2018 Korean Society of Hypertension guidelines for the management of hypertension: part I-epidemiology of hypertension

Current status of adherence interventions in hypertension management in Asian countries: A report from the HOPE Asia Network

Adherence continues to be the major hurdle in hypertension management. Since the early 2000s, systematic approaches have been emphasized to tackle multi-dimensional issues specific for each regional setting. However, there is little data regarding implementation of adherence interventions in Asian countries. Eleven hypertension experts from eight Asian countries answered questionnaires regarding the use of adherence interventions according to 11 theoretical domain frameworks by Allemann et al. A four-point Likert scale: Often, Sometimes, Seldom, and Never used was administered. Responses to 97 items from 11 domains excluding three irrelevant items were collected. "Often-used" interventions accounted for 5/9 for education, 1/8 for skills, 1/2 for social/professional role and identity, 1/1 for belief about capabilities, 0/3 for belief about consequences, 2/4 for intentions, 2/9 for memory, attention, and decision process, 11/20 for environmental context and resources, 0/2 for social influences, 0/2 for emotion, and 2/2 for behavioral regulation. Most of them are dependent on conventional resources. Most of "Never used" intervention were the adherence interventions related to multidisciplinary subspecialties or formal training for behavioral therapy. For adherence interventions recommended by 2018 ESC/ESH hypertension guidelines, only 1 in 7 patient level interventions was "Often used." In conclusion, conventional or physician level interventions such as education, counseling, and prescription have been well implemented but multidisciplinary interventions and patient or health system level interventions are in need of better implementation in Asian countries.

Association between Use of Hydrochlorothiazide and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer: Common Data Model Cohort Study in Asian Population

Although hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) has been suggested to increase skin cancer risk in white Westerners, there is scant evidence for the same in Asians. We analyzed the association between the use of hydrochlorothiazide and non-melanoma in the Asian population using the common data model.

METHODS

A retrospective multicenter observational study was conducted using a distributed research network to analyze the effect of HCTZ on skin cancer from 2004 to 2018. We performed Cox regression to evaluate the effects by comparing the use of HCTZ with other antihypertensive drugs. All analyses were re-evaluated using matched data using the propensity score matching (PSM). Then, the overall effects were evaluated by combining results with the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Positive associations were observed in the use of HCTZ with high cumulative dose for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in univariate analysis prior to the use of PSM. Some negative associations were observed in the use of low and medium cumulative doses.

CONCLUSION

Although many findings in our study were inconclusive, there was a non-significant association of a dose-response pattern with estimates increasing in cumulative dose of HCTZ. In particular, a trend with a non-significant positive association was observed with the high cumulative dose of HCTZ.

Factors Associated with Awareness, Treatment, and Control Rate of Hypertension among Korean Young Adults Aged 30-49 Years

Background and Objectives

Hypertension awareness, treatment, and control have been substantially improved in the last decades worldwide, but hypertension management in younger adults is still challenged. We analyzed a nationally representative sample of Korea to investigate factors affecting hypertension management among the young Korean population.

Methods

Among 8,024 young adults aged 30–49 years from the 2014–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1,103 participants with hypertension were analyzed to identify factors associated with hypertension management status. Multiple logistic regression models were conducted separately by sex.

Results

Young adults with hypertension showed a low rate of awareness (35.8%), treatment (30.9%), and control (23.0%). The older age (40–49 years), obese (body mass index ≥25.0 kg/m²), having diabetes mellitus (DM), and having past-history of cardiovascular disease were positively associated with awareness, and taking health examination in the past 2 years were positively associated with both treatment and control of hypertension among male. Young females who were older (40–49 years), rural residents, unemployed, not taking sodium over the recommended amount, having dyslipidemia, and having DM showed a higher likelihood of awareness. Young females who have not experienced unmet medical needs in the past year were more likely to be treated or controlled with hypertension.

Conclusions

The factors associated with hypertension awareness, treatment, and control were different by sex and age group. Enhancing attention on hypertension among young hypertension and encouraging them to visit clinics would be key strategies to improve hypertension management among the young hypertensive population.

