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

doi:10.5498/wjp.122420

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World Journal of Psychiatry

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2220-3206

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World J Psychiatry. Nov 19, 2026; 16(11): 122420
Published online Nov 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.122420

Table 4 Comparison of clinical data, stress/inflammation, and heart rate variability indicators between the new-onset hypertension group and the non-hypertension group, mean ± SD/n (%)/median (P25, P75)

Variable	New-onset hypertension group (n = 50)	Non-hypertensive group (n = 250)	Statistical values	P value
Age (years)	57.8 ± 9.6	50.4 ± 11.0	t = 4.851	< 0.001
Sex
Male	28 (56.0)	120 (48.0)	χ² = 1.080	0.299
Female	22 (44.0)	130 (52.0)	χ² = 1.080	0.299
BMI (kg/m²)	26.1 ± 3.1	24.1 ± 3.1	t = 4.164	< 0.001
Smoking
Yes	18 (36.0)	60 (24.0)	χ² = 3.240	0.072
No	32 (64.0)	190 (76.0)	χ² = 3.240	0.072
Drinking
Yes	14 (28.0)	54 (21.6)	χ² = 0.980	0.322
No	36 (72.0)	196 (78.4)	χ² = 0.980	0.322
Family history of hypertension
Yes	20 (40.0)	66 (26.4)	χ² = 3.780	0.052
No	30 (60.0)	184 (73.6)	χ² = 3.780	0.052
GAD
Yes	36 (72.0)	60 (24.0)	χ² = 44.118	< 0.001
No	14 (28.0)	190 (76.0)	χ² = 44.118	< 0.001
Sleep quality score	9.8 ± 3.2	8.1 ± 3.4	t = 3.393	< 0.001
Baseline SBP (mmHg)	128.6 ± 8.7	121.6 ± 9.8	t = 5.081	< 0.001
Baseline DBP (mmHg)	78.6 ± 6.9	76.1 ± 7.1	t = 2.327	0.021
Cortisol (nmol/L)	495.3 ± 90.2	430.8 ± 92.1	t = 4.600	< 0.001
CRP (mg/L)	3.4 (2.1, 5.2)	2.0 (1.1, 3.4)	Z = 3.592	< 0.001
IL-6 (pg/mL)	4.8 (3.6, 6.4)	3.3 (2.5, 4.7)	Z = 3.848	< 0.001
SDNN (milliseconds)	112.4 ± 26.7	130.9 ± 30.1	t = 4.375	< 0.001
RMSSD (milliseconds)	25.1 ± 9.8	30.9 ± 11.0	t = 3.740	< 0.001
HF (milliseconds²)	260 (180, 390)	330 (220, 490)	Z = 2.758	0.006
LF/HF	2.30 ± 0.84	1.88 ± 0.79	t = 3.259	0.001
Psychotropic/hypnotic meds
Yes	10 (20.0)	30 (12.0)	χ² = 2.250	0.134
No	40 (80.0)	220 (88.0)	χ² = 2.250	0.134
Physical activity ≥ 150 minutes/week
Yes	17 (34.0)	120 (48.0)	χ² = 3.240	0.072
No	33 (66.0)	130 (52.0)	χ² = 3.240	0.072
High salt intake
Yes	24 (48.0)	73 (29.2)	χ² = 6.750	0.009
No	26 (52.0)	177 (70.8)	χ² = 6.750	0.009
GAD-7 score	10.4 ± 5.6	4.1 ± 4.3	t = 8.980	< 0.001

BMI: Body mass index; GAD: Generalized anxiety disorder; SBP: Systolic blood pressure; DBP: Diastolic blood pressure; CRP: C-reactive protein; IL-6: Interleukin-6.

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Citation: Ouyang LR, Zheng ML, Hu JY, Li QH, Xie H, Yang X, Xue JB, Lin XY. Potential impact of generalized anxiety disorder on future hypertension risk: Investigating the role of psychophysiological stress pathways. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(11): 122420
URL: https://www.wjgnet.com/2220-3206/full/v16/i11/122420.htm
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.5498/wjp.122420

Ouyang LR, Zheng ML, Hu JY, Li QH, Xie H, Yang X, Xue JB, Lin XY. Potential impact of generalized anxiety disorder on future hypertension risk: Investigating the role of psychophysiological stress pathways. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(11): 122420 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.122420]

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