US trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension, 1988-2008

Physician Trust and Home Remedy Use Among Low-Income Blacks and Whites with Hypertension: Findings from the TRUST Study

INTRODUCTION

Home remedies are used for the treatment of hypertension despite unsubstantiated claims of their effectiveness. Home remedy use is often attributed to mistrust towards healthcare providers. Few studies examine the relationship between home remedy use and physician trust. The objective of this study was to examine and compare the association between home remedy use and trust in physicians in a cohort of low-income Blacks and Whites with hypertension living in an inner city in Alabama.

METHODS

A cross-sectional examination was conducted among 925 Black and White patients receiving care at an urban hospital. Data was collected from in-person surveys. Trust in physicians was self-reported using the Hall General Trust Scale which included questions about honesty, confidentiality, and trust. Home remedy use was self-reported using the Brown and Segal scale which included questions about home remedy use and types of home remedies used. Covariates included demographic factors such as age, race, gender, and health outcomes. Data were analyzed using linear regression.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight percent of Black and 15% of White participants reported home remedy use (p = 0.001). Black home remedy users (38.9) and non-users (39.3) had similar trust scores (p = 0.582). Whites home remedy users (32.9) reported lower trust in physicians than White non-users (37.7) (p = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

Black home remedy users, non-users, and White non-users reported similar trust scores; the lowest trust scores were found among White home remedy users. Home remedy use was higher among Black participants. Future studies should examine the context of mistrust and home remedy use among Whites.

A review of the clinical anatomy of hypertension

Hypertension is defined as the persistent elevation of blood pressure above normal limits. It can be classified according to whether the contributing factors are genetics and environmental (primary hypertension) or underlying medical conditions and medications (secondary hypertension). The goal of this review is to increase recognition of the various anatomical etiologies of hypertension. Clin. Anat. 32:678-681, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Microvascular narrowing and BP monitoring: A single centre observational study

Introduction

Half of all hypertensive individuals have inadequately-controlled BP because monitoring methods are ineffective. This single centre study examined consecutive subjects undergoing 24 hour BP measurements for clinic and ambulatory BP levels, and for end-organ damage (retinal microvascular abnormalities and left ventricular hypertrophy, LVH, > 1.1 cm). Retinal images were graded for microvascular retinopathy (Wong and Mitchell classification), and vessel calibre using a semiautomated method. Features were compared using chi-squared, Fisher’s exact or the student’s t test.

Methods

One hundred and thirty-one individuals (59 male, 45.0%, mean age 61.7 ± 14.5 years) were studied. Ninety-nine (76.2%) had a clinic BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg, 84 (64.6%) had a mean awake systolic BP ≥ 135 mm Hg, 100 (76.9%) had a mean sleeping systolic BP ≥ 120 mm Hg, and 100 (76.2%) had abnormal nocturnal BP dipping patterns. Sixty-nine individuals had undergone echocardiography and 23 (33.3%) had LVH.

Results

All participants had a mild (88.5%) or moderate (11.5%) microvascular retinopathy. Moderate microvascular retinopathy was found in 86.7% of those with a mean awake systolic BP ≥135 mm Hg (p = 0.058) but was not associated with other abnormal BP measurements, abnormal dipping patterns or LVH. However retinal arteriole calibre was reduced in subjects with a mean 24 hour awake systolic BP ≥ 135 mm Hg (p = 0.05). Retinal arteriole calibre was smaller in subjects with LVH (128.1 ± 13.5 μm compared with 137.6 ± 14.1 μm in normals, p = 0.014). Venular calibre was also less in subjects with LVH (185.4 ± 24.6 μm compared with 203.0 ± 27.2 μm in normals, p = 0.016). Arteriole narrowing predicted an increased risk of LVH (AUC 0.69, 95%CI 0.55 to 0.83) that was comparable with 24 hour systolic BP ≥130 mm Hg (AUC 0.68, 95%CI 0.53 to 0.82) and mean awake systolic BP ≥135 mm Hg (AUC 0.68, 95%CI 0.54 to 0.83).

Conclusions

This study suggests that retinal arteriole narrowing may be equally accurate in predicting LVH as any clinic or ambulatory BP measurement. The convenience and accuracy of microvascular calibre measurement mean that it should be investigated further for a role in routine hypertension assessment and monitoring.

Hypertension Associated with Fructose and High Salt: Renal and Sympathetic Mechanisms

Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular and chronic renal disease. Despite multiple important strides that have been made in our understanding of the etiology of hypertension, the mechanisms remain complex due to multiple factors, including the environment, heredity and diet. This review focuses on dietary contributions, providing evidence for the involvement of elevated fructose and salt consumption that parallels the increased incidence of hypertension worldwide. High fructose loads potentiate salt reabsorption by the kidney, leading to elevation in blood pressure. Several transporters, such as NHE3 and PAT1 are modulated in this milieu and play a crucial role in salt-sensitivity. High fructose ingestion also modulates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Recent attention has been shifted towards the contribution of the sympathetic nervous system, as clinical trials demonstrated significant reductions in blood pressure following renal sympathetic nerve ablation. New preclinical data demonstrates the activation of the renal sympathetic nerves in fructose-induced salt-sensitive hypertension, and reductions of blood pressure after renal nerve ablation. This review further demonstrates the interplay between sodium handling by the kidney, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and activation of the renal sympathetic nerves as important mechanisms in fructose and salt-induced hypertension.

Health-related quality of life among rural men and women with hypertension: assessment by the EQ-5D-5L in Jiangsu, China

PURPOSE

Hypertension is a major global public health problem, including rural China. However, studies examining health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients with hypertension have been mostly conducted in urban populations. This study aimed to use the EuroQol five-dimensional-five-level (EQ-5D-5L) and its recently developed Chinese value set to analyze HRQoL and its influencing factors among hypertensive population in rural China.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional population-based survey. Standard interview of participants was conducted from July to September 2016 in Donghai County's 334 villages of Jiangsu Province, China. Data collection included the EQ-5D-5L, along with sociodemographic characteristics and disease-related factors such as duration of hypertension, antihypertensive treatment and comorbid conditions. The Tobit regression model was employed to analyze potential influencing factors on HRQoL.

RESULTS

A total of 16,596 adults (18 years and older) with hypertension participated in this study. 62.4% were women. The mean utility score was 0.85 (standard deviation [SD] = 0.23). The proportion of participants reporting pain/discomfort problems was highest, while least patients reported problems in self-care dimension. Females, elderly, illiterate patients, ex-smokers and patients with longer duration of hypertension or comorbidities scored lower on HRQoL than others. Stroke, heart failure and coronary heart disease were associated with a larger negative impact on HRQoL among all comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

The HRQoL was lower in this rural hypertensive population than previously reported urban counterparts. To improve the HRQoL of hypertensive patients in rural areas, it is important to control hypertension and prevent its associated co-morbidities. More attention needs to be directed to elderly female patients with less education who scored much lower HRQoL than their male counterparts.

Association of depression with mortality in an elderly treated hypertensive population

ABSTRACTBackground:Both elevated blood pressure and/or depression increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. This study in treated elderly hypertensive patients explored the incidence of depression, its association (pre-existing and incident) with mortality and predictors of incident depression.

