Background: Hypertension is globally prevalent and one of hypertension's complications that threat lives is the loss of appetite. Loss of appetite leads to weight loss and malnutrition which is associated with anemia, sarcopenia, bone loss and hip fractures, declining immune function and poor quality of life. This study determines the prevalence of loss of appetite among elderly hypertensive patients and the factors associated with it.
Methodology: A cross sectional study was carried out in Alahsa, Saudi Arabia during summer of 2015. A sample of 288 hypertensive patients of 60 years old and above were included. Outpatient clinics of four major hospitals were chosen to take the sample from them. Data were collected using a questionnaire which included three sections; socio demographic information, hypertension and loss of appetite and co-morbidities and lifestyle factors.
Results: Ninety six patients out of the total sample 288 (33.3%) suffered from the loss of appetite. Older age and living alone was found to be linked with loss of appetite. Married hypertensive elders were less likely to get loss of appetite than those who were divorced or widowed. In this study, there was a significant relationship between drugs and loss of appetite. Smoking was a significant factor that caused loss of appetite. There was no significant relationship between anemia and loss of appetite, so was having other chronic diseases and physical activity.
Conclusion: The study showed a positive relationship between loss of appetite and number of hypertension drugs, age, smoking, living alone, and being divorced or widowed.
Key words: Loss of appetite, hypertension, elderly, Saudi Arabia
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