Association of balance, anthropometric measurements, fall risk, and awareness with quality of life in older females according to hypertensive status

Falls and their consequences are perhaps the greatest moderators of quality of life (QoL) among older adults with hypertension. However, limited studies have been conducted to identify associations between fall risk and awareness, anthropometric, balance, and QoL among older women with different blood pressure patterns within the Pakistani population. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between anthropometric measurements, postural balance (PB), fear of falling, fall risk awareness, and QoL in older females with hypersensitive status in Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 114 females aged 65 to 83 years from Bajwa hospital participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements, including height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-height ratio, were calculated. Time up and go test, Berg balance scale (BBS), fall efficacy scale international (FES-I), and fall risk awareness questionnaire were used. QoL was measured through SF-36. Independent t-tests, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis were conducted. Comparison of hypertensive and normotensive participants showed statistically significant differences in BMI (P = .006), waist-to-height ratio (P < .001), and balance measured by BBS (P = .013). Compromised mobility was observed among hypertensive and obese women. Multiple regression models showed that the domains of emotional well-being and role limitations due to physical health could be predicted by PB, fear of falling, and fall risk awareness. These results revealed obesity and fear of falling as key factors to predict QoL. The waist-to-height ratio (an indicator of central obesity) was associated more closely with poor PB in comparison to the BMI (R = 0.75 vs R = 0.36), and the fear of falling positively correlated with poor acute awareness of fall risk (R = 0.28, P < .05). The variables related to QoL differ based on hypertensive status. Among elderly hypertensive females, obesity, reduced balance, and fear of fall represent the key determinants of decreased emotional well-being and role limitation due to physical health. Strategies to prevent falls need to be individualized and multifactorial.