Waist circumference and incidence of hypertension in Chinese adults : Observations from the Kailuan Study

Abdominal fat accumulation increases the risk of high blood pressure: evidence of 47,037 participants from Chinese and US national population surveys

AIMS

This study aims to ascertain whether abdominal fat accumulation evaluated by waist circumference increases the risk of hypertension using the nationwide population.

METHODS

We enrolled 47,037 participants from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), and National Health, and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The adjusted logistic regression model was used to examine the relationship between waist circumference and prevalent hypertension. 9445 participants without baseline hypertension from the CHNS and CHARLS were followed up to investigate the association between waist circumference and onset hypertension. The association was evaluated using a Cox regression model and restricted cubic spline. Furthermore, Mendelian randomization was employed to explore causal inferences.

RESULTS

In the baseline survey, waist circumference demonstrated a notable correlation with hypertension, presenting an odds ratio (with 95% confidence intervals) of 1.34 (1.28 ~ 1.40). After a mean follow-up of 3.8 years for participants without baseline hypertension, 2,592 (27.5%) developed hypertension. In the pooled analysis, the Cox regression showed that every 10 cm increase in waist circumference was associated with 20% (95% CI: 13% ~ 27%) elevated risk of new-onset hypertension. Restricted cubic splines indicated a pronounced linear dose-response relationship. A subgroup analysis affirmed the persisting association between waist circumference and hypertension onset even in those with normal BMI. The Mendelian randomization method revealed a significant causative association between waist circumference and hypertension.

CONCLUSION

Elevated waist circumference stands as an independent risk factor for hypertension, even in those with normal BMI. Our results provide evidence supporting the routine measure for waist circumference.

Association between waist circumference change after smoking cessation and incidence of hypertension in Korean adults

OBJECTIVES

This study investigates the association between smoking cessation and hypertension incidence, as well as the association between waist circumference change after smoking cessation and hypertension incidence.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a nationwide population-based cohort study.

METHODS

We used the Korean Health Screening Cohort data and included 158,505 participants who had undergone two or more health examinations between 2008 and 2011, with follow-ups throughout 2019. Smoking cessation and waist changes were captured based on difference between first and follow-up screening dates. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for hypertension risk were estimated using multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models.

RESULTS

There were 31,270 cases of hypertension during a median follow-up of 8.50 years. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, HR for hypertension were 1.01 (95% CI: 0.97-1.05), 0.91 (95% CI: 0.87-0.95), and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.85-0.91) for recent quitters, long-term quitters, and non-smokers, respectively, compared with current smokers. HR for hypertension, compared with current smokers, were 0.89 (95% CI: 0.84-0.94), 0.91 (95% CI: 0.85-0.97), and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.91-1.08) for long-term quitters with no waist gain, long-term quitters with waist gain of 0.1-5.0 cm, and long-term quitters with waist gain of ≥5.0 cm, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term smoking cessation was significantly associated with decreased risk of hypertension, and long-term smoking cessation with no waist gain or less than 5.0 cm of waist gain was significantly associated with decreased risk of hypertension. However, more than 5.0 cm of waist gain can attenuate the effect of long-term smoking cessation on lowering the risk of hypertension.

Comparison of conventional and unconventional obesity indices associated with new-onset hypertension in different sex and age populations

We aimed to compare the relationship between hypertension and obesity-related anthropometric indices (waist circumference [WC], waist-height ratio, waist-hip ratio [WHR], and body mass index; unconventional: new body shape index [ABSI] and body roundness index [BRI]) to identify best predictors of new-onset hypertension. The study included 4123 adult participants (2377 women). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined using a Cox regression model to estimate the risk of new-onset hypertension with respect to each obesity index. In addition, we assessed the predictive value of each obesity index for new-onset hypertension using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) after adjusting for common risk factors. During the median follow-up of 2.59 years, 818 (19.8%) new hypertension cases were diagnosed. The non-traditional obesity indices BRI and ABSI had predictive value for new-onset hypertension; however, they were not better than the traditional indexes. WHR was the best predictor of new-onset hypertension in women aged ≤ 60 and > 60 years, with HRs of 2.38 and 2.51 and AUCs of 0.793 and 0.716. However, WHR (HR 2.28, AUC = 0.759) and WC (HR 3.24, AUC = 0.788) were the best indexes for predicting new-onset hypertension in men aged ≤ 60 and > 60 years, respectively.

