uncontrolled Hypertension: Findings from the ERIDANO Multicenter Study
Francesca Novello1,2, Fabrizio Vallelonga1,2, Samuel Agostino1
1Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|May 13, 2026
Summary
Patients with uncontrolled hypertension (UH) experience significantly higher psychological burden, including anxiety and depression, compared to hypertensive and normotensive individuals. Screening for these conditions in UH patients is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Uncontrolled hypertension (UH) is a common condition with a poorly understood psychological impact.
- Assessing the psychological burden in UH patients is crucial for comprehensive patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the psychological burden in patients with uncontrolled hypertension.
- To compare the psychological burden of UH patients with hypertensive (HTN) and normotensive (NT) individuals.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, cross-sectional study involving 191 UH patients, 56 HTN patients, and 89 NT individuals.
- Utilized validated self-report scales for anxiety, depression, psychological distress (HADS), perceived stress (PSS-10), and Type D personality (DS-14).
- Employed nonparametric group comparisons and multivariable logistic regression with bootstrap resampling for statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- UH patients reported significantly higher levels of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and psychological distress than both control groups (p < 0.001).
- Clinically relevant anxiety was found in 41.9% of UH patients, compared to 25.0% of HTN and 19.1% of NT participants.
- Perceived stress and Type D personality traits were also significantly higher in the UH group compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Uncontrolled hypertension is associated with a substantial psychological burden.
- Routine screening for anxiety and depression in patients with UH is warranted in clinical practice.
- Findings highlight the importance of addressing mental health in hypertension management.
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