Elderly Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients: Open or Laparoscopic Approach?

It remains unclear whether the short-term benefits and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) accrue to elderly patients with medical comorbidities. The aim of the present study was to compare the outcomes between LLR and open liver resection (OLR) in elderly patients (≥65 years) with solitary, treatment-naïve solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). From January 2013 to August 2017, 256 elderly patients with solitary treatment-naive HCC underwent liver resection. All patients were Child–Pugh class A and older than 65 years. The OLR and LLR groups contained 160 and 96 patients, respectively. The median tumor size in the OLR group was significantly larger than that in the LLR group (3.9 vs. 2.6 cm), but the tumor size did not differ between the two groups after matching. The median operation time, blood loss, transfusion rate, and postoperative complications in the OLR group did not differ from those in the LLR group, but the operation time in the LLR group was longer than that in the OLR group after matching. The median hospitalization in the LLR group was significantly shorter than that in the OLR group. Disease-free survival (DFS) in the LLR group was better than that in the OLR group before and after matching, but the difference was not significant. Patient survival (PS) in the LLR group was similar to that in the OLR group. LLR is feasible and safe for elderly patients with solitary, treatment-naïve HCC. The short- and long-term benefits of LLR are evident in geriatric oncological liver surgery patients.

Association of Longitudinal Trajectories of Systolic BP with Risk of Incident CKD: Results from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study

BACKGROUND

Although hypertension is a well known risk factor for CKD, few studies have evaluated the association between temporal trends of systolic BP and kidney function decline in persons without hypertension.

METHODS

We studied whether changes in systolic BP over time could influence incident CKD development in 4643 individuals without CKD and hypertension participating in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study, a prospective community-based cohort study. Using group-based trajectory modeling, we categorized three distinct systolic BP trajectories: decreasing, stable, and increasing. The primary outcome was incident CKD development, defined as two consecutive eGFR measurements <60 ml/min per 1.73 m².

RESULTS

Among participants with an increasing systolic BP trajectory, systolic BP increased from 105 to 124 mm Hg. During 31,936 person-years of follow-up (median 7.7 years), 339 participants developed incident CKD. CKD incidence rates were 8.9, 9.6, and 17.8 cases per 1000 person-years in participants with decreasing, stable, and increasing systolic BP trajectories, respectively. In multivariable cause-specific Cox analysis, after adjustment of baseline eGFR, systolic BP, and other confounders, increasing systolic BP trajectory associated with a 1.57-fold higher risk of incident CKD (95% confidence interval, 1.20 to 2.06) compared with a stable trajectory. There was a significant effect modification of baseline systolic BP on the association between systolic BP trajectories and CKD risk (P value for interaction =0.02), and this association was particularly evident in participants with baseline systolic BP <120 mm Hg. In addition, increasing systolic BP trajectory versus a stable trajectory was associated with higher risk of new development of albuminuria.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing systolic BP over time without reaching the hypertension threshold is associated with a significantly increased risk of incident CKD in healthy adults.

Highlights of the 2018 Chinese hypertension guidelines

Background

Blood pressure (BP) are uncontrolled in over 80% hypertensive population in China, indicating a compelling need for a pragmatic hypertension management strategy. The 2018 Chinese hypertension guidelines issued in 2019, after 3 years revision. During the periods, the latest United States (US) and European guidelines successively published, bringing new thoughts, wisdoms and schemes on hypertension management. This review aims to summarize the highlights of the new Chinese guidelines.

Main text

Despite the fact that the 2017 US hypertension guidelines changed hypertension definition from ≥140/90 mmHg to 130/80 mmHg, the Chinese hypertension guidelines did not follow suit, and maintained 140/90 mmHg as the cut-point of for diagnosis of hypertension. A combined, cardiovascular risks and BP levels-based antihypertensive treatment algorithm was introduced. Five classes of antihypertensive drugs, including β-blockers were recommended as initiation and maintenance of BP-lowering therapy. Initiating combination therapy, including single pill combination (SPC) was indicated in high-risk patients or those with grade 2 or 3 hypertension. For those with grade 1 hypertension (BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg), an initial low-dose antihypertensive drugs combination treatment could be considered.