METHODS

Data from 6,083 hypertensive patients aged ≥65 years enrolled in the Second Australian National Blood Pressure study were used. Participants were followed for a median of 10.8 years (including 4.1 years in-trial) and classified into: "no depression," "pre-existing" and "incident" depression groups based on either being "diagnosed with depressive disorders" and/or "treated with an anti-depressant drug" at baseline or during in-trial period. Further, we redefined "depression" restricted to presence of both conditions for sensitivity analyses. For the current study, end-points were all-cause and any cardiovascular mortality.

RESULTS

313 (5%) participants had pre-existing depression and a further 916 (15%) participants developed depression during the trial period (incidence 4% per annum). Increased (hazard-ratio, 95% confidence-interval) all-cause mortality was observed among those with either pre-existing (1.23, 1.01-1.50; p = 0.03) or incident (1.26, 1.12-1.41; p < 0.001) depression compared to those without. For cardiovascular mortality, a 24% increased risk (1.24, 1.05-1.47; p = 0.01) was observed among those with incident depression. The sensitivity analyses, using the restricted depression definition showed similar associations. Incident depression was associated with being female, aged ≥75 years, being an active smoker at study entry, and developing new diabetes during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

This elderly cohort had a high incidence of depression irrespective of their randomised antihypertensive regimen. Both pre-existing and incident depression were associated with increased mortality.

Relationship between a Weighted Multi-Gene Algorithm and Blood Pressure Control in Hypertension

Hypertension (HTN) is a complex disease with interactions among multiple organ systems, including the heart, vasculature, and kidney with a strong heritable component. Despite the multifactorial nature of HTN, no clinical guidelines utilize a multi-gene approach to guide blood pressure (BP) therapy. Non-smokers with a family history of HTN were included in the analysis (n = 384; age = 61.0 ± 0.9, 11% non-white). A total of 17 functional genotypes were weighted according to the previous effect size in the literature and entered into an algorithm. Pharmacotherapy was ranked from 1–4 as most to least likely to respond based on the algorithmic assessment of individual patient’s genotypes. Three-years of data were assessed at six-month intervals for BP and medication history. There was no difference in BP at diagnosis between groups matching the top drug recommendation using the multi-gene weighted algorithm (n = 92) vs. those who did not match (n = 292). However, from diagnosis to nadir, patients who matched the primary recommendation had a significantly greater drop in BP when compared to patients who did not. Further, the difference between diagnosis to current 1-year average BP was lower in the group that matched the top recommendation. These data suggest an association between a weighted multi-gene algorithm on the BP response to pharmacotherapy.

Implementing Home Blood Pressure Monitoring into Clinical Practice

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review data supporting the use of home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) and provide practical guidance to clinicians wishing to incorporate HBPM into their practice.

RECENT FINDINGS

HBPM more accurately reflects the risk of cardiovascular events than office blood pressure measurement. In addition, there is high-quality evidence that HBPM combined with clinical support improves blood pressure control. Therefore, HBPM is increasingly recommended by guidelines to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension and evaluate the efficacy of blood pressure-lowering medications. Nevertheless, HBPM use remains low due to barriers from the patient, clinician, and healthcare system level. Understanding these barriers is crucial for developing strategies to effectively implement HBPM into routine clinical practice. HBPM is a valuable adjunct to office blood pressure measurement for diagnosing hypertension and guiding antihypertensive therapy. Following recommended best practices can facilitate the successful implementation of HBPM and impact how hypertension is managed in the primary care setting.

Effect of plasma MicroRNA on antihypertensive response to beta blockers in the Pharmacogenomic Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses (PEAR) studies

β-blockers show variable efficacy as antihypertensives. Herein, we evaluated plasma miRNAs as biomarkers for defining antihypertensive response to β-blockers. Expression of 22 β-blocker pharmacodynamics-related miRNAs was assessed in baseline plasma samples from 30 responders and 30 non-responders to metoprolol from the PEAR-2 study (Discovery). Logistic regression was performed to identify miRNAs significantly associated with metoprolol response. Those miRNAs were profiled in baseline plasma samples from 25 responders and 25 non-responders to atenolol from the PEAR study (validation). In discovery, miR-101, miR-27a, miR-22, miR-19a, and let-7e were significantly associated with metoprolol response (P = 0.01, 0.017, 0.025, 0.025, and 0.04, respectively). In validation, miR-19a was significantly associated with atenolol response (P = 0.038). Meta-analysis between PEAR-2 and PEAR revealed significant association between miR-19a (P = 0.004), miR-101 (P = 0.006), and let-7e (P = 0.012) and β-blocker response. Hence, miR-19a, miR-101, and let-7e, which regulate β1-adrenergic receptor and other β-blocker pharmacodynamics-related genes, may be biomarkers for antihypertensive response to β-blockers.

Antihypertensive Treatment Patterns and Blood Pressure Control in Older Adults: Results from the Berlin Aging Study II

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is highly prevalent in older adults and represents a major public health issue since recognition, awareness, treatment and control are insufficient. Analyses of prescription patterns in conjunction with clinical parameters can provide novel insights into the current practice of hypertension management and help to identify barriers to sufficient hypertension control.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted. Prevalence of hypertension, patterns of antihypertensive therapy, and determinants of blood pressure (BP) control were examined in the Berlin Aging Study II cohort, including 1654 community-dwelling older adults (60-85 years of age).

RESULTS

Of the participants, 75.9% had hypertension; 40.6% of these were not prescribed BP medications. Lack of hypertension awareness, younger age, absence of comorbidities, not being on a statin, and not having visited a physician in the past 3 months were associated with lack of treatment. Forty-two percent of treated hypertensive individuals received monotherapy and 58.0% received combination therapy. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors, and β-blockers were most commonly prescribed, while calcium channel blockers were least prescribed. Only 38.5% of treated hypertensive individuals had their BP controlled to < 140/90 mmHg. Number and choice of BP medications were not predictive of BP control; neither were age, glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c), kidney function, or number of healthcare visits. However, female sex, lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and current smoking, amongst others, were positively associated with BP control. There was evidence of significant effect modification by statins in the association of LDL-C and BP.

CONCLUSION

The majority of older adults do not reach BP goals. Antihypertensive prescription patterns do not conform to current guidelines. Using more BP medications was not associated with higher odds of BP control. Lowering LDL-C might be favorable in terms of BP control.

Variation in the diagnosis and control of hypertension is not explained by conventional variables: Cross-sectional database study in English general practice

Background

Hypertension is a major cause of preventable disability and death globally and affects more than one in four adults in England. Unwarranted variation is variation in access, quality, outcome or value which is unexplained by differences in the condition or patient characteristics and which reduces quality and efficiency. Distinguishing unwarranted from variation due to clinical, organisational or patient factors can be challenging. We carried out this study to explore inter-practice variation in the diagnosis and management of hypertension in the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research and Surveillance Centre (RSC) network database, a large, representative surveillance database.