Pulse pressure variability and the risk of fragility fracture: The Kailuan prospective cohort study in China

OBJECTIVES

To investigated the association of PPV, considering its magnitude and direction, with the incidence of fragility fracture in the general population.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study of the on-the-job and retired Kailuan Group employees who attended health check-ups continuously from 2006 to 2010, and were followed up until 31st December 2021. A total of 56,129 participants who completed health checkups were selected and grouped according to Pulse pressure variability (PPV), using the variability coefficient of variation (CV) quartiles, standard deviation (SD), variation independent of mean (VIM), and average real variability (ARV) was used as measures of pulse pressure variability. The cumulative incidence of fragility fracture in the four groups was calculated, the impact of PPV on the risk of fragility fracture was analyzed using a multivariate Cox regression model, and the direction of the variation was further assessed.

RESULTS

During the median follow-up of 11 years, there were 671 cases of fragility fracture (1.2 %). In the multivariable-adjusted model, the hazard ratios and 95 % CIs of fragility fracture was 1.37 (1.11-1.70) for the highest quartile of variability coefficient of variation of pulse pressure versus the lowest quartile of CV of PP. There was a linear association between higher PPV and fragility fracture. Consistent results were noted for higher PPV and the risk of the fragility fracture using other indices of variability and in various sensitivity and subgroup analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher PPV is a risk factor for fragility fracture, independently of blood pressure and PPV direction. Reducing PPV may be a target for preventing fragility fractures in the general population.

Multiple Trajectories of Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference and Their Associations with Hypertension and Blood Pressure in Chinese Adults from 1991 to 2018: A Prospective Study

Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) have been suggested to be involved in the etiology of hypertension. The present study aimed to determine multiple trajectories of BMI and WC, then examined their associations with the risks of hypertension and high blood pressure in Chinese adults. The study used China Health and Nutrition Survey data from 1991 to 2018. The sample included 9651 adults aged 18 years or older. We used group-based multi-trajectory modeling to identify trajectories. We estimated the relationships between the trajectories and the risks of hypertension with a Cox proportional hazards regression model and the trajectories' relationships with blood pressure levels with a generalized linear model. We identified four trajectories for each gender: low stable BMI, low increasing WC (group 1); medium increasing BMI, medium increasing WC (group 2); increasing BMI to overweight, increasing WC to central obesity (group 3), increasing BMI to obesity, increasing central obesity WC (group 4). Group 1 was the reference group. Among males in groups 2, 3, and 4, the adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of hypertension were 1.30 (1.15-1.48), 1.86 (1.58-2.18), and 2.60 (2.02-3.34), respectively. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of males in group 4 increased by 11.90 mm of mercury (mmHg) and 7.75 mmHg, respectively. Among females in groups 2, 3, and 4, the HR and 95% CI of hypertension were 1.35 (1.18-1.54), 1.92 (1.62-2.26), and 2.37 (1.85-3.03), respectively. The SBP and DBP of females in group 4 increased by 8.84 mmHg and 5.79 mmHg, respectively. These data indicated that increases in BMI and WC were associated with unfavorable hypertension risks. Attention to both BMI and WC trajectories has the potential to prevent hypertension.

Waist Circumference Trajectories in Relation to Blood Pressure and the Risk of Hypertension in Chinese Adults

Central obesity is associated with a higher risk of hypertension. This study aimed to analyze waist circumference (WC) trajectories and discover their association with blood pressure and the risk of hypertension. The data were obtained from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), with a sample of 11,885 adults aged 18 or older. Trajectory groups of WC were identified by group-based trajectory modeling. Three trajectory groups were identified in males: "normal-stable group" (group 1), "normal-increase to central obesity group" (group 2), and "central obesity-slight decrease group" (group 3). There were also three identified in females: "normal-increase to central obesity group" (group 1), "normal-stable group" (group 2), and "central obesity-increase group" (group 3). For males, compared with group 1, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) increased by 2.47 mmHg and 2.13 mmHg, respectively, in group 2, and by 3.07 mmHg and 2.54 mmHg, respectively, in group 3. The adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of hypertension in groups 2 and 3 were 1.16 (1.06-1.28) and 1.29 (1.10-1.50), respectively. For females, compared with group 2, SBP and DBP increased by 1.69 mmHg and 1.68 mmHg, respectively, in group 1, and by 4.96 mmHg and 2.77 mmHg, respectively, in group 3. The HR and 95% CI of hypertension in groups 2 and 3 were 1.21 (1.07-1.36) and 1.52(1.17-1.99), respectively. We found that the WC trajectory was a risk factor for hypertension and elevated blood pressure independent of basal WC. Increased risk of hypertension was nonlinearly associated with annual WC increase.

