Can Hypertension be a Cause of Irritable Mood in Middle-Aged Women?

Hypertension in middle-age can lead to greater drop in mental functions later in life. Not many studies have been done to evaluate hypertension as a cause of mood disorders manifesting with irritability as a symptom. An attempt has been made to study and score irritability in hypertensive and normotensive middle-aged women and assess a possible association between hypertension and irritable mood.

To test the hypothesis that irritability score is higher among middle-aged hypertensive females compared to the normotensive controls.

Study group consisted of 42 hypertensive females (mean SBP=152±8, mean DBP=92±4 mm Hg) and 44 normotensive females (mean SBP=118±6, mean DBP=80±4 mm Hg) aged 35–50 years. Irritability was scored using Born-Steiner self –rating Irritability Scale. It has 2 components- Irritability scoring and visual analogue scale.

Statistical analysis shows that irritability scoring is significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in hypertensive middle-aged women (21.67± 8.6) compared to controls (9.6±6.1). Visual analogue scale shows that irritability is causing a problem to oneself and in relation with family, friends and community. Also, the severity of irritability as a trait and transient state are both significantly higher in cases compared to controls.

Irritability is higher in hypertensive middle-aged females compared to controls. Haemorrhagic and ischaemic cerebrovascular changes in the supratentorial region & brain metabolism in hypertension reducing neurotransmitter activity may be the reasons for altered mood manifesting with high irritability score.