Methods and finding

We carried out a cross-sectional study using primary care data extracted from the electronic health records of 1,271,419 adults registered at RCGP RSC general practices on 31^st December 2016. Logistic regression was used to indirectly standardise practice-level hypertension prevalence and control against the RCGP RSC population, adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity, deprivation, co-morbidity, NHS region and practice size. Inter-practice variation was demonstrated using funnel plots with 95% and 99.8% control limits. The prevalence of detected hypertension was 18.4% (95% CI 18.4–18.5), n = 234,165. Uncontrolled hypertension was present in 146,553 of 196,052 individuals, 25.2% (25.1–25.4), in whom blood pressure had been recorded in the previous year. Hypertension management varied markedly between practices with a three-fold difference in prevalence, 13.5–38.4%, and a four-fold difference in the proportion of uncontrolled hypertension, 11.8–47.9%. Despite adjustment for sociodemographic and practice characteristics funnel plots demonstrated marked over-dispersion.

Conclusions

Substantial variation in the prevalence of diagnosed hypertension and the management of hypertension was only partially explained by characteristics captured within a routine dataset. The over-dispersion suggests variation is not fully explained by these factors and that context, behaviour and processes of care delivery may contribute to variation. Routine data sources in isolation to not provide sufficient contextual data to diagnose the causes of variation.

Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine for patients with postmenopausal hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Chinese herbal medicine has been increasingly used for patients with postmenopausal hypertension in China. A comprehensive literature search was performed in 7 electronic databases from their inception up to December 17, 2017 to examine the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine for postmenopausal hypertension. Thirty-nine randomized controlled trials involving 3, 823 participants were included. Meta-analyses favored Chinese herbal medicine plus antihypertensive drugs on blood pressure, blood pressure variability, postmenopausal symptoms, quality of life, and hormone levels compared with antihypertensive drugs. No severe adverse effects were identified. Er-xian decoction was the most frequently prescribed herbal formula, while Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. was the most commonly used single herb. Chinese herbal medicine as complementary therapy maybe beneficial for postmenopausal hypertension. However, the effectiveness and safety of the decoction are still uncertain due to methodological shortcomings. Well-conducted trials are warranted to resolve the issue.

A community-wide quality improvement initiative to improve hypertension control and reduce disparities

Initiatives to improve hypertension control within academic medical centers and closed health systems have been extensively studied, but large community-wide quality improvement (QI) initiatives have been both less common and less successful in the United States. The authors examined a community-wide QI initiative across 226 843 patients from 198 practices in nine counties across upstate New York to improve hypertension control and reduce disparities. The QI initiative focused on (a) providing population and practice-level comparative data, (b) community engagement, especially in underserved communities, and (c) practice-level quality improvement assistance, but was not designed to examine causality of specific components. Across the nine counties, hypertension control rates improved from 61.9% in 2011 to 69.5% in 2016. Improvements were greatest among whites (73.7%-81.5%) and more modest among black patients (58.8%-64.7%). The authors noted a considerable improvement in BP within the group of patients with the highest risk (defined as a BP ≥ 160/100) and a decrease in disparities within this group. The quality collaborative identified five key lessons to help guide future community initiatives: (a) anticipate a plateauing of response; (b) distinguish the needs of disparate populations and create subpopulation-specific strategies to address and reduce disparities; (c) recognize the variation across low SES practices; (d) remain open to the refinement of outcome measures; and (e) continually seek best practices and barriers to success. Overall, a large community-wide QI initiative, involving multiple different stakeholders, was associated with improvements in BP control and modest reductions in some targeted disparities.

Current status of stroke in Qatar: Including data from the BRAINS study

BACKGROUND

Qatar is located on the north-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Qatari natives account for less than 15% of the population while the largest migrant group comprising 60% derives from South Asia. Despite projections that stroke burden in Qatar will increase with population ageing, epidemiological studies focusing on stroke in Qatar are relatively scarce.

METHOD

We reviewed the available epidemiological publications relating to Qatar. In addition, we have added to this knowledge by incorporating Qatari data from the on-going Bio-Repository of DNA in Stroke, an independent multinational database of stroke patients.

RESULTS

Qatar has low reported incidence and mortality rates of 58 and 9.17 per 100,000 per year, respectively, which may be explained by its middle-aged migrant worker majority population. Correspondingly, South Asian migrants in Qatar suffered younger strokes than Qatari natives (48.7 vs 63.4 years, P < 0.001). Among the most common risk factors identified in stroke patients were hypertension (77.9%), diabetes (43.8%) and hypercholesterolemia (28.5%). Ischaemic stroke was the most frequent subtype amongst migrant South Asians (71.1%). The majority of stroke cases had computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging scans, but only 11.1% of ischaemic strokes were thrombolysed. Qataris on one-year follow up were more often found to have died (6.5% vs 0.3%) and had further stroke/transient ischaemic attack events (17.4% vs 6.4%, P = 0.009) compared to South Asians.

CONCLUSION

The burden of stroke is increasing in Qatar, and considerable disparities are observed between the native and migrant populations which likely will require different approaches to management by its healthcare system.

The association between physician's affiliation and patients' adherence to their antihypertensive medication and pharmaceutical knowledge

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to examine whether or not the type of physician is associated with the knowledge of and adherence to hypertensive medication among patients.

METHODS

The study was a self-administered questionnaire survey among patients who submitted their prescriptions for antihypertensive drugs to 13 pharmacies in Japan in 2006. We compared patients' knowledge of their medications and the self-reported adherence according to the type of physician.

RESULTS

A total of 736 patients were surveyed, and 687 (362 from clinics and 325 from hospitals) were analyzed. In total, 51.8% of the patients correctly named their antihypertensive medicine, with no significant differences observed between clinics and hospitals (51.4% in clinics vs 52.3% in hospitals; P = 0.81, adjusted odds ratio (OR) to the hospital: 0.736, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50-1.08). Significant differences were not observed in the knowledge of the frequency with which hypertensive medication was supposed to be taken (47.2% in clinics vs 46.5% in hospitals; P = 0.84, adjusted OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.55-1.16), nor observed in the knowledge of the side effects of the medication (53.2% in clinics vs 51.0% in hospitals; P = 0.57, adjusted OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 0.78-1.68). No significant difference was observed in self-reported adherence (75.1% in clinics vs 77.7% in hospitals; P = 0.42, adjusted OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.46-1.16).

CONCLUSIONS

About 75% answered that they were taking their medication as instructed. No significant differences were observed in responses based on the physician's affiliation. Further studies are needed to achieve better patient's adherence and pharmaceutical knowledge.

Cardiovascular risk factors from diagnosis in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND

For childhood onset type 1 diabetes (T1D), the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is greatly accelerated and results in early cardiovascular disease (CVD) and increased mortality. However, cardioprotective interventions in this age group are not routinely undertaken.

AIMS

To document prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors from diagnosis of childhood T1D and their relationship with disease duration and ethnicity.

METHODS

Routinely collected clinical records for 565 children with T1D were retrospectively analyzed. Data were collected from diagnosis and at routine check-ups at pediatric diabetes clinics across Barts Health National Health Service Trust. Age at diagnosis was 8.5 years (0.9-19.4). Mean follow-up 4.3 years (0-10.8). 48% were boys and 60% were non-white. Linear longitudinal mixed effects models were used to evaluate relationships between risk factors and diabetes duration.

