The correlation between neck circumference and risk factors in patients with hypertension: What matters

Neck Circumference Cut-Off Points for Identifying Adiposity: Association with Chronic Metabolic Diseases in Older People

BACKGROUND

The leading cause of death in older people is cardiovascular diseases. Several studies have found that neck circumference (NC) is a simple anthropometric marker associated with adiposity. The aim of this study is to estimate and validate NC cut-off points as adiposity markers and analyze their association with cardiovascular and chronic metabolic diseases in older people.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study in 358 non-disabled, community-dwelling older people (71.7 ± 3.9 years) living in Santiago de Chile and participating in the HTSMayor study was conducted. Measurements of body composition and cardiovascular risks were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and multiple logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association of NC with cardiovascular and chronic metabolic diseases. NC cut-off points were obtained to predict obesity, abdominal obesity, and adiposity.

RESULTS

The best performance values of neck circumference relative to obesity and adiposity were obtained with respect to abdominal obesity (40.6 cm in men and 34.2 cm in women). Higher NC values were associated with a higher area under the curve (AUC) for men and women (men: AUC = 0.84; women: AUC = 0.86). NC was significantly associated with a higher risk for diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.95), hypertension (OR = 2.42), acute myocardial infarction (OR = 4.36), and comorbidities (OR = 2.01), and a lower risk for sarcopenia (OR = 0.35).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that NC is a useful tool for detecting abdominal obesity, obesity, and adiposity in older people and that a higher NC increases the risk of chronic diseases.

The association between physical activity and neck circumference with cardiovascular disease risk in older wheelchair users

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between physical activity, neck circumference, and cardiovascular disease risk in older wheelchair users.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SUBJECTS/PATIENTS

Sixty-one Korean wheelchair users aged 50 years and older.

METHODS

Physical activity was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Neck circumference was measured with a tape ruler. Cardiovascular disease risk was evaluated by calculating the Framingham risk score (FRS) for estimating 10-year cardiovascular disease risk, which was classified as low-moderate (19% or less) or high risk (20% or more).

RESULTS

The FRS for 10-year cardiovascular disease risk was inversely related to physical activity (beta [SE] = -0.213 (0.103), p = 0.043) and positively related to neck circumference (beta [SE] = 1.331 ± 0.419, p = 0.003). Binary logistic regression showed that those with low physical activity (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 4.256 (1.188~15.243), p = 0.026) or a large neck circumference (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 3.645 (1.172~11.338), p = 0.025) had a higher risk for high cardiovascular disease risk compared with those with high physical activity or normal neck circumference.

CONCLUSION

The current study findings suggest that an intervention targeting physical inactivity and upper-body obesity should be implemented to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in older wheelchair users.

Hypertension prevalence in Iran's elderly according to new criteria: the Tehran Geriatric Eye Study

Purpose

To determine the prevalence of hypertension in a population above 60 years of age and its relationship with demographic and anthropometric factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in 2019. Using a multistage random cluster sampling, 160 clusters were selected from 22 districts of Tehran. All participants were interviewed to collect demographic, anthropometric, and socioeconomic information. Then, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were measured under standard conditions twice, 10 min apart. A third measurement was performed if the two measurements showed a difference of ≥ 10 mmHg in SBP or ≥ 5 mmHg in DBP. Hypertension was defined as a SBP > 130 mmHg or a DBP > 80 mmHg (new criteria), being a known case of hypertension, or use of blood pressure lowering medications.

Results

Of 3791 invitees, 3310 participated in the study (87.3%). The mean age of the participants was 68.25 ± 6.54 years (60-97 years). The prevalence of hypertension was 81.08% (95% CI: 79.57-82.59) in the whole sample; 82.96% (95% CI: 81.02-84.91) in females, and 79.15% (95% CI: 76.6 -81.69) in males. The prevalence of hypertension ranged from 75.47% (95% CI: 72.65-78.29) in the age group 60-64 years to 88.40% (95% CI: 83.71-93.08) in the age group ≥ 80 years. The prevalence of hypertension unawareness was 32.84% (95% CI: 30.82-34.86). The highest and lowest prevalence of hypertension was seen in illiterate subjects (89.41%) and those with a university education (77.14%), respectively. According to the multiple logistic regression analysis, older age, lower education level, obesity and overweight, neck circumference, and diabetes were significantly associated with the prevalence of hypertension.