Central Adiposity Indicators Maintain a Stronger Association With the Risk of Hypertension: A Prospective Cohort Study in Southwest China

Objectives: Studies have linked obesity to an increased risk of hypertension, but the optimal adiposity indicators to predict hypertension remains controversial. We comprehensively explored the correlation between body mass index, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), long-term weight and WC change, and hypertension in an adult population in Southwest China. Methods: We studied 9,280 participants from 48 townships of 12 districts with a follow-up of 10 years in the Guizhou Population Health Cohort Study. We used Pearson's correlation coefficients combined with Dunn and Clark's z test and Zou's confidence interval test, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses, and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regressions adjusting for demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, disease history, and lipid information of participants. Results: Baseline central adiposity indicators (WC and WHtR) had closer associations with hypertension than BMI, and long-term WC change was more predictive of hypertension compared with weight change in the studied population. Conclusion: Central adiposity indicators maintain a stronger association with the risk of hypertension, hinting at the importance of WC management in the precaution of hypertension.

Cardiovascular risk in primary care: comparison between Framingham Score and waist circumference

Objectives: To estimate and compare the cardiovascular risk using the Framingham risk score (FRS) and waist circumference (WC) in primary care individuals and, secondarily, determine the main factors associated with these scores. Methods: Cross-sectional study involving individuals of both sexes attended in a primary health unit and aging between 30 and 74 years. The cardiovascular risks (FRS and WC) were stratified as low, intermediate, and high. The weighted Kappa coefficient was used to assess agreements between scores. Results: Fifty-five individuals (52.8 ± 9.4 years, 70.9% women) were evaluated. Using the FRS, 40.0% of the sample presented a low risk, 45.5% intermediate risk, and 14.5% high risk of cardiovascular disease. Conversely, when analyzed using the WC score, the highest frequency (71%) was observed in the high-risk category. Also, no agreement (K= 0.36; p= 0.55) was found between scores. FRS was associated with hypertension (p<0.01), diabetes (p=0.01), and stress in women (p=0.01), while the WC score was associated with hypertension (p=0.02), obesity (p<0.01), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol HDL-c (p=0.03). Conclusions: Primary care individuals presented intermediate cardiovascular risk in the FRS and high risk in the WC, with no agreement between scores. Hypertension, diabetes, stress, obesity, and HDL-c represented the factors that were most associated with these scores.

Joint Effects of Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference on the Incidence of Hypertension in a Community-Based Chinese Population

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the relationships of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and obesity defined using a combination of both indexes, with the incidence of hypertension in a Chinese community-based population.

METHODS

A total of 1,927 Chinese participants (57.2 ± 8.9 years old) with normal blood pressure at baseline were recruited from the Shijingshan community in Beijing. Incident hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg, self-reported hypertension, or the use of any antihypertensive medication at the follow-up visit.

RESULTS

During 2.3 years of follow-up, 19.1% (n = 97) of the men and 13.6% (n = 158) of the women developed incident hypertension. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for obesity (BMI ≥30) were 3.49 (1.59-7.66) and 2.60 (1.48-4.55) for men and women, respectively. A 1-point increase in BMI was associated with 8% (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.00-1.17) and 10% (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.05-1.16) increases in the incidence of hypertension in men and women, respectively. Abdominal obesity (WC ≥90 cm in men and ≥85 cm in women) was positively associated with incident hypertension in both men (adjusted OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.10-2.91) and women (adjusted OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.09-2.40). A 1-cm increase in WC was associated with 4% (adjusted OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07) and 4% (adjusted OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.07) increases in the incidence of hypertension in men and women, respectively. The combination of abnormal BMI and WC has the highest risk for hypertension in both men (adjusted OR = 3.10, 95% CI: 1.48-6.50) and women (adjusted OR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.43-4.40).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that BMI, WC, and an index that combined the two are independently associated with incident hypertension in a Chinese community-based population.

The association of wrist circumference with hypertension in northeastern Chinese residents in comparison with other anthropometric obesity indices

Background

Wrist circumference (WrC) is an easily obtained measure in estimating the body frame and regional fat distribution, and has increasingly used as an obesity index. The aim of our study is to estimate the association of WrC with elevated blood pressure (BP) among northeastern Chinese community-dwelling residents, and compare the strength of this association to other anthropometric obesity indices.