RESULTS

CVD risk factors were present at first screening; 33.8% of children were overweight or obese, 20.5% were hypertensive (elevated diastolic blood pressure (BP)) and total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were abnormal in 63.5%, 34.2% and 22.0%, respectively. Significant associations between diabetes duration and annual increases of body mass index (0.6 kg/m²), BP (0.1 SD score) and lipids (0.02-0.06 mmol/L) were noted. Annual increases were significantly higher in black children for BP and Bangladeshi children for lipids. Bangladeshi children also had greatest baseline levels.

CONCLUSIONS

CVD risk factors are present in up to 60% of children at diagnosis of T1D and increase in prevalence during the early years of the disease. Commencing screening in younger children and prioritizing appropriate advice and attention to ethnic variation when calculating risk should be considered.

Renal Effects of Cytokines in Hypertension

Preclinical studies point to a key role for immune cells in hypertension via augmenting renal injury and/or hypertensive responses. Blood pressure elevation in rheumatologic patients is attenuated by anti-inflammatory therapies. Both the innate and adaptive immune systems contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension by modulating renal sodium balance, blood flow, and functions of the vasculature and epithelial cells in the kidney. Monocytes/macrophages and T lymphocytes are pivotal mediators of hypertensive responses, while dendritic cells and B lymphocytes can regulate blood pressure indirectly by promoting T lymphocytes activation. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-17 (IL-17), and interferon-γ (IFN), amplify blood pressure elevation and/or renal injury. By contrast, interleukin-10 (IL-10) protects against renal and vascular function when produced by T helper 2 cells (Th2) and regulatory T cells (Treg). Thus, understanding the renal effects of cytokines in hypertension will provide targets for precise immunotherapies to inhibit targeted organ damage while preserving necessary immunity.

Effect of BMI and Its Optimal Cut-Off Value in Identifying Hypertension in Uyghur and Han Chinese: A Biethnic Study from the China National Health Survey (CNHS)

Objective

The effect of adiposity on hypertension among Uyghur Chinese is not clear. This study aimed to compare the effect of BMI and its optimal cut-off value in identifying hypertension in Uyghur and Han adults in China.

Methods

By using a multistage stratified sampling method, 3072 Uyghur and 3195 Han adults underwent questionnaire interview, physical examination, and biochemical tests. Age- and sex-standardized prevalence of hypertension was calculated. Adjusted odds ratios for adiposity associated with hypertension were estimated. ROC analyses were used for assessing the ethnic and sex specific optimal BMI cut-off values in identifying hypertension.

Results

Both in Uyghur and Han, increased BMI was consistent with the elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Although more Uyghur were overweight/obese, their standardized prevalence of hypertension (17.87%) was lower than that of Han (20.28%). Han adults had 1.42 times odds than Uyghur of hypertension. The adjusted ORs of overweight and obesity were 2.67 and 6.04 in Uyghur and 2.74 and 7.58 in Han. In male, the optimal cut-off values of BMI identifying hypertension in Uyghur and Han were 24.6 kg/m² and 24.9 kg/m² , respectively, but the correspond values in Uyghur and Han females were 27.2 kg/m² and 25.0 kg/m².

Conclusions

Adiposity had strong effect on hypertension, but this effect was less strong in Uyghur female than in Han female.

Sex differences in the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in China: a systematic review with meta-analyses

Hypertension is the major cause of preventable disease burden in China. However, limited evidence is available on sex differences in the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension. We assessed sex differences in the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in China. A systematic search of four English language and four Chinese-language databases was conducted to identify studies conducted from 2005 that reported sex-specific data on the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in China. Random-effects meta-analysis weighted by the inverse of the variances were used to obtain pooled sex-specific rates and women-minus-men differences, and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Overall, 57 studies comprising 2,155,829 individuals (55% women) were included. Awareness (53% in women vs. 47% in men), treatment among all (44% vs. 38%), treatment among aware (65% vs. 60%), control among all (17% vs. 14%), and control among treated (27% vs. 27%) were low for both sexes, but more favourable in women than men. The corresponding women-minus men difference was 7% (95% CI: 6; 8%) for awareness, 6% (5; 8%) for treatment among all, 6% (2; 9%) for treatment among aware, 3% (2; 3%) for control among all, and 0% (-2; 1%) for control among treated. Awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in China is low in both sexes, but greater in women than men. Sex-specific interventions may be needed to efficiently combat the burden of hypertension.

Hypertension as a predictor of advanced colorectal cancer outcome and cetuximab treatment response

Background

Adrenergic receptor stimulation is involved in the development of hypertension (htn) and has been implicated in cancer progression and dissemination of metastases in various tumours, including colon cancer. Adrenergic antagonists such as beta-blockers (bbs) demonstrate inhibition of invasion and migration in colon cancer cell lines and have been associated with decreased mortality in colorectal cancer (crc). We examined the association of baseline htn and bb use with overall (os) and progression-free survival (pfs) in patients with pretreated, chemotherapy refractory, metastatic crc (mcrc). We also examined baseline htn as a predictor of cetuximab efficacy.

Methods

Using data from the Canadian Cancer Trials Group co.17 study [cetuximab vs. best supportive care (bsc)], we coded baseline htn and use of anti-htn medications, including bbs, for 572 patients. The chi-square test was used to assess the associations between those variables and baseline characteristics. Cox regression models were used for univariate and multivariate analyses of os and pfs by htn diagnosis and bb use.

Results

Baseline htn, bb use, and anti-htn medication use were not found to be prognostic for improved os. Baseline htn and bb use were not significant predictors of cetuximab benefit.

Conclusions

In chemorefractory mcrc, neither baseline htn nor bb use is a significant prognostic factor. Baseline htn and bb use are not predictive of cetuximab benefit. Further investigation to determine whether baseline htn or bb use have a similarly insignificant impact on prognosis in patients receiving earlier lines of treatment remains warranted.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation and racial/ethnic disparities in food and beverage purchases

OBJECTIVE

The current study aimed to (i) describe racial/ethnic disparities in household food and beverage purchases among participants and non-participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and (ii) examine longitudinal associations between SNAP participation and purchases by race/ethnicity.

DESIGN

To describe disparities, we estimated sociodemographic-adjusted mean purchases of seven unhealthy food and beverage groups (e.g. junk food, sugar-sweetened beverages) and four nutrients (e.g. sugar, Na) among white, black and Hispanic SNAP-participating and non-participating households. To examine longitudinal associations, we used multivariable linear regression with household fixed effects.

SETTING

USA, 2010-2014.

SUBJECTS

Food and beverage purchases among low-income (≤250 % federal poverty line) US households (n 30 403) participating in the Nielsen Homescan Panel.

RESULTS

Among non-participants, there were significant black-white disparities (i.e. differences favouring white households) in households' adjusted mean purchases of processed meat, sweeteners, sugar-sweetened beverages, energy and Na. These disparities persisted among SNAP participants. In contrast, the only significant Hispanic-white disparity among non-participants was for Na purchases; this disparity was reduced in magnitude and no longer significant among SNAP-participating households. Additionally, Hispanic households purchased less energy from junk foods than white households, regardless of SNAP status. In longitudinal models accounting for household fixed effects, SNAP participation was associated with increased energy purchased among black households. No other significant longitudinal associations between SNAP and purchase outcomes were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

SNAP may not be meeting its potential to improve food and beverage purchases or reduce disparities. Research is needed to identify strategies for ensuring nutritious purchases across all racial/ethnic groups.

