Previous studies and meta-analyses suggest an association between hypertension and tinnitus; however, the influence of hypertension severity and control status remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the association between hypertension and tinnitus in detail using a large, population-based dataset from a rural setting.DesignObservational cross-sectional study.SettingSheshdeh, Fasa, Iran.
The observed association between hypertension severity and tinnitus is hypothesis-generating; cross-sectional design prevents causal conclusions, and no immediate change in tinnitus management is warranted based on this study alone.
Clarifying the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and tinnitus could eventually inform integrated care pathways for patients presenting with both conditions.
- 01Cross-sectional study using data from the Fasa adult cohort in Iran.
- 02Higher hypertension severity and poor blood pressure control associated with increased tinnitus prevalence.
- 03Study cannot establish whether hypertension causes tinnitus due to its cross-sectional design.
- 04Population-level data may not generalise to all clinical settings or ethnicities.
- 05Findings support further longitudinal investigation of the hypertension–tinnitus link.
Hypertension severity and control status are associated with tinnitus prevalence in community-dwelling adults.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42259562
- DOI
- 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-109272.
- Journal
- BMJ Open
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 3
- Population
- Community-dwelling adults from the Fasa adult cohort study (Iran)
- Intervention
- Hypertension status and severity (exposure)
- Comparator
- Normotensive adults
Primary outcomes
Presence and severity of tinnitus