AFRICA CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL OF AFRICA • SAHS Biennial Congress 16-18 September 2022 58 Submission ID: 1377 Introduction Paediatric hypertension is a growing concern since hypertension in children tracks into adulthood. One of the contributing factors for hypertension in childhood is childhood adversity or poor psychosocial well-being in children. We aimed to determine associations between blood pressure and psychosocial adversity in prepubescent children. Methods We included 892 healthy children, aged between 5 and 9 years, attending primary schools in the North-West province of South Africa. Paediatric validated automated blood pressure devices were used to measure brachial systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure. The KINDL-R questionnaire was used to calculate the quality-of-life score (QOLS). The KINDL-R questionnaire consists of 24 items collected from six subdomains namely physical well-being, emotional well-being, self-esteem, friends, family, and everyday functioning at school. The six subdomains were combined to produce a total QOLS out of 100, which was used to differentiate children in the low and optimal QOLS group. A cut-off of 55.56, was defined as a low QOLS. Results In our population, White children had a significantly lower quality of life (QOL) than children of African ancestry (p=0.025) and DBP was also higher in the low QOL group (p=0.05). In partial regression analysis (adjusting for ethnicity), SBP (r=0.18; p=0.008) correlated with family, while DBP (r=0.14; p=0.048) additionally correlated with emotional well-being (r=0.86; p=0.035). In multiple regression analysis, these results were confirmed and additionally, SBP were also independently associated with the friends subdomain (Adj R2=0.169; Std β=0.127; p=0.045) in children with a low QOL. Conclusion These results suggest that family, friends and emotional well-being-induced stress and anxiety may play a detrimental role in blood pressure regulation in children with a lower QOL. By addressing psychosocial risk factors possibly contributing to higher blood pressure during childhood, we can identify early intervention and preventative strategies focussing on adverse environmental exposures involved in the aetiology of hypertension development later in life. Name: Presenting Author Information Article Category Abstract Title Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa cvolschenk50@gmail.com English Abstract Basic Sciences Emotional and social contributors to higher blood pressure in children with a low quality of life: The ExAMIN Youth SA study Author Affiliation: Email: Chanelle Volschenk Authors Name & Surname Title Expertise Affiliation Email Country Ruan Kruger Prof Pediatric hypertension and premature cardiovascular disease development Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa; MRC Research Unit: Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, NorthWest University, Potchefstroom, South Africa ruan.kruger@nwu.ac.za South Africa Chanelle Volschenk Miss Cardiovascular physiology Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South-Africa cvolschenk50@gmail.com South Africa Esme Jansen van Vuren Dr Cardiovascular and Neuropsychophysiology Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa; MRC Research Unit: Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, NorthWest University, Potchefstroom, South Africa esme.jansenvanvuren@nwu.ac.za South Africa POSTER PRESENTATION
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