VEGF-C attenuates renal damage in salt-sensitive hypertension

Salt-sensitive hypertension is a major risk factor for renal impairment leading to chronic kidney disease. High-salt diet leads to hypertonic skin interstitial volume retention enhancing the activation of the tonicity-responsive enhancer-binding protein (TonEBP) within macrophages leading to vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) secretion and NOS3 modulation. This promotes skin lymphangiogenesis and blood pressure regulation. Whether VEGF-C administration enhances renal and skin lymphangiogenesis and attenuates renal damage in salt-sensitive hypertension remains to be elucidated. Hypertension was induced in BALB/c mice by a high-salt diet. VEGF-C was administered subcutaneously to high-salt-treated mice as well as control animals. Analyses of kidney injury, inflammation, fibrosis, and biochemical markers were performed in vivo. VEGF-C reduced plasma inflammatory markers in salt-treated mice. In addition, VEGF-C exhibited a renal anti-inflammatory effect with the induction of macrophage M2 phenotype, followed by reductions in interstitial fibrosis. Antioxidant enzymes within the kidney as well as urinary RNA/DNA damage markers were all revelatory of abolished oxidative stress under VEGF-C. Furthermore, VEGF-C decreased the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio and blood pressure as well as glomerular and tubular damages. These improvements were associated with enhanced TonEBP, NOS3, and lymphangiogenesis within the kidney and skin. Our data show that VEGF-C administration plays a major role in preserving renal histology and reducing blood pressure. VEGF-C might constitute an interesting potential therapeutic target for improving renal remodeling in salt-sensitive hypertension.

Inflammation in Salt-Sensitive Hypertension and Renal Damage

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Low-grade inflammation drives elevations in blood pressure (BP) and consequent target organ damage in diverse experimental models of hypertension. Here, we discuss recent advances elucidating immune-mediated mechanisms of BP elevation and associated target organ damage.

RECENT FINDINGS

Inflammatory mediators produced by immune cells or target organs act on the kidney, vasculature, skin, and nervous system to modulate hypertension. For example, cells of the innate immune system, including monocytes, neutrophils, and dendritic cells (DCs), can all promote BP elevation via actions in the vasculature and kidney. Macrophages expressing VEGF-C impact non-osmotic sodium storage in the skin that in turn regulates salt sensitivity. Within the adaptive immune system, activated T cells can secrete tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-17a (IL-17a), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), each of which has augmented BP and renal damage in pre-clinical models. Inversely, deficiency of IL-17a in mice blunts the hypertensive response and attenuates renal sodium retention via a serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1)-dependent pathway. Linking innate and adaptive immune responses, dendritic cells activated by augmented extracellular sodium concentrations stimulate T lymphocytes to produce pro-hypertensive cytokines. By contrast, regulatory T cells (Tregs) can protect against hypertension and associated kidney injury. Rodent studies reveal diverse mechanisms via which cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems drive blood pressure elevation by altering the inflammatory milieu in the kidney, vasculature, and brain.

Adequate control of hypertension among older adults: ELSI-Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of adequate control of hypertension among older adults and to examine its association with predisposing and enabling factors and the need to use health services.

METHODS

The analysis was carried out with 4,148 participants (≥ 50 years) from the baseline of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), who reported being hypertensive and using antihypertensive medication. Adequate control of hypertension was defined as systolic and diastolic blood pressure below 140 mmHg and 90 mmHg, respectively. The following exploratory variables were included: age, sex, health behaviors, and body mass index (predisposing factors); region of residence, rural or urban residence, education level, socioeconomic status of the household, and coverage by private health plan (enabling factors); and medical diagnosis of diabetes (need). The multivariate analysis was performed using Poisson regression and binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

The prevalence of adequate control of hypertension was equal to 51.1% (95%CI 48.5-53.6). After adjusting for potential confounders, we observed statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) for education level > 4 years [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.12 in relation to the lowest level], highest quintile of the socioeconomic status (PR = 1.22 in relation to the lowest quintile), coverage by private health plan (PR = 1.13), residence in the South (PR = 1.19) and Midwest regions (PR = 1.20) in relation to the Southeast region, and obesity (PR = 1.10).

CONCLUSIONS

Half of the population studied had adequate control of hypertension. The improvement of this control is an important challenge, which should consider overcoming social and regional inequalities associated with it.

Relationship of sleep duration on workdays and non-workdays with blood pressure components in Chinese hypertensive patients

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the relationship of sleep duration on workdays and non-workdays with BP components [systolic BP (SBP), diastolic (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP)] among Chinese hypertensive adults. Methods: The study included 3,376 hypertensive patients without antihypertensive treatment. Self-reported sleep durations on workdays and non-workdays were measured by the questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association of sleep duration with BP components. Results: Overall, compared with a sleep duration of 5-9 h, individuals who slept ≥10 h on both workdays and non-workdays were positively correlated with SBP [β (95% CIs) = 3.99 (1.06, 6.93) and 4.33 (1.79, 6.87)] and PP [β (95% CIs) = 3.25 (0.71, 5.79) and 3.05 (0.85, 5.25)], but not with DBP. Moreover, individuals who slept ≥10 h only on non-workdays had higher MAP [β (95% CIs) = 2.30 (0.63, 3.97)]. The stratified analyses showed that subjects with a BMI ≥24 kg/m² in the longer sleep duration group (≥10 h) only on workdays compared to the reference group had higher SBP, DBP and MAP (all P for interaction <0.05). The effect of longer sleep duration on BP components showed no difference in the following subgroups: sex, age, smoking and drinking (all P for interaction >0.05). Conclusion: Compared with a sleep duration of 5-9 h, longer sleep duration (≥10 h) on workdays and non-workdays was associated with high SBP and PP among Chinese hypertensive adults without antihypertensive treatment.

Prevalence of Self-Reported Hypertension in Deaf Adults Who Use American Sign Language

BACKGROUND

In the United States, roughly one-third of adults have hypertension; another third have prehypertension. The prevalence of hypertension in deaf American Sign Language (ASL) users is unknown. We address this gap through a descriptive study for the prevalence of hypertension in the American Deaf community and discuss future directions to address this issue.

METHODS

Self-reported data for 1,388 ASL using deaf adults were compared with a secondary data of 2,830 English-speaking hearing adults. Frequency and percentages were used to describe the prevalence of hypertension in the deaf community. Age-weighted analysis was used to compare unmodifiable risk factors and hypertension rate between deaf and hearing adults.

RESULTS

Deaf and hearing samples' hypertension rates for gender and age were similar. Significant group differences between deaf and hearing samples emerged across race. Compared with the hearing controls, our deaf sample demonstrated a significantly decreased risk for hypertension with a prevalence of 37% (compared with 45% in the hearing sample).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the hypertension rate for gender and age was similar across deaf and hearing samples, between-group disparities exist for race. The lower rate of hypertension in our deaf sample is likely a consequence of underdiagnoses due to lower health literacy and poor patient-physician communication. Furthermore, deaf black Americans' lower rates compared with hearing black Americans may be due to poor patient-physician communication, not having regular providers or social stressors. It is recommended that modifiable risk factors and social determinants be investigated to determine their effect on hypertension within the deaf community.

