Characteristics of hypertension-related factors in female home caregivers in Japan-comparison with general community non-caregivers.

Aims and objectives.  To examine the characteristics of hypertension-related factors in female family caregivers in Japan who provide care in the home, in comparison with general community non-caregivers. Background.  Hypertension is more frequently encountered in female caregivers than in non-caregivers. Lifestyle factors including sleep and eating habits differ in Japanese female caregivers and the general population. Therefore, hypertension-related factors in caregivers may also differ from those in the general population. Design.  A cross-sectional study. Methods.  The subjects were 150 female caregivers (aged 62·4, SD 12·2 years) who provided home care for persons with physical impairments and/or dementia and 154 female controls (aged 62·7, SD 2·2 years) who did not provide home care. Persons with a history of ischaemic heart disease or cerebral stroke were excluded. Subjects were examined using a self-reporting questionnaire that included a food frequency questionnaire and the tri-axial coping scale. Urine examinations and blood pressure measurements were also done. Logistic regression analysis was conducted for each group with the same variables as explanatory variables. Results.  Hypertension was present in 46·7% of caregivers and 34·4% of controls (p < 0·05). Menopause was a factor related to hypertension in both the caregivers and controls. In the caregiver group, hypertension was associated with the estimated 24-h Na excretion in urine and the carbohydrate-energy ratio for nutriti. BMI was associated with hypertension in the control group, but not in the caregiver group. Conclusions.  Hypertension was associated with nutritional factors, such as greater Na excretion in urine and higher carbohydrate energy ratio, in Japanese female caregivers and with obesity in non-caregivers. Relevance to clinical practice.  To prevent hypertension, it is necessary to carefully monitor salt intake and nutritional balance in female caregivers in Japan.