Potential impact of generalized anxiety disorder on future hypertension risk: Investigating the role of psychophysiological stress pathways

Table 1 General data of patients, n (%)

Variable	GAD group (n = 96)	Non-GAD group (n = 204)	t/χ2 value	P value
Age (years)	52.3 ± 10.8	50.1 ± 11.2	1.626	0.105
Sex
Male	46 (47.9)	102 (50.0)	0.106	0.745
Female	50 (52.1)	102 (50.0)
BMI (kg/m2)	24.6 ± 3.2	24.1 ± 3.1	1.275	0.203
Smoking
Yes	22 (22.9)	56 (27.5)	0.700	0.403
No	74 (77.1)	148 (72.5)
Drinking
Yes	20 (20.8)	48 (23.5)	0.246	0.620
No	76 (79.2)	156 (76.5)
Family history of hypertension
Yes	24 (25.0)	62 (30.4)	0.920	0.338
No	72 (75.0)	142 (69.6)
Baseline SBP (mmHg)	123.4 ± 9.8	121.9 ± 10.1	1.225	0.222
Baseline DBP (mmHg)	76.8 ± 7.2	75.9 ± 7.0	1.019	0.309
Sleep quality score	9.1 ± 3.4	7.4 ± 3.1	4.153	< 0.001
Psychotropic/hypnotic meds
Yes	18 (18.8)	22 (10.8)	3.692	0.055
No	78 (81.2)	182 (89.2)	3.692	0.055
Physical activity ≥ 150 minutes/week
Yes	38 (39.6)	99 (48.5)	2.100	0.147
No	58 (60.4)	105 (51.5)	2.100	0.147
High salt intake
Yes	34 (35.4)	63 (30.9)	0.612	0.434
No	62 (64.6)	141 (69.1)	0.612	0.434
GAD-7 score	11.2 ± 3.8	2.1 ± 1.3	31.645	< 0.001

BMI: Body mass index; SBP: Systolic blood pressure; DBP: Diastolic blood pressure; GAD: Generalized anxiety disorder.