Ethnic differences in hypertension prevalence and contributing determinants - the HELIUS study

AIMS

There are important ethnic differences in the prevalence of hypertension and hypertension-mediated cardiovascular complications, but there is ongoing debate on the nature of these differences. We assessed the contribution of lifestyle, socio-economic and psychosocial variables to ethnic differences in hypertension prevalence.

METHODS

We used cross-sectional data from the Healthy Life In an Urban Setting (HELIUS) study, including 21,520 participants aged 18-70 years of South-Asian Surinamese ( n = 3032), African Surinamese ( n = 4124), Ghanaian ( n = 2331), Turkish ( n = 3594), Moroccan ( n = 3891) and Dutch ( n = 4548) ethnic origin. Ethnic differences in hypertension prevalence rates were examined using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

After adjustment for a broad range of variables, significant higher hypertension prevalence compared to the Dutch population remained in Ghanaian men (odds ratio 2.62 (95% confidence interval 2.14-3.22)) and women (4.16 (3.39-5.12)), African Surinamese men (1.62 (1.37-1.92)) and women (2.70 (2.29-3.17)) and South-Asian Surinamese men (1.22 (1.15-1.46)) and women (1.84 (1.53-2.22)). In contrast, Turkish men (0.72 (0.60-0.87)) and Moroccan men (0.50 (0.41-0.61)) and women (0.57 (0.46-0.71)) had a lower hypertension prevalence compared with the Dutch population. The differences in hypertension prevalence were present across different age groups and persisted after stratification for body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio.

CONCLUSION

Large ethnic differences in hypertension prevalence exist that are already present in young adulthood. Adjustment for common variables known to be associated with a higher risk of hypertension explained the higher adjusted prevalence rates among Turks and Moroccans, but not in African and South-Asian descent populations who remained to have a higher rate of hypertension compared to the Dutch host population.

Twenty-year time trends in hypertension prevalence in Yi people of China: three successive cross-sectional studies, 1996-2015

OBJECTIVE

To explore the trend of hypertension prevalence and related factors in Yi people from 1996 to 2015.

METHODS

Three successive cross-sectional surveys were conducted in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in 1996, 2007 and 2015, respectively. A total of 8448 participants aged 20-80 years (5040 Yi farmers, 3408 Yi migrants) were included in final analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, the age-standardised prevalence of hypertension in migrants was significantly higher than in farmers. Furthermore, the age-standardised prevalence rates increased from 10.1% to 15.3% to 19.6% in Yi migrants and from 4.0% to 6.3% to 13.1% in Yi farmers during 1996 to 2007 to 2015. The highest 2015-to-1996 ratio of age-standardised hypertension prevalence was in male farmers (ratio=4.30), whereas despite the highest prevalence of hypertension, the equivalent figure in male migrants was 1.57. The older age, overweight and obesity were persistent risk factors of hypertension in three periods. After adjusted for age and body mass index, the difference of hypertension prevalence between 1996 and 2015 then vanished in male migrants (OR=1.335; 95% CI: 0.884 to 2.015) and female farmers (OR=1.267; 95% CI: 0.590 to 2.719). The disparities of hypertension prevalence between Yi migrants and farmers were not statistically significant in all subgroups when adjusted for age, body mass index and education.

CONCLUSIONS

Over the past two decades, the hypertension prevalence in Yi people has significantly increased. Yi migrants were more likely to be hypertensive than Yi farmers which was predominantly driven by the discrepancy of body mass index between them.

Temporal trends in age at ischemic stroke onset by ethnicity

PURPOSE

To explore temporal trends in age at first-ever ischemic stroke onset in a bi-ethnic, population-based study.

METHODS

Cases of first-ever ischemic stroke (n = 3252) were identified in the Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi Project (2000-2012). Demographics and risk factors were abstracted from medical records. Trends in age at stroke onset were assessed overall and by ethnicity (Mexican American [MA] and non-Hispanic white [NHW]) using generalized additive models. Differences by ethnicity were tested by including an interaction term between time and ethnicity. Models were run unadjusted and adjusted for age of the population at risk for stroke.

RESULTS

Mean age at first-ever ischemic stroke significantly decreased from an average of 71.7 years in 2000 to an average of 69.3 years in 2012 (p = .0043). Ethnicity significantly modified the temporal trends (p < .001) with declines greater in NHWs than in MAs; mean age was estimated to decrease from 74.8 to 71.3 over the 13 years for NHWs, whereas for MAs, mean age was estimated to decrease from 68.9 to 66.9 after adjusting for ethnic-specific average age of the population at risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Average age at first-ever stroke onset declined over time in this community. Efforts should be made to prevent stroke by controlling risk factors before and during midlife.

The effect of dexmedetomidine on the perioperative hemodynamics and postoperative cognitive function of elderly patients with hypertension: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Cognitive dysfunction after surgery, a common clinical manifestation of postoperative psychonosema. It usually occurs after heart surgery, hip replacement, mandibular fractures, and other major operations. Dexmedetomidine can exert sedative, analgesic, anxiolytic effect, inhibits the sympathetic activity, maintains hemodynamic balance, helps reduce the amount of anesthetic agents, and relatively slightly depresses respiration. Preoperative administration of dexmedetomidine for sedation has been reported to reduce the incidence of acute postoperative delirium. But currently there is no study on the effect of dexmedetomidine on the postoperative cognitive function of elderly patients with essential hypertension.

METHODS/DESIGN

This study is a prospective, single-center, double-blind controlled clinical trial. Elderly patients aged between 60 and 80 years old, diagnosed with primary hypertension for 1 year or longer will be included, and randomized into 2 groups. Patients in observational group will be given a loading dose of dexmedetomidine at 0.8 μg/kg, pumped for over 10 minutes. Although patients in control group will be pumped of the same volume of normal saline within 10 minutes, before the induction of anesthesia. Minimental state examination and levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and C-reactive protein will be set as primary endpoints. Baseline characteristics of patients will be summarized by groups and compared using Chi-square or Fisher exact tests for categorical variables and 2-sample t tests or Wilcoxon rank sum test for the continuous variables. Repeated measurement analysis of covariance model will also be used for the comparison of endpoints between 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

The present study is designed to investigate the effect of the application of dexmedetomidine on postoperative myocardial injury and postoperative cognitive dysfunction, also to explore the association between inflammatory factors and postoperative cognitive function. With this study, we are expecting to find out an appropriate anesthesia method for elderly people with hypertension to alleviate the postoperative adverse effects caused by medical treatments.

TRIALS REGISTRATION

This study was registered on Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn/) with the ID ChiCTR-IPR-16009156.