Conclusion

A significant percentage of Iranian elderly have hypertension and one of every 3 affected individuals is unaware of their disease. Considering the population aging in Iran, urgent and special attention should be paid to the elderly population. Caring for the elderly, informing families, and using non-traditional screening methods are recommended by families at the first level and policymakers at the macro level.

Association of neck circumference and waist-hip ratio with total leukocyte count in healthy Indian adolescents

OBJECTIVES

One of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease is obesity, particularly abdominal and visceral obesity. Another concern for it is inflammation. Both risk factors are interrelated as obesity is a state of subacute low-grade systemic inflammation. As neck circumference and waist-hip ratio are potential indicators of obesity, we wanted to compare the level of total leukocyte count in subjects with normal and high neck circumference and waist-hip ratio. We also wanted to observe whether there is any correlation between neck circumference and waist-hip ratio with total leukocyte count.

METHODS

We selected 62 subjects (30 males, and 32 females) for the study. Both males and females were categorized into groups of normal and high neck circumference and waist-hip ratios. The total leukocyte count was compared among the groups and we correlated neck circumference and waist-hip ratios with total leukocyte count. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS version 23.0.

RESULTS

We observed a statistically significant higher value of total leukocyte count in males with a high waist-hip ratio. But there was not a significant increase in TLC in males with high neck circumference. In females, the values were insignificant. On Pearson correlation, there was a negative correlation between neck circumference, waist-hip ratio, and total leukocyte count in both genders which is not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that waist-hip ratio rather than neck circumference might be a proxy measure of a marker of inflammation in males.

Relationship Between Neck Circumference and Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in a Bushehr Elderly Health Study

Metabolic syndrome includes a set of metabolic disorders such as obesity, high blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, lipid disorders, and glucose intolerance. In this cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study, 2,426 people were selected from the 60 years old and above population of Bushehr for a second-phase investigation of the relationship between neck circumference (NC) and cardiometabolic risk factors in the elderly people. The data (mean and standard deviation) were analyzed using STATA MP Version 15 software. The results of the study showed that the average age of all elderly participants in the study was 69.34 ± 6.39 years. The mean and standard deviation of the NC index in men, women, and all participants were 39.31 ± 2.89, 34.86 ± 2.84, and 37.00 ± 3.62, respectively. The mean and standard deviation of most laboratory indicators (triglyceride [TG], total cholesterol [TC], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], high-density lipoprotein [HDL]) were significantly higher in women, and there was no significant difference in fasting blood glucose (FBG) between men and women. NC index in the total population was significantly associated with all risk factors of metabolic syndrome (body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure) and laboratory indicators (FBG, TG, TC, LDLC, and HDL). The present study shows that the NC index can be a good predictor for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome and visceral adipose tissue in the elderly.

Neck Circumference and Blood Pressure Measurements among Walter Sisulu University Students

Hypertension is a public health problem in South Africa. Increases in subcutaneous fat, presented by the neck circumference (NC) value, contribute to and predict the development of hypertension. However, to date, there has been no study done to investigate the relationship between the NC and blood pressure (BP) among historically disadvantaged university students. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the NC and BP among Walter Sisulu University students. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Walter Sisulu University. All 127 students were aged 18 years and above and underwent NC and clinical BP measurements using standard procedures. In a Pearson's correlation analysis, the NC positively correlated with both the systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r = 0.5; p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r = 0.3; p < 0.001). Furthermore, in the multivariable-adjusted regression analysis, the NC was positively associated with both the SBP (adjusted R² = 0.3, β = 2.0 (95% CI = 1.1; 2.9), p < 0.001) and DBP (adjusted R² = 0.1 β = 0.950 (95% CI = 0.3; 1.6), p = 0.008) adjusted for age, gender, body mass index, waist-to-height ratio, alcohol, and smoking. The NC is related to BP among historically disadvantaged university students.

