Subjective social status, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease among older adults in india: Roles of depression, insomnia, and urban-rural differences

This study examined associations between subjective social status (SSS), hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older adults in India. We also examined whether depressive and insomnia symptoms moderated these associations and whether patterns differed between rural and urban-dwelling older Indians. Multivariable logistic regression models utilized data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (2017-18), including 31,389 adults aged 60+. Higher SSS was associated with higher odds of hypertension. Depressive symptoms were linked with higher odds of hypertension and CVD, while insomnia was associated with higher odds of hypertension. Higher SSS paired with depressive symptoms increased the odds of hypertension and CVD, while its combination with insomnia symptoms increased the odds of hypertension. These associations were significant among rural but not urban dwellers. Health care professionals should screen for depressive and insomnia symptoms in older persons with high SSS, especially in rural India, to mitigate the occurrence of hypertension and CVD.