Methods

A total of 2,331 adult participants (761 male participants, and 1,570 female participants) were included. WrC and other five generally used obesity indices, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and neck circumference (NC) were measured. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP)/diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥140/90 mmHg or anti-hypertensive medication use. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were performed to identify associations of BP and hypertension with per standard deviation (SD) increase of obesity indices. Areas under receiver operative characteristic curves (AUC) were calculated to compare the predicting capacity of WrC and other obesity indices on hypertension.

Results

All of the six obesity indices were positively associated with both SBP and DBP after adjustment for age and gender (P-values of associations of SBP with obesity indices were 0.043 for WrC, and <0.001 for other five indices; P-values of associations of DBP with obesity indices were 0.011 for WrC, 0.031 for WHR, and <0.001 for other four indices), while the association between SBP and WrC showed no statistically significant after further adjusted for life-style and metabolic risk factors (P-value was 0.062). The increases of both SBP and DBP per SD increase of BMI were the largest. The positive associations of five obesity indices but WHR with hypertension were observed after adjustment for all risk factors (P-values were 0.024 for WrC, 0.064 for WHR and <0.001 for other four indices). However, the odd ratios (OR) of WrC was the smallest, while BMI was the largest. Consistently, the AUC of BMI was the largest and statistically larger than that observed for WrC (P-value <0.001).

Conclusions

WrC was associated with hypertension among northeastern Chinese populations. However, the association was not stronger than the other generally used indices, particularly BMI.

The effect of lipid accumulation product and its interaction with other factors on hypertension risk in Chinese Han population: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Lipid accumulation product (LAP) is a simple and effective indicator that reflects visceral obesity. This study aimed to compare the significance of LAP in predicting hypertension risk with other obesity indices, and to evaluate the interactive effects of LAP and smoking, family history of hypertension on hypertension risk in Chinese Han adults.

METHODS

A community based cross-sectional study was performed in Bengbu, China. Participants received face-to-face questionnaire survey, anthropometric tests and laboratory examinations. Relevant indicators that reflect obesity including BMI (body mass index), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and LAP were calculated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the association between LAP and hypertension risk. The area under the receiver-operating characteristics curves (AUC) of LAP, BMI, and WHtR were calculated and then compared. Interactive effect was evaluated by relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion due to interaction (AP) and synergy index (SI).

RESULTS

A total of 1777 participants were enrolled, and the prevalence of hypertension was 24.4% (n = 433). There was a significant increase in hypertension risk with LAP levels in the fourth quartile as compared with the bottom quartile (OR: 3.31, 95%CI: 1.76-6.25). The AUC of LAP was significantly different than that of BMI in males (Z = 2.158, p = 0.0309) and females (Z = 3.570, p = 0.0004), while only performed better in females as compared with that of WHtR (Z = 2.166, p = 0.0303). LAP was significantly interacted with family history of hypertension on hypertension risk both in males (RERI: 1.07, 95%CI: 0.09-2.05; AP: 0.33, 95%CI: 0.23-0.44; SI: 1.92, 95%CI: 1.53-2.41) and females (RERI: 0.80, 95%CI: 0.07-1.53; AP: 0.25, 95%CI: 0.11-0.39; SI: 1.59, 95%CI: 1.16-2.19). However, a significant interaction between LAP and smoking was only observed in males (RERI: 1.32, 95%CI: 0.15-2.75; AP: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.14-0.73).

CONCLUSION

Increased LAP was significantly associated with a higher risk of hypertension in Chinese Han adults. Moreover, the effect of LAP on predicting hypertension risk was better than that of other obesity indices. Our results also demonstrated interactive effects of LAP with smoking, family history of hypertension on hypertension risk.

Associations of Blood Pressure with the Factors among Adults in Jilin Province: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Quantile Regression Analysis

Hypertension has become a major public health challenge. However, numerous research results reported in the literature focus primarily on risk factors of hypertension, little is known about how the whole continuum of blood pressure (BP) is associated with risk factors of hypertension. This study aims to reveal quantile-specific associations of BP with its risk factors. A cross-sectional survey based on a sample of 23,050 adults aged 18 to 79 years was conducted in Jilin Province in 2012, and some subjects were excluded due to missing values in BP or having BP control according to the purpose of this study. Quantile regression (QR) was employed to investigate the associations between systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) and the risk factors. The SBP and DBP in males presented statistically higher than females (P < 0.001). High-salt diet for males manifested a slightly increasing positive association with higher SBP only for high quantiles (≥70), but with a higher DBP for middle part of the quantiles (30~75), compared with bland diet. High-salt diet, drinking and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were positively associated with BP measures in males. And the coefficient of total cholesterol (TC) in QR increased with BP in females who used to live in town.