Control and complications of diabetes in urban primary care units in Thailand: a cross-sectional study

Background

Primary health care system plays a central role in caring for persons with diabetes. Thai National Health Examination Survey (NHES) reports that only 40% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) achieve optimal glycemic control. We sought to evaluate the quality of diabetic care (QOC), prevalence of microvascular complications, and associated risk factors among T2DM patients treated at primary care units in urban areas in Thailand.

Methods

A population-based, cross-sectional study of 488 T2DM patients aged over 35 years from 25 primary care units in Samutsakhon, Thailand was conducted during February 2018 to March 2019. Clinical targets of care (TOC) and processes of care (POC) were measured to evaluate QOC. Multivariate logistic regression models were applied to explore the association between risk factors and glycemic control.

Results

41.2% of women and 44.4% of men achieved hemoglobin A1C (A1C) < 53 mmol/mol, while 31.3% of women and 29.7% of men had poor glycemic control (A1C > 63 mmol/mol). 39 participants (8%) achieved all TOC and 318 participants (65.2%) achieved all POC. Significant risk factors for poor glycemic control included diabetes duration > 6 years (AOR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.20–2.79), being overweight (AOR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.58–4.08), obesity (AOR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.05–2.89), triglycerides > 1.7 mmol/l (AOR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.25–2.78), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥ 2.6 mmol/l (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.04–2.28). On the other hand, participants aged > 65 years (AOR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.14–0.55) or achieved TOC indicators (AOR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.43–0.89) were significantly associated with glycemic control. Diabetic retinopathy was significantly related to obesity (AOR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.00–4.86), over waist circumference (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI = 0.77–2.31), and diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg (AOR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.48–1.96).

Conclusion

Access to essential diabetic screening in primary care units is crucial to determine status of disease control and guide disease management. Duration of T2DM, high body mass index, triglyceride and LDL-C were independently associated with poor glycemic control. Obesity was highly associated with diabetes retinopathy. Effort should be taken seriously toward monitoring these factors and providing effective care.

Neck circumference is independently associated with metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Recent compelling evidence has shown that neck circumference (NC), as a reliable and convenient anthropometric index, has better predictive values of hyperuricemia and insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared with traditional anthropometric measurements. Since both PCOS and metabolic syndrome (MetS) share similar characteristics and affect long-term health of women, we conducted this cross-sectional study to explore the correlation of NC with MetS and metabolic risk factors. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, glycemic and lipid profile of 633 PCOS and 2,172 non-PCOS women from January 2018 to June 2021 were analyzed. The results showed that the prevalence of MetS was 28.0% and 9.4% in PCOS and non-PCOS women, respectively. The prevalence of MetS, hypertention, obesity, central obesity, hyperglycemia and dyslipidaemia was also significantly higher in both PCOS and non-PCOS women with larger NC. Additionally, logistic regression analysis showed that PCOS women in the highest quartile of NC had the highest prevalence of MetS (RR = 9.94, 95%CI: 2.41-40.99) after adjusting for confounding factors, while the association between NC and MetS was much attenuated after adjusting for confounding factors in non-PCOS women. Furthermore, we also identified that the optimal NC cutoff value was 33 cm in PCOS women for the prediction of MetS. The potential mechanism could be attributed to the increased release of adipokines and excessive free fatty acids release from subcutaneous adipose tissue, which consequently precipitate the development of MetS. In conclusion, NC was found to be positively and independently correlated with the prevalence of MetS.

Self-reported sleep-disordered breathing and insomnia in association with hypertension: a community-based study in Eastern China

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore the associations of self-reported sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and insomnia with hypertension based on a community-based survey among adults in Suzhou, Eastern China.

METHODS

The Suzhou Food Consumption and Health Survey was conducted from 2018 to 2019. A multistage random sampling method was used to recruit potential participants. Associations of SDB and insomnia with hypertension were examined by multivariable logistic regression models with adjustment for covariates. In addition, sensitivity analysis was used to reinforce our findings.