Before the here and now: What we can learn from variation in spatiotemporal patterns of changing heart disease mortality by age group, time period, and birth cohort

One hypothesized explanation for the recent slowing of declines in heart disease death rates is the generational shift in the timing and accumulation of risk factors. However, directly testing this hypothesis requires historical age-group-specific risk factor data that do not exist. Using national death records, we compared spatiotemporal patterns of heart disease death rates by age group, time period, and birth cohort to provide insight into possible drivers of trends. To do this, we calculated county-level percent change for five time periods (1973-1980, 1980-1990, 1990-2000, 2000-2010, 2010-2015) for four age groups (35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74), resulting in eight birth cohorts for each decade from the 1900s through the 1970s. From 1973 through 1990, few counties experienced increased heart disease death rates. In 1990-2000, 49.0% of counties for ages 35-44 were increasing, while all other age groups continued to decrease. In 2000-2010, heart disease death rates for ages 45-54 increased in 30.4% of counties. In 2010-2015, all four age groups showed widespread increasing county-level heart disease death rates. Likewise, birth cohorts from the 1900s through the 1930s experienced consistently decreasing heart disease death rates in almost all counties. Similarly, with the exception of 2010-2015, most counties experienced decreases for the 1940s birth cohort. For birth cohorts in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, increases were common and geographically widespread for all age groups and calendar years. This analysis revealed variation in trends across age groups and across counties. However, trends in heart disease death rates tended to be generally decreasing and increasing for early and late birth cohorts, respectively. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that recent increases in heart disease mortality stem from the beginnings of the obesity and diabetes epidemics. However, the common geographic patterns within the earliest and latest time periods support the importance of place-based macro-level factors.

Sex and Age Differences in the Association of Blood Pressure and Hypertension with Cognitive Function in the Elderly: The Rancho Bernardo Study

OBJECTIVES

This study examines sex and age differences in associations of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), pulse pressure and hypertension with cognitive function in a community-dwelling population.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Research clinic visit in 1988-91.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were 693 men and 1022 women aged 50-97 Measurements: Blood pressure was measured and 12 cognitive function tests were administered.

RESULTS

Average age was 73.8±9.9 in men and 73.2±9.3 in women; 62.6% of men and 63.4% of women were hypertensive (SBP≥140 mmHg, DBP≥90 mmHg, or antihypertensive medication use). Each 5-unit increment in SBP, DBP, or pulse pressure and categorical hypertension was associated with significantly increased odds of poor verbal fluency performance in men and poor Trails B performance in women, with strongest associations for hypertension (OR=1.97, CI:1.01,3.85 in men; OR=1.51, CI:1.01,2.26 in women). After age stratification, associations remained statistically significant in younger (<80 years ) but not older (≥80 years) participants.

CONCLUSION

Blood pressure as a continuous or categorical variable was associated with poor performance on cognitive function tests, but domains varied by sex and associations were found only in those younger than 80 years. The absent associations in those aged 80 years and older could support the hypothesis that increased blood flow is required to maintain cerebral perfusion with advancing age, or could reflect a survivor effect.

Divergent Blood Pressure Response After High-Intensity Interval Exercise: A Signal of Delayed Recovery?

Hunter, GR, Fisher, G, Bryan, DR, Borges, JH, and Carter, SJ. Divergent blood pressure response after high-intensity interval exercise: a signal of delayed recovery? J Strength Cond Res 32(11): 3004-3010, 2018-The objective of this commentary is to highlight potential factors influential to the adaptation of high-intensity exercise. Herein, we present a rationale supporting the contention that elevated systolic blood pressure, after a bout of high-intensity exercise, may be indicative of delayed/incomplete recovery. Relative to type I skeletal muscle fibers, the unique cellular/vascular characteristics of type II muscle fibers may necessitate longer recovery periods, especially when exposed to repeated high-intensity efforts (i.e., intervals). In addition to the noted race disparities in cardiometabolic disease risk, including higher mean blood pressures, African Americans may have a larger percentage of type II muscle fibers, thus possibly contributing to noted differences in recovery after high-intensity exercise. Given that optimal recovery is needed to maximize physiological adaptation, high-intensity training programs should be individually-tailored and consistent with recovery profile(s). In most instances, even among those susceptible, the risk to nonfunctional overreaching can be largely mitigated if sufficient recovery is integrated into training paradigms.

Genome-wide association analysis of common genetic variants of resistant hypertension

Resistant hypertension (RHTN), defined as uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) ≥ 140/90 using three or more drugs or controlled BP (<140/90) using four or more drugs, is associated with adverse outcomes, including decline in kidney function. We conducted a genome-wide association analysis in 1194 White and Hispanic participants with hypertension and coronary artery disease from the INternational VErapamil-SR Trandolapril STudy-GENEtic Substudy (INVEST-GENES). Top variants associated with RHTN at p < 10^-4 were tested for replication in 585 White and Hispanic participants with hypertension and subcortical strokes from the Secondary Prevention of Subcortical Strokes GENEtic Substudy (SPS3-GENES). A genetic risk score for RHTN was created by summing the risk alleles of replicated RHTN signals. rs11749255 in MSX2 was associated with RHTN in INVEST (odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) = 1.50 (1.2-1.8), p = 7.3 × 10^-5) and replicated in SPS3 (OR = 2.0 (1.4-2.8), p = 4.3 × 10^-5), with genome-wide significance in meta-analysis (OR = 1.60 (1.3-1.9), p = 3.8 × 10^-8). Other replicated signals were in IFLTD1 and PTPRD. IFLTD1 rs6487504 was associated with RHTN in INVEST (OR = 1.90 (1.4-2.5), p = 1.1 × 10^-5) and SPS3 (OR = 1.70 (1.2-2.5), p = 4 × 10^-3). PTPRD rs324498, a previously reported RHTN signal, was among the top signals in INVEST (OR = 1.60 (1.3-2.0), p = 3.4 × 10^-5) and replicated in SPS3 (OR = 1.60 (1.1-2.4), one-sided p = 0.005). Participants with the highest number of risk alleles were at increased risk of RHTN compared to participants with a lower number (p-trend = 1.8 × 10^-15). Overall, we identified and replicated associations with RHTN in the MSX2, IFLTD1, and PTPRD regions, and combined these associations to create a genetic risk score.

Stress management in the workplace for employees with hypertension: a randomized controlled trial

While behavioral interventions can improve blood pressure (BP) in individuals with hypertension, getting such services to people who could benefit remains difficult. Workplace programs have potential as dissemination vehicles. The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized stress management program delivered in groups at the workplace for reducing BP compared with enhanced usual care. This randomized controlled trial studied 92 urban medical center employees with hypertension randomized into two groups. The intervention was a 10-week group workshop on cognitive-behavioral coping skills. Enhanced usual care included self-help materials for BP reduction and physician referral. Intervention group participants' systolic BP (SBP) decreased 7.5 mm Hg over controls between baseline and follow-up, from 149.1 (95% CI: 146.0-152.1) to 140.0 (95% CI: 134.7-145.2), p < .001. The differential change between intervention and enhanced usual care groups (Group × Time interaction) was 7.5 mm Hg (t = -2.05; p = .04). Diastolic BP reductions were not significantly different. Scores on measures of emotional exhaustion and depressive rumination showed significant improvements and correlated with reductions in SBP. There was no significant change in the usual care group. A standardized worksite group intervention produced clinically meaningful reductions in SBP in participants with hypertension.