Conclusions

China has never stopped exploring the best strategy for improving hypertension control. Based on clinical evidence and expertise, the newest Chinese guidelines and expert consensus will be of help in guiding physicians and practitioners to provide better management of hypertension in China.

A Close Relationship between Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Marker and New-Onset Hypertension in Healthy Korean Adults

Background and Objectives

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an excessive accumulation of fat into the liver as a result of increased inflammation and insulin resistance. Although there can be common pathogenic mechanisms for NAFLD and hypertension associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases, little data are showing the association between NAFLD and hypertension in a large-scale cohort study. Thus, we evaluated the ability of the fatty liver index (FLI), a surrogate marker of NAFLD, to predict the development of hypertension in healthy individuals.

Methods

We included 334,280 healthy individuals without known comorbidities who underwent the National Health check-ups in South Korea from 2009 to 2014. The association between the FLI and hypertension was analyzed using multivariate Cox proportional-hazards models.

Results

During a median of 5.2 years' follow-up, 24,678 subjects (7.4%) had new-onset hypertension. We categorized total subjects into quartile groups according to FLI (range: Q1, 0–4.9; Q2, 5.0–12.5; Q3, 12.6–31.0; and Q4, >31.0). The incidence of hypertension was higher in subjects with the highest FLI than in those with the lowest FLI (Q4, 9,968 [11.9%] vs. Q1, 2,277 [2.7%]; p<0.001). There was a significant correlation between the highest FLI and an increased risk of new-onset hypertension (adjusted hazard ratio between Q4 and Q1, 2.330; 95% confidence interval, 2.218–2.448; p<0.001). FLI was significantly associated with an increased risk of new-onset hypertension regardless of baseline characteristics.

Conclusions

Higher FLI was independently associated with increased risk of hypertension in a healthy Korean population.

A 2020 Vision of Hypertension

Hypertension is a common chronic disease affecting a large section of the general population. Hypertension is highly prevalent in the elderly because blood pressure (BP) rises with age. The risk of developing hypertension increases with predisposing genes, intrauterine growth retardation, prematurity and childhood obesity. BP is easier to control in the young. Non-pharmacological treatment through lifestyle changes, such as weight control and leisure-time physical activity, is more likely to be successful in young people. Hypertension in older adults is more difficult to control, requiring the use of more than one antihypertensive drug. Adverse effects and compliance become problematic. Much research is now directed at novel ways of controlling BP such as denervation. The change in definition of hypertension in the American guideline highlights the need to identify and manage hypertension early, at a stage when it is potentially reversible.

Updated Reasons and Clinical Implications of New Korean Hypertension Guidelines for Cardiologists

Leaving behind substantial reflections or skepticisms on the shortage of evidences about blood pressure (BP) thresholds for antihypertensive drug therapy and target BPs, major hypertensive guidelines including Korean hypertension guidelines were recently updated for earlier and more intensive control of BP. Because hypertension is one of the major risk factors for death, stroke, cardiovascular (CV) disease, heart failure, and cognitive impairment, substantial improvement of hypertension management is necessary to reduce disease and socioeconomic burdens and to promote CV health. Theoretically, earlier intervention in terms of age and BP level and thorough control of BP into within normal range would prevent or delay major adverse CV events. Revised hypertension guidelines were developed by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association, Korean Society of Hypertension, European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension, and Japanese Society of Hypertension in order. In this article, recent updates and clinical significances of the Korean hypertension guidelines will be discussed with comparison of foreign hypertension guidelines and considerable changes in the management of hypertension will be introduced for cardiologists and general practitioners.

Potential impact of 2018 Korean Society of Hypertension guidelines on Korean population: a population-based cohort study

Background

The Korean Society of Hypertension (KSH) revised the local guidelines for hypertension in 2018. The present study sought to evaluate the potential impact of the 2018 KSH guidelines on hypertension management status among the Korean population in terms of prevalence of hypertension, antihypertensive medical treatment recommendations, and control status in Korean adults.

Methods

We used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to estimate the number and percentage of Korean adults who have hypertension according to blood pressure (BP) classification, are recommended to receive antihypertensive medical treatment, and are receiving medical treatment and have BP in the optimal range according to the new recommendations. Adults aged 30 years or older who participated in the survey between 2013 and 2015 were selected for this study.

Results

The prevalence of hypertension was 30.5% among Korean adults aged 30 years or older. The percentage of subjects who are recommended to be treated with antihypertensive medications substantially increased from 32.5 to 37.8%, which translates to 1.6 million adults. Among the hypertensive patients who were receiving medical treatment, 38.6% were shown to have adequate BP levels as recommended by the 2018 KSH guidelines compared with 51.8% according to the previous 2013 guidelines.

Conclusions

The present study reports the potential impact of the 2018 KSH guidelines on the prevalence of hypertension, antihypertensive medical treatment recommendations, and control status for Korean adults. The 2018 KSH guidelines recommend more intensive BP control compared with previous guidelines. This study suggests that there is large scope for improvement in hypertension management in the Korean population.

Self-reported diet management, dietary quality, and blood pressure control in Korean adults with hypertension

OBJECTIVES

Hypertension control is a major public health concern. Daily preventive practices of the affected individual are essential for controlling blood pressure (BP). We investigated the association of diet management practice, dietary quality, and BP control among Korean adults with known hypertension.

METHODS

We included 4107 participants aged 40-79 years who reported physician-diagnosed hypertension in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2016. Dietary management practice was defined by self-report, and dietary intakes were assessed by a 24-h dietary recall. Dietary quality and adherence were evaluated based on the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) using food and nutrient intakes assessed by a 24-h dietary recall. BP control was defined as systolic/diastolic BP < 140/90 mmHg.

RESULTS

While the prevalence of dietary management was higher in women than men, BP control rate was not different by sex. Dietary management practice had no significant association with BP control in both men and women. Only in men, dietary quality was positively associated with BP control (OR: 1.10 per KHEI 10 score increase, 95% CI: 1.00-1.20, p-value = 0.04). Men who had a highly adherent diet seemed to have a higher possibility of BP control, but there was no statistical significance (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 0.84-2.81, p-value = 0.16).

CONCLUSIONS

A high-quality diet was positively associated with BP control in Korean men aware of their hypertension. Our findings highlight the beneficial impact of dietary management as a means for achieving blood pressure control.

2017 ACC/AHA Blood Pressure Classification and Cardiovascular Disease in 15 Million Adults of Age 20-94 Years

The 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) high blood pressure (BP) guideline lowered the cut-off for hypertension, but its age-specific association with cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains inconclusive in different populations. We evaluated the association between high BP according to the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline and CVD risks in Koreans aged 20-94 years. In a nationwide health screening cohort, we included 15,508,537 persons aged 20-94 years without prior CVD. BP was categorized into normal, elevated, stage 1 hypertension, or stage 2 hypertension. The primary outcome was a composite CVD hospitalization (myocardial infarction, stroke, and/or heart failure). Over 10 years of follow-up, CVD incidence rates per 100,000 person-years were 105.4, 168.3, 215.9, and 641.2 for normal, elevated BP, stage 1, and stage 2 hypertension, respectively. The age-specific hazard ratios of stage 1 hypertension compared to normal BP were 1.41 (1.34-1.48) at ages 20-34, 1.54 (1.51-1.57) at ages 35-49, 1.38 (1.35-1.40) at ages 50-64, 1.21 (1.19-1.24) at ages 65-79, and 1.11 (1.03-1.19) at ages 80-94 years. With the lowered BP cut-off, 130/80 mmHg, population attributable fraction for CVD was 32.2%. In conclusion, stage 1 hypertension was significantly associated with a higher CVD risk across entire adulthood. The new definition of hypertension may have a substantial population impact on primary CVD prevention.