RESULTS

A total of 2728 participants were included in the final analysis. SDB (OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.44-2.34; P < 0.001) and insomnia (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.04-1.65; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with prevalent hypertension after multivariable adjustments. In the subgroup analysis by age groups and sex, the association between SDB and hypertension persisted in all groups, whereas the association between insomnia and hypertension remained significant in males and different age groups. In addition, SDB was positively correlated with DBP. Notably, participants with comorbid SDB and insomnia had the highest risk for hypertension (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.40-2.72; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Both SDB and insomnia were associated with the prevalence of hypertension among the Chinese adults, whereas the comorbid conditions conveyed the highest risk for hypertension. Our findings provide a new insight for the potential pathogenesis of hypertension and a prevention strategy of hypertension among community adults.

Ferroptosis: New Dawn for Overcoming the Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases

The dynamic balance of cardiomyocytes and neurons is essential to maintain the normal physiological functions of heart and brain. If excessive cells die in tissues, serious Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases would occur, namely, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke. The regulation of cell death plays a role in promoting or alleviating Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent new type of cell death that has been proved to occur in a variety of diseases. In our review, we focus on the critical role of ferroptosis and its regulatory mechanisms involved in Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases, and discuss the important function of ferroptosis-related inhibitors in order to propose potential implications for the prevention and treatment of Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases.

Relationship between Cardiovascular Disease Risk and Neck Circumference Shown in the Systematic Coronary Risk Estimation (SCORE) Risk Model

INTRODUCTION

The most important way to reduce CVD-related mortality is to apply appropriate treatment according to the risk status of the patients. For this purpose, the SCORE risk model is used in Europe. In addition to these risk models, some anthropometric measurements are known to be associated with CVD risk and risk factors.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the association of these anthropometric measurements, especially neck circumference (NC), with the SCORE risk chart.

METHODS

This was planned as a cross-sectional study. The study population were classified according to their SCORE risk values. The relationship of NC and other anthropometric measurements with the total cardiovascular risk indicated by the SCORE risk was investigated.

RESULTS

A total of 232 patients were included in the study. The patients participating in the study were analysed in four groups according to the SCORE ten-year total cardiovascular mortality risk. As a result, the NC was statistically significantly lower among the SCORE low and moderate risk group than all other SCORE risk groups (low-high and very high 36(3)-38(4) (IQR) p: 0.026, 36(3)-39(4) (IQR) p < 0.001, 36(3)-40(4) (IQR) p < 0.001), (moderate-high and very high 38(4) vs. 39(4) (IQR) p: 0.02, 38(4) vs. 40(4) (IQR) p < 0.001, 39(4) vs. 40(4) (IQR) p > 0.05). NC was found to have the strongest correlation with SCORE than the other anthropometric measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

Neck circumference correlates strongly with the SCORE risk model which shows the ten-year cardiovascular mortality risk and can be used in clinical practice to predict CVD risk.

Comparison of six assessment tools to screen for obstructive sleep apnea in patients with hypertension

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often accompanied by other complications, especially hypertension.

Hypothesis

The purpose of this study is to compare the application value of six tools in the screening of OSA in patients with hypertension. Compared with other questionnaires, we hypothesized that Berlin performed better in screening hypertensive patients suspected of OSA.

Methods

In this study, we collected the basic data and polysomnography (PSG) data of patients diagnosed with hypertension who underwent PSG at the Sleep Medicine Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from April 2012 to March 2021. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, area under the curv (AUC) and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of the six screening tools were then calculated, and their correlation with the sleep apnea hypopnea index (AHI) analyzed.

Results

There were 303 males (303/398, 76.1%) out of 398 hypertension patients suspected of OSA. The area under the curve of the Berlin questionnaire's receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve reached 0.753 (95%CI: 0.707–0.794). When the AHI was 5, 15 and 30 times/h as the cut‐off points, the sensitivity and negative predictive value of Berlin were the highest at 0.947 and 0.630, 0.970 and 0.851, and 0.988 and 0.957 respectively, while the specificity and positive predictive value of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were the highest at 0.696 and 0.729, 0.750 and 0.887, and 0.674 and 0.575 respectively. The DOR value of the Berlin questionnaire could reach 18.333 when the AHI cut‐off point was 30 times/h. Berlin had the largest rank correlation coefficient with AHI at 0.466.

Conclusion

The Berlin questionnaire can be considered a priority for the screening and stratifying of hypertensive patients suspected of OSA.