Modulation of Sympathetic Overactivity to Treat Resistant Hypertension

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the role and evidence for sympathetic overactivity in resistant hypertension and review the therapies that have been studied to modulate the sympathetic nervous system to treat resistant hypertension, with a focus on non-pharmacologic therapies such as renal denervation, baroreflex activation therapy, and carotid body ablation.

RECENT FINDINGS

Based on the two best current techniques available for assessing sympathetic nerve activity, resistant hypertension is characterized by increased sympathetic nerve activity. Several device therapies, including renal denervation baroreflex activation therapy and carotid body ablation, have been developed as non-pharmacologic means of reducing blood pressure in resistant hypertension. With respect to renal denervation, the technologies for renal denervation have evolved since the unfavorable results from the HTN-3 study, and the revised technologies are being actively studied. Data from the first phase of the SPYRAL HTN Clinical Trial Program have been published. Results from the SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED trial suggest that ablating renal nerves can reduce blood pressure in patients with untreated mild-to-moderate hypertension. The SPYRAL HTN-ON MED trial demonstrated the safety and efficacy of catheter-based renal denervation in patients with uncontrolled hypertension on antihypertensive treatment. Interestingly, there was a high rate of medication non-adherence among patients with hypertension in this study. One attractive alternative to radiofrequency ablation is the use of ultrasound for renal denervation. Proof of concept data for the Paradise endovascular ultrasound renal denervation system was recently published in the RADIANCE-HTN SOLO trial. The results of this trial indicate that, among patients with mild to moderate hypertension on no medications, renal denervation with the Paradise system results in a greater reduction in both SBP and DBP at 2months compared with a sham procedure. Overall reductions were similar in magnitude to those noted in the SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED study. With respect to carotid body ablation, there is an ongoing proof of concept study that is investigating the safety and feasibility of ultrasound-based endovascular carotid body ablation in 30 subjects with treatment-resistant hypertension outside of the USA. The sympathetic nervous system is an important contributor to resistant hypertension. Modulation of sympathetic overactivity should be an important goal of treatment. Innovative therapies using non-pharmacologic means to suppress the sympathetic nervous system are actively being studied to treat resistant hypertension.

Time spent at blood pressure target and the risk of death and cardiovascular diseases

BACKGROUND

The time a patient spends with blood pressure at target level is an intuitive measure of successful BP management, but population studies on its effectiveness are as yet unavailable.

METHOD

We identified a population-based cohort of 169,082 individuals with newly identified high blood pressure who were free of cardiovascular disease from January 1997 to March 2010. We used 1.64 million clinical blood pressure readings to calculate the TIme at TaRgEt (TITRE) based on current target blood pressure levels.

RESULT

The median (Inter-quartile range) TITRE among all patients was 2.8 (0.3, 5.6) months per year, only 1077 (0.6%) patients had a TITRE ≥11 months. Compared to people with a 0% TITRE, patients with a TITRE of 3-5.9 months, and 6-8.9 months had 75% and 78% lower odds of the composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and stroke (adjusted odds ratios, 0.25 (95% confidence interval: 0.21, 0.31) and 0.22 (0.17, 0.27), respectively). These associations were consistent for heart failure and any cardiovascular disease and death (comparing a 3-5.9 month to 0% TITRE, 63% and 60% lower in odds, respectively), among people who did or did not have blood pressure 'controlled' on a single occasion during the first year of follow-up, and across groups defined by number of follow-up BP measure categories.

CONCLUSION

Based on the current frequency of measurement of blood pressure this study suggests that few newly hypertensive patients sustained a complete, year-round on target blood pressure over time. The inverse associations between a higher TITRE and lower risk of incident cardiovascular diseases were independent of widely-used blood pressure 'control' indicators. Randomized trials are required to evaluate interventions to increase a person's time spent at blood pressure target.

Strategies for the Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease Complications: Can We Do Better?

Billions of dollars have been spent over the past 25 years on developing new therapies for the prevention/treatment of adverse cardiac events related to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Although some therapies have been lifesaving, several mega-randomized studies have shown only a <2% absolute reduction in adverse events with a large residual event rate. Is all this money well spent? Atherosclerosis develops decades before an adverse event, and the trials previously alluded to have nearly always been applied to secondary prevention, decades after disease initiation. Will earlier intervention result in a lower incidence of events? Individuals with an absence of the usual cardiac risk factors have a lifelong low incidence of events. Early initiation of strategies against the common cardiovascular risk factors in primary or primordial prevention will lower the incidence of adverse events, although many groups have not been well studied, including individuals younger than 40 years of age. New strategies are required to realize a radical reduction in events, and this article proposes new methods of prevention/treatment for coronary artery disease complications.

Prevalence, management and control of hypertension in older adults on admission to hospital

Introduction

The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and management of hypertension among older adults on admission to hospital and to assess the choice of antihypertensive pharmacotherapy in light of relevant comorbid conditions using the national treatment guideline.

Materials and methods

A retrospective cross sectional study of 503 patients aged 65 years or older admitted to a large metropolitan teaching hospital in Sydney Australia was conducted. The main outcome measures were prevalence of hypertension, blood pressure (BP) control, antihypertensive medication use and the appropriateness of antihypertensive medications.

Results

Sixty-nine percent (n = 347) of the study population had a documented diagnosis of hypertension and of these, approximately one third were at target BP levels on admission to hospital. Some concerns regarding choice of antihypertensive noted with 51% of those with comorbid diabetes and 30% of those with comorbid heart failure receiving a potentially inappropriate antihypertensive agent.

Conclusions

Despite the use of antihypertensive pharmacotherapy, many older adults do not have optimal BP control and are not reaching target BP levels. New strategies to improve blood pressure control in older populations especially targeting women, those with a past history of myocardial infarction and those on multiple antihypertensive medications are needed.

Time trends in the prevalence of cancer and non-cancer diseases among older U.S. adults: Medicare-based analysis

Longer lifespan is accompanied by a larger number of chronic diseases among older adults. Because of a growing proportion of older adults in the U.S., this brings the problem of age-related morbidity to the forefront as a major contributor to rising medical expenditures. We evaluated 15-year time trends (from 1998 to 2013) in the prevalence of 48 acute and chronic non-cancer diseases and cancers in older U.S. adults aged 65+ and estimated the annual percentage changes of these prevalence trends using SEER-Medicare and HRS-Medicare data. We found that age-adjusted prevalence of cancers of kidney, pancreas, and melanoma, as well as diabetes, renal disease, limb fracture, depression, anemia, weight deficiency, dementia/Alzheimer's disease, drug/medications abuse and several other diseases/conditions increased over time. Conversely, prevalence of myocardial infarction, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, pneumonia/influenza, peptic ulcer, and gastrointestinal bleeding, among others, decreased over time. There are also diseases whose prevalence did not change substantially over time, e.g., a group of fast progressing cancers and rheumatoid arthritis. Analysis of trends of multiple diseases performed simultaneously within one study design with focus on the same time interval and the same population for all diseases allowed us to provide insight into the epidemiology of these conditions and identify the most alarming and/or unexpected trends and trade-offs. The obtained results can be used for health expenditures planning for growing sector of older